THEand Christmas holidays are now a memory and also Friends 25 returns to normality and its place in the schedule. Maria De Filippi returns to the air today, Sunday 11 January, with a new appointment at 2pm on Canale 5. This is the first first episode of 2026, recorded last Thursday. The race towards the Evening thus comes to life and, even if there are still nineteen kids in the running to move on to the next phasetension is high in the school. Who will continue to chase the dream of victory?
Friends 25previews of the January 11th episode, guests, ranking challenges
To sing, Maria De Filippi has called two of the next protagonists of the Sanremo Festival: Mara Sattei, presents Above mesingle released last November 21st. The singer anticipated that the new recording project will be divided into two parts, one to be released before the Festival and one after. AND to Friends 25 Nicolò Filippucci also returns, eliminated in the semi-final ad Friends 24despite being one of the most loved competitors. Indeed, the most loved of all.
Nicolo Filippucci returns to Friends 25 as a winner of Sanremo Youth
The elimination of Nicolò Filippucci from the last edition of the Canale 5 talent show had sparked a real revolt among the fans, who had not accepted the exclusion of the young Umbrian singer-songwriter from the final. Maria De Filippi told him that success is built outside the program. And he was right. In December Nicolò won Sanremo Youth with the song Lagoon (the same one who sings today) earning access to the Ariston among the New Proposals of Sanremo Festival 2026.
Nicolò Filippucci (Mediaset)
The professors take their seats
For this episode Maria De Filippi chose not to invite any external judges. Thus, it is up to the professors to draw up the category rankings. For singing, Lorella Cuccarini, Anna Pettinelli and Rudy Zerbi judge, while for dancing, Alessandra Celentano, Veronica Peparini and Emanuel Lo decide..
The episode opens with an immediate challenge: Anna, a dancer, faces the verdict and is eliminated. Kiara takes her place, judged by Andrea Alemanno Of World of Dance Italy.
Michele wins the singing competition
The singing competition is won by Michele, who sings Biblical accompanying himself on the cello and winning a double standing ovation. In second place goes Gard with All by myself on the piano. Third Plasma with Personal Jesus. Caterina follows with Che cold fa, also sung in Spanish, and then Angie and Elena on equal merit.
Valentina, Opi and Lorenzo end up at the bottom of the ranking. Lorenzo and Valentina will be the next contestants to compete.
Anna Pettinelli (Mediaset)
Flavia leaves Amici 25 in tears
As we read in the previews published by SuperguidaTV the race ends with one of the most discussed moments of the episode. Flavia initially gets the shirt, but is then eliminated during the cover competition by Anna Pettinelli, who sees no improvement in her performance on Diamonds. Flavia eventually leaves school in tears.
Kiara wins the dance competition
The dance ranking sees Kiara in first place, dancing on Vampire by Olivia Rodrigo. Emiliano and Alessio were joint second. Third Alex, followed by Maria Rosaria.
Giorgia, Pierpaolo and Paola end up in the last positions. After the race another delicate piece of news arrives. Maria Rosaria is at risk of being replaced by Maddalena. The next challenge, therefore, will pit Pierpaolo and Paola against each other.