While his companion finishes stirring the saffron risotto, Alessandro Cecchi Paone tells the story of the Golden Tapir on the entrance shelf: “Staffelli brought it to me when I was hosting The Time Machine: two paleontologists had given opposing versions of its features Neck of the Brontosaurus”. It was the time when the journalist with TV Smiles and Songs had sold the Italian version of “Walking with Dinosaurs”, a VHS series dedicated to the world of dinosaurs, and thanks to which he bought a beautiful house in Positano. To find the intruder in this large book-covered room overlooking the Farnesina hills, all you have to do is look at the kitchen wall, where a little witch with bats over her head not only reminds us that Halloween is just over, but also because a little girl celebrated it. “It's Melissa, she's 5 years old and she's Simone's daughter. It's more right for him to talk to you about her. However, the dog's kennel is empty: “Susy, a Labrador puppy that we got to start a family together, is sleeping in it.”
Alessandro Cecchi Paone and Simone Antolini will “get married” on December 22nd in Naples in the Sala della Loggia of the Maschio Angioino Castle. The Civil Union is led by Mayor Gaetano Manfredi and the historic leader of the Radicals Emma Bonino. “We also asked PD Secretary Elly Schlein, but she reacted uncertainly, perhaps we surprised her,” it says. Alessandro's witness is his ex-wife Cristina Navarro; from Simone, his mother Samantha. Melissa will be the bridesmaid, dressed all in red, while Susy will sport a beautiful rainbow bow. The rule of asset separation applies to the union: “In case someone thinks that one of them is doing it out of interest.” No confetti, but the figures of the “spouses” of Maestro Ferrigno from San Gregorio Armeno.
You are 62 and 23 years old. Aren't you worried about the 39 year difference?
Alessandro: “No, I have always dated young partners: they allow me to pour out my protective part, my experience, on them.” On the other hand, I am full of enthusiasm and look to the future.”
Simone: “I had an affair with a doctor who was married with children and who didn't tell me anything… I like Alessandro's maturity, that he has a head on his shoulders.”
– Alessandro Cecchi Paone with Simone Antolini and Melissa, his daughter
Alessandro, what motivated you to “get married”?
“Melissa's presence: knowing that I would really start a family with Simone. The little girl has her mother of course, but I will be there for whatever is needed.
Are you coping?
Alessandro: “Yes, very much. Now we take turns sleeping with the father: when we are all together, we spend a night alone. Even if she cheats every now and then.
Simone: “But he’s 5 years old!”
Tell me something good and something bad about the other.
Simone: “Alessandro’s merit is his wisdom. Although sometimes he tends to be, to put it bluntly, a little self-centered: and that is the mistake.”
Alessandro: “I love Simone's maturity and his way of being a caring father, because I also benefit from it.” Just think of this little lunch: I feel like that every day! The mistake is that he does not assess well the consequences of his actions.
For example?
“For example, when he goes out with friends and forgets to text me that he's going to be late!”.
Well… Who's more jealous?
Simone: “That was me and now I’m no longer.” Alexander wasn’t exactly a saint with a halo from the start. But now I know how he feels about me and I feel calm.”
Alessandro: «I wasn't one and have become a bit one. He's so handsome! I didn't understand that when he returns to Fermo, to his house, to look after the little girl or do his grandmother's hair, he is busy with a thousand tasks and forgets to send me the goodnight message .
Simone: “But in the evening I pass out on the sofa!”
What's your name?
Simone: “Meow.”
Alessandro: “And we also put the cat’s paws in the news.”
– Alessandro Cecchi Paone, 62, and his partner Simone Antolini, 23
Who made the suggestion?
Simone: “It was Alessandro, at the end of the summer, when we all had the opportunity to be together, with my daughter, my mother, his ex-wife, our entire extended family.”
Alessandro: “I had already told him on the Island of the Famous that I wanted us to live together. In Honduras we had the opportunity to be alone a lot, also thanks to the complicity of the authors of the Island of the Famous. We talked about everything and even met our shadows. If you accept them, there will be nothing left to divide you.”
Simone, how did your daughter's mother react to the news of your relationship?
“Let’s say he accepts it now. It was more difficult with my parents. But the intervention of Maurizio Costanzo on television dispelled their doubts.”
The most beautiful trip?
Alessandro: “When we went to Singapore for my birthday.”
Simone: “When he took me to Paris for my birthday.”
Alessandro: “He loves Edith Piaf and Joséphine Baker.”
Your song?
Simone: “In the beginning I Love You Baby by Jovanotti”.
Let's talk about the beginnings here.
Simone: “We were in lockdown and I started watching general TV for the first time. I was impressed with Alessandro's communication skills. So I wrote to him on Instagram.
Alessandro: “A few weeks later I was a speaker at a conference in Pescara and suggested that he come along. But I couldn't free myself in time. I was afraid I would never see him again, but when I went to another conference in Rimini in May, he came and it all started.”
Who prepares the coffee?
Alessandro: “Simone, and she puts him to bed. I've never had it before, but it makes it so good with mocha.
Simone, which book by Alessandro do you prefer?
“5G code: a masterpiece”.
The best gift you gave yourself?
Alessandro: “One day I received an inflatable hydromassage tub for my house in Positano. Another, a 50-inch flat-screen television that we now watch TV series on, a discovery thanks to him and Melissa. He manages to intercept desires that I would never have allowed myself as a good Calvinist.”
Simone: “The trip to Paris for my birthday was definitely a wonderful surprise.”
What do you most like to do together?
Alessandro: “Valeria Marini would say love…”.
A cuteness?
“At night I touch it and smell it: I like the feeling of it being there.”
Simone, aren't you afraid of being labeled “husband of”?
“No, because everyone goes their own way. I take care of the family farm. Now we are about to get 400 new cattle, which is quite a challenge.”
Is loyalty a value?
Simone: “Of course.”
Alessandro: “When we talked about the civil partnership, he said to me: “It will be my only marriage, I want it to be beautiful.””