«I have a lot of respect for those who react and overcome this. My mom faced it for the first time in 2001 and then again in the pandemic. Now I’m ready to talk about it. Maybe I’ll write a song.” For Ghali “this thing” is the tumor that affected the mother Amel (name meaning hope) and the many patients or former patients sitting in the audience at Manzoni theater in Milan. The occasion is «Ieo with women», the event thatEuropean Institute of Oncology, founded by Umberto Veronesi in 1994, dedicates every year to those who live or have lived the experience of cancer. On stage, the singer recalls the drama of the first diagnosis, but also the redemption after treatment. «As soon as we overcome that problem, everything improved, light entered our lives. They gave us a house in the neighborhood where I grew up, Baggio, which gave me so much creativity and so much strength. I started to believe in God (Ghali is Muslim, ed), my passion for music was ignited.”
In the dressing room, the singer retraces those years more accurately.
How does a child experience “this thing”?
«I think a child can’t know what it is until it happens, it’s almost unbelievable. I had to deal with one of the sad realities of my life. I have been shaken by many traumas, this was one of them. Despite everything, however, I have good memories, even nice, strong ones, of love.”
For example?
«My mother and I went to visit my father in prison. She was wearing a wig (she had lost her hair due to chemotherapy, ed) and he didn’t notice it the first few times. Sometimes, in the car, she stopped in parking lots because her head itched and she had to scratch. We laughed a lot, she was very strong. I also remember watching cartoons, especially Holly and Benji.”
Who was next to you at that time?
«My mother always had many gay friends. One of them took care of me: I slept with him, he accompanied me and picked me up from school. During that time I also learned about some differences that exist between us, such as homosexuality. I believe that the strength that arises after such an event can be decisive for life and can change it for the better.”
Twice the mother had to face breast cancer.
«The first in 2001 and we know well what chemotherapy was like: grueling. The second time during Covid. It was unexpected, but we experienced it in an absolutely different way. The fear is always there, but right from the start we felt protected and safe thanks to the IEO doctors. I have so much admiration for them. On the other hand, my mother always wanted me to become a pilot or a doctor.”
Does the tumor experience emerge in your music?
«It’s one of the many things that I haven’t faced yet and that I’m afraid to touch. It’s as if I’ve experienced it firsthand and it takes a certain maturity to “reopen” it. Maybe I’m ready now. Maybe I’ll write a poem, maybe a song.”
And at home, was there any talk about cancer?
«It’s always been talked about, it wasn’t a taboo. During my journey I was also lucky enough to meet a child in Rome, Ledio, who unfortunately no longer exists. I have always been sensitive to the topic and my mother’s strength pushed me to support other people with the same problem.”
In the dressing room, the singer’s mother also brings to mind the fear of cancer.
«The first time I was 37 years old. I felt like a different person, I was afraid of losing everything.”
When the disease returned, how did you feel?
«I asked myself so many questions, I wondered why he was returning after so many years. I’m fine now, I’ve overcome everything. I want to tell all women who are facing cancer to gather the strength to carry on. For example, I see my son and I feel like I live more, he gives me life and joy.”
