It's been a whirlwind year for Eurovision 2021 winners Måneskin since they won the contest with their song Zitti e Buoni. The Italian group, which consists of singer Damiano David, bassist Victoria De Angelis, guitarist Thomas Raggi and drummer Ethan Torchio, stormed the competition in the Netherlands with an impressive 524 points.
They were triumphant in giving Italy its first Eurovision win in more than 30 years. But Måneskin's victory was shrouded by false drug accusations against vocalist Damiano, which the band said 'overshadowed' their achievement. Måneskin maintained they were 'against drugs' and Damiano went on to voluntarily take a test, which he passed.
Måneskin returned to the Eurovision stage in their home country to perform new single Supermodel. Afterwards they were asked for their advice for any artists looking on from the green room.
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And Damiano appeared to make a cheeky reference to the false accusations when he said: "Two advice - have fun and don't get close to the table guys, don't do it." Social media was rife with claims after Damiano was caught on camera, appearing to bend over a table during the 2021 contest.
He was later asked at a post-victory news conference whether he had snorted cocaine during the broadcast to which he strongly denied the accusation and said he does not use drugs. He said he had bent over because another band member had broken a glass at their feet
In a link-up with BBC Breakfast after the contest host Dan Walker asked the band to "explain what was happening." "It was the moment they were giving us 12 points and meanwhile Thomas [Raggi] broke a glass," Damiano explained. "So while I was cheering I saw the glass broken and was like, 'Oh god, what happened?'"
He added: "I feel really offended. I think this kind of thing is outrageous. We are young guys with huge passion for music and I think this is overshadowing our win but we will get a drug test and get the proof."
After their Eurovision success Måneskin, who were runners-up on the Italian X Factor in 2017, have gone from strength to strength. They became the first Italian rock group to reach the top 10 on the UK Singles Chart and Zitti e buoni, I Wanna Be Your Slave and their cover of The Four Seasons' Beggin went on to chart internationally, reaching the US.
Måneskin toured Europe that summer, before releasing single MAMMAMIA in the autumn. The lyrics appear to reference the Eurovision drug allegations, with Damiano singing: "I swear that I'm not drunk, and I'm not taking drugs/They ask me why I'm so hot, 'cause I'm Italiano."
The Rome natives went on to open the show for the Rolling Stones at Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium and have performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Ellen DeGeneres Show and at the MTV Europe Music Awards.
Last month the band played the iconic Coachella festival in California, where they teased a new track called Gasoline. The band's eleventh single Supermodel was released on Friday (13 May) and Damiano, Victoria, Ethan and Thomas have been working with legendary songwriter and producer Max Martin, who has collaborated with the likes of Britney Spears and Taylor Swift, on their latest album.
From October, Måneskin will embark on the Loud Kids tour, covering 17 cities in North America before hitting Italy for the European leg in February 2023. They're scheduled to play 14 dates in Italy, most of which are sold out, and stop off at the O2 Arena in London on Monday May 8.
"So while I was cheering I saw the glass broken and was like, 'Oh god, what happened?'"
He added: "I feel really offended. I think this kind of thing is outrageous. We are young guys with huge passion for music and I think this is overshadowing our win but we will get a drug test and get the proof."
