Italian pop singer Deborah Iurato stepped into the limelight by appearing on and winning the 13th season of television talent show Amici di Maria de Filippi. Born in Ragusa, Italy, she began singing at age five, eventually performing at events for spare money while in art school. She joined Amici in early 2014. That spring, after signing with Sony, she released a self-titled EP produced by songwriter/producer/musician Mario Lavezzi. It reached number two on the Italian album chart. In the fall, after winning Amici, her debut full-length album, Libere, was released. Produced by Lavezzi and studio master Nicolò Fragile, it hit the Top 20 in her home country. ~ Marcy Donelson