Once again this year, We the Italians is asking you, our readers and friends, to choose the Italian American of the Year. Our annual poll is open to everyone, wherever you live, and offers an opportunity to celebrate the people whose achievements make the Italian American community proud.
Now in its fifth edition, this tradition began in 2022 with Stanley Tucci, followed by Sylvester Stallone in 2023, Lady Gaga in 2024, and Adriana Trigiani in 2025. These four outstanding Italian Americans are therefore not eligible for votes this year.
This year, we have selected 10 nominees representing different expressions of Italian American achievement: artificial intelligence, motorsports, food, basketball, literature, music, baseball, and cinema. Their stories reflect the extraordinary variety of contributions that people of Italian heritage bring to American life.
Who deserves your vote? Meet the nominees below, listed in alphabetical order. Please vote here: https://forms.gle/iMzKDgszfaQQg1Pq9
Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande is a singer, songwriter, and actress whose powerful voice, chart-topping music, and acclaimed performances have made her one of her generation’s most recognizable and influential global stars.
Caitlin Clark
Caitlin Clark is a basketball star celebrated for her extraordinary shooting, passing, and competitive spirit, inspiring new generations of fans and bringing unprecedented attention to women’s basketball across America.
Dario Amodei
Dario Amodei is an artificial intelligence researcher and entrepreneur, cofounder of Anthropic, whose work focuses on developing powerful AI systems while addressing questions about their safety and societal impact.
Don DeLillo
Don DeLillo is an influential novelist whose works, including White Noise and Underworld, examine modern society, media, technology, and identity through distinctive prose and searching explorations of contemporary life.
Lidia Bastianich
Lidia Bastianich is an acclaimed chef, author, restaurateur, and television personality who shares Italian culinary traditions with American audiences, celebrating family, regional flavors, and the connections created around shared meals.
Madonna
Madonna is a singer, songwriter, and cultural icon whose creativity, reinvention, and artistic independence have influenced generations, shaping popular music and inspiring audiences through decades of groundbreaking international success.
Mario Andretti
Mario Andretti is a legendary racing driver whose victories include the Formula One World Championship and Indianapolis 500, embodying determination, versatility, and the extraordinary possibilities of the Italian American dream.
Martin Scorsese
Martin Scorsese is an acclaimed filmmaker whose groundbreaking movies explore identity, faith, ambition, and community, while his dedication to film preservation safeguards cinematic treasures for audiences around the world.
Tony Gemignani
Tony Gemignani is a pizzaiolo, restaurateur, and author whose championship achievements and dedication to craftsmanship celebrate pizza’s diverse traditions, connecting Italian heritage with American creativity, entrepreneurship, and culinary excellence.
Vinnie Pasquantino
Vinnie Pasquantino is a baseball player whose power, personality, and pride in his Italian roots connect professional sporting achievement with heritage, inspiring fans and strengthening baseball’s ties across generations.
How to participate
The poll is open to everyone. You do not need to be Italian American or live in the United States to participate. You may vote for more than one candidate if you wish.
Share the poll with your family, friends, and community, and invite them to take part. Every response contributes to a collective celebration of Italian American talent, heritage, and achievement.
Please vote here: https://forms.gle/iMzKDgszfaQQg1Pq9
Thank you for an extraordinary 2026 and for helping us celebrate the people who connect our two countries through their work, their stories, and their accomplishments.
Two flags, one heart. Ciao from Rome!
