«Kisses from Cicciolina»: interview with the diva who provoked all of Italy The story of Italy's number one porn star as told by herself

Ilona Staller, known worldwide as Cicciolina, is a multifaceted figure who has managed to capture the public's attention in every incarnation: artist, erotic icon, actress, and even parliamentarian. More than a diva, at the peak of her career, Cicciolina became a phenomenon, a collective dream, and above all, one of the most disruptive figures in the Italian landscape, among those responsible for demonstrating that a porn star can have the depth of an artist in a country often as moralistic as Italy. Many memories are encapsulated in the book Memorie - Racconto fotografico di un mito, which documents the entire story of the diva who provoked all of Italy, from the film set to politics, through entertainment and radio. But what is Ilona Staller doing today? Her days, as she tells us, are perhaps less hectic than in the past but no less full: «In the evening, I like to go to bed early because I love to dream. Moreover, I always dream in color, never in black and white». Dreams, for her, represent an important aspect of her life, almost an extension of her creativity. «When I wake up, I have breakfast and rush to the gym, which is essential in my life». Each workout session lasts about two hours. Ilona spends the afternoon between moments of relaxation and work. «I browse the internet, take care of my website, answer emails, and then take some walks». Unmissable is the time dedicated to her beloved cats: «I play with my cats, I have eight at home». Evenings, on the other hand, are often dedicated to public events. «In the evening, I go out to dinner, talk with friends, and maybe if I have an event at a nightclub or need to go to a restaurant as a guest of honor, I go». Cicciolina's life, however, is anything but monotonous: «This is my typical day, but it always changes».  

Cicciolina has always maintained that Italians love sex and pornography. «I am sure that Italians really liked sex and porn», she states. Her performances in nightclubs were memorable events: «I did thousands and thousands of shows in nightclubs. And naked, and my performances were very beautiful because I had scenography with special effects. I sang my songs because I recorded 50 songs». Cicciolina had a career as a nightclub diva and live performer, during which she exhibited herself in a provocative and sensual manner, earning a crowd of fans who appreciated not only her body but also her spirit of rebellion. Her impact on Italian culture was enormous: «In nightclubs, I always found so many, many, many people who came to see me. From 5,000 to 7,000, 10,000 people. I remember that in Milan there were 25,000 people during six days of shows. It was delightful, beautiful». Cicciolina did not limit herself to the world of entertainment but also brought her transgression into politics. Her electoral campaign in 1987 was as bold as it was memorable: «I went around in a red convertible jeep with my songs at full volume and my breasts in the wind. I wore a white dress and had a flower crown on my blonde hair». An iconic image, which she describes as «straight out of a Botticelli painting». During rallies, there were indeed occasions when Cicciolina exposed her breasts, an act that led to numerous charges for "acts contrary to common decency".

Her candidacy caused a great scandal and was the subject of discussion throughout the country, not only for her past in the porn world but also for her uninhibited attitude, which strongly contrasted with Italian political conventions. Cicciolina nevertheless managed to win a seat in the Italian Parliament, garnering over 20,000 votes, an achievement that made her the symbol of unconventional politics. But the success Cicciolina had that year was actually the culmination of an influence exerted on the collective mind of Italians with each of her creative endeavors: «I was already doing politics through my shows, also talking with people», she recounts. She decided to join Marco Pannella's Radical Party, whom she remembers fondly: «He patted my head and said: “Tell me what the points of your electoral campaign are”».  Her legislative proposals were revolutionary for the time and addressed issues such as the regulation of sexuality in prisons, sex education in schools, and the abolition of the Merlin Law, the taxation of gasoline vehicles, and the ban on the sale of fur and animal testing - as well as what we would now call "emotional-affective education" and which we still debate today. «I proposed new norms on the revision of cinematographic and theatrical works, modifications to norms regarding obscene acts, publications, and shows, the establishment of love parks and hotels, and the study of sexuality in Italian schools», she adds. In 1987, Cicciolina officially entered Parliament, second in the number of votes after Marco Pannella. «During my time in Parliament, which lasted five years, I presented about 12-15 legislative proposals, keeping my promise to the voters». Even today, her interventions are remembered for their foresight – if we had listened to her, perhaps today we would live in a better Italy.

In 1991, Cicciolina married American artist Jeff Koons, one of the most renowned exponents of pop art, whose fame was already established. Their marriage was not only a private union but also a meeting of two worlds: contemporary art and the porn industry. Koons, known for his works that play with mass culture, created some of his most famous pieces inspired by his relationship with Cicciolina, including the Made in Heaven series, which features them in highly erotic and provocative images, becoming clear examples of how Koons' work reflected the dynamics of celebrity and provocation in popular culture, creating a dialogue between "high" and "low" art. Today, Ilona continues her artistic activity and, of course, maintains her role as a celebrity: «I paint my beautiful paintings, sing my wonderful songs, and do many reality shows in Italy and around the world», she explains. Her artistic production ranges from visual arts to music, through television.  Ilona attributes her success to her inexhaustible energy: «The reason for my great success? I never stop». When asked if she would do it all again, she replies without hesitation: «I would do everything exactly the same. I had a lot of fun and I still do». Cicciolina remains today an icon of transgression and freedom. «Today, sex and porn are considered normal, but still a bit taboo», she observes, reflecting on how society has changed. But, as she recalls, «nothing is provocation anymore, because there is everything and more». With a smile and her unmistakable charisma, Cicciolina leaves us with one certainty: «After all, I am an artist».