Russel Crowe arrived at the Sanremo
Song Festival Thursday night saying he was proud of his Italian
ancestry.
The Gladiator star, 59, recently revealed he had a great great
great grandfather who emigrated from the Adriatic town of Ascoli
Piceno in Marche to New Zealand.
"I've always had a fascination for Italy," said Crowe, who will
play with his band Gentlemen Barbers at the Ariston Theatre on
the third night of the annual showbiz extravaganza and song
contest.
"As an adult I have tried to return to this link that started
with Gladiator, until I discovered I had ancestors from Italy on
my mother's side.
"That's when it became clear to me that there was a reason
behind this strong connection I was feeling: the blood link".
Crowe added that music had been "in my life long before the
cinema".
Ascoli has said it will make Crowe an honorary citizen.
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