Matteo Bocelli’s Early Journey: From Shy Teenager to Rising Global Artist

At just 19 years old—and still a year away from earning worldwide recognition—Matteo Bocelli stepped into the spotlight beside his father, Andrea Bocelli, to record “Fall On Me,” the theme song for Disney’s The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. Long before the world embraced his voice, Matteo had already confided in his parents about his dream of following his father’s musical path.

Andrea later reflected on that moment, admitting the mixture of pride and concern he felt as a parent. “Some time ago Matteo revealed that he would like to follow in my footsteps,” he said. “For a parent, it is difficult to accept and support, because I know very well all the challenges that come with this job. And on top of those, he will also face the difficulties of being the son of an artist.”

Matteo’s first true debut had actually taken place the previous year, when he was just 18. During the 2016 Celebrity Fight Night event, Andrea and music director David Foster unexpectedly called him to the stage. His stepmother, Veronica, recalled how unlikely it seemed that the shy teenager would actually walk up and sing.

“I heard David Foster calling Matteo onstage,” Veronica shared. “I didn’t even turn around at first. I just said, ‘There’s no way he’ll go up there.’ Then I turned and heard his voice. So this year we asked him directly, ‘Matteo, would you like to be there?’ And like many young people who don’t realize the magnitude of what they’re being offered, he simply said, ‘Yeah, okay.’”

For Matteo, the opportunity to sing at the Colosseum was overwhelming in the best possible way. “It’s really exciting,” he said. “Not only because of the incredible celebrities who will be there, but also because of the privilege of singing in such a beautiful setting like the Colosseum. It’s a great honor.”

Andrea knew the performance would be a defining moment in his son’s early career. “Artistically, the task was within his reach,” he explained. “But one must always consider the nerves and the calm that is required. It was a test—an important one.”

Matteo’s First Big Test

When the moment came, Matteo stepped onto the stage with Andrea accompanying him on piano. Despite his earlier fears, he delivered a stunning performance with a powerful and controlled voice that captivated the audience.

Afterward, Matteo admitted, “At the beginning, I was emotional and a bit nervous. But once I get onstage, I relax little by little, and it doesn’t take too long.”

Veronica, who has extensive experience as an artist manager, praised his composure. “Matteo was nervous, but he sometimes shows remarkable maturity. Not detachment exactly, but the calm that comes from knowing something must be done—and so you do it.”

Matteo later added with a smile, “The most emotional moment of the evening was at the end, when the audience began to cheer. Those are little satisfactions.”

Watching proudly from the crowd was his older brother, Amos—the only Bocelli sibling who rarely performs publicly despite being a gifted pianist.

“I cheered from the North stand of the Colosseum, like a true fan,” Amos said. “It was a great emotion for me. But I hope that one day I can say, ‘I’ve gotten used to it.’”

Although Amos has performed with Andrea onstage and contributed to his father’s 2018 album Si, he is currently pursuing a career in his other passion: spatial engineering.

The youngest of the family, Virginia, has also shown her musical talents. She frequently appears in online videos singing with Andrea at home, and she made headlines last year after performing Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” during a Christmas livestream from the Teatro Regio di Parma.

Recently, Andrea and Veronica shared images of themselves with nine-year-old Virginia inside a Miami concert hall—teasing that a new family performance may be revealed soon.

Matteo’s New Chapter

Meanwhile, Amos has had time to adjust to Matteo’s rapidly growing fame. Following the success of “Fall On Me,” Matteo has continued performing around the world while also working on his debut solo album, expected to be released soon.

Fans have watched eagerly as he shares glimpses from the recording studio and videos covering artists like Justin Bieber, hinting at the diversity and confidence shaping his emerging career.

The Legacy of Celebrity Fight Night

Celebrity Fight Night began in Phoenix, Arizona in 1994, combining star power with charitable giving. In 2014, Andrea and Veronica brought the event to Italy, supporting both the Andrea Bocelli Foundation and the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center. Their philanthropic efforts also extend to educational projects and school initiatives in Haiti.