Leon Cino (born August 10, 1982) is an Albanian-born naturalized Italian dancer, choreographer and actor. He became known in Italy after winning the third season of the talent show Amici di Maria De Filippi in 2004. He was the first non-Italian to win the competition.[1]
Leon Cino | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 10, 1982 Tirana, Albania |
| Nationality | Albanian |
| Occupation(s) | Ballet dancer, choreographer, actor, presenter, producer |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Height | 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) |
Early life
changeLeon Cino was born on 10 August 1982 in Tirana, Albania. He studied at the Academy of Arts in Tirana, and later continued his ballet education in Italy. He graduated in Milan and began working in Albanian television. He also took part in the dance competition Vignale Danza di Torino.[2]
Career
changeIn 2004, at age 21, Cino won the third season of Amici di Maria De Filippi. After that, he worked as a professional ballet dancer, choreographer, and later as a dance teacher on the same show. He also performed with different dance companies in Italy and Europe and took part in international dance tours.[3]
Cino has taught in dance schools in Italy and Albania. He also started dance courses for young people.[4]
He has acted in some films. In 2007, he appeared in the film Nous et Lénine by Albanian director Saimir Kumbaro. In 2010, he played the role of Sorin in the film La città invisibile by Italian director Giuseppe Tandoi.
In 2010–2011, he worked as a producer and artistic director of the show Tra Uomo & Donna – Trittico, performed at Teatro Greco in Rome. He directed the show and was responsible for its production. The choreography was created by Tania Matos and Biagio Tambone.
Cino continues to work as a ballet teacher and choreographer. He also gives workshops and masterclasses in Italy and is a judge in national dance competitions. He works as the artistic director of several dance schools.
Television
change- 2003–2004 – Amici di Maria De Filippi (contestant – winner, Canale 5)
- 2005–2008 – Amici di Maria De Filippi (dance teacher, Canale 5)
- 2013 – Dancing with the Stars Albania (guest)
- 2015 – Në Kurthin e Piter Pan (Top Channel, guest)
Film
change- 2007 – Nous et Lénine – played a young Albanian boy
- 2010 – La città invisibile – played Sorin
- 2010 – Passi d’amore – main dancer (short film)
- 2014 – Let’s Dance – Il film – choreographer of the dance company
- 2021 – Amici: La Storia – documentary appearance
References
change- ↑ "Leon Cino, the international success of the Albanian who won Amici". GazetaSi (in Albanian). GazetaSi. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ↑ "From his parents' divorce to the argument with Maria De Filippi – Leon Cino speaks". Vizion Plus (in Albanian). Vizion Plus. 15 February 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ↑ "Intervista esclusiva al ballerino Leon Cino". DiTutto.it (in Italian). DiTutto. 16 December 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
- ↑ "Da «Amici» alla Sardegna: per il ballerino Leon, una nuova avventura a Cagliari". Vistanet.it (in Italian). Vistanet. 29 October 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2025.