Elisabetta Canalis

Discover the life and career of Elisabetta Canalis (born September 12, 1978) — Italian showgirl, actress, TV presenter, model, and animal-rights advocate. Explore her journey, philosophy, and memorable quotations.

Introduction

Elisabetta Canalis is an Italian figure known for her multifaceted career in entertainment: as a showgirl, actress, model, and television host. Born on September 12, 1978, in Sardinia, she gained widespread recognition in Italy through her early role as a “velina” on Striscia la Notizia and later expanded into acting, hosting, modeling, and philanthropic causes.

More than just a glamorous presence, she has used her visibility to support animal rights campaigns and UNICEF causes. Her career is a blend of media visibility, personal conviction, and adaptation across formats. This article will trace her trajectory, highlight her values, and collect her most insightful quotes.

Early Life and Background

Elisabetta Canalis was born in Sassari, on the island of Sardinia, Italy.

She attended a “liceo classico” (classical high school) in Sassari.

Career and Achievements

Breakthrough: “Velina” on Striscia la Notizia

In September 1999, Canalis was selected as a velina bruna (a dark-haired showgirl/dancer) on the popular Italian satirical news show Striscia la Notizia. She held that role until June 2002.

Television Hosting, Acting & Modeling

After Striscia, Canalis appeared in Italian TV shows, served as host in variety formats, and moved into acting roles. Among her appearances:

• She had minor parts in films like Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo and Virgin Territory.

• In 2005, she replaced Michelle Hunziker in the sitcom Love Bugs for its second season.

• She co-hosted Festivalbar in 2007 and, in 2009, replaced a pregnant Elena Santarelli on MTV Italy’s version of Total Request Live.

• In 2011, she co-hosted the Sanremo Music Festival with Gianni Morandi and Belen Rodríguez, and during that event she interviewed Robert De Niro.

• She made a guest appearance in the U.S. TV series Leverage (season 3) around 2010.

• More recently, she returned to cinema in 2024 with a role in the film Come far litigare mamma e papà.

In addition, she has been active as a model and brand ambassador for fashion and beauty campaigns, and participated in magazine covers and runway events.

Advocacy & Philanthropy

• In 2011, she posed for PETA’s “I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur” campaign, publicly opposing fur in fashion.

• In March 2015, she was named a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF Italy.

• She is also known for her consistent stance on animal rights. On her Wikiquote page, she is quoted as saying:

  “I decided to go nude because I think that nudity always creates a big reaction. That is what is required to keep people’s attention on such a brutal practice … These poor animals are electrocuted, skinned alive, drowned, and bludgeoned just for the sake of fashion. … Don’t buy fur.”

Legacy, Influence & Persona

Elisabetta Canalis stands out in Italian popular culture as someone who leveraged early visibility into multiple media roles, while retaining a voice in social causes.

• She shows how the role of a “showgirl” or “velina” in Italian television can be a springboard for broader influence, not limited to aesthetic appeal but also personality and advocacy.

• Her public commitment to animal rights and UNICEF positions her beyond fashion and entertainment — as a figure engaging with ethical issues.

• She has maintained relevance over decades by adapting her roles (host, actress, model) and by aligning with causes meaningful to her public image.

• Her relationships and personal life have often been subject to media attention, but she has sometimes used that attention to highlight her views and values (for instance, her stance against fur).

Her persona is a blend of glamour, social conscience, and media savvy.

Famous Quotes of Elisabetta Canalis

Here are some notable quotations that reflect her views on love, beauty, media, and ethics:

“In the past I would self destruct when it came to love — I was immature, throwing myself into things but now times have changed, I want a relationship where you understand the other person.” “Since I was a little kid, I was against fur. I never wore fur in my life.” “Sometimes when I flick through a magazine and see these thin models I'm left wondering what effect they can have on an insecure person. But I say to girls: forget what you see in the magazines, that is a world which has nothing to do with reality; think of it as a cartoon.” “I have always seen the end of my relationships as a personal failure. There is nothing ever pretty in saying goodbye.” “I’m looking for men who can give me security.” “I decided to go nude because I think that nudity always creates a big reaction … don’t buy fur.”

These quotes highlight recurring themes: vulnerability, authenticity, critique of media’s influence, and strong conviction about animal rights.

Lessons from Elisabetta Canalis

1. Use visibility for purpose
   She transformed early fame into platforms for advocacy (animal rights, UNICEF) rather than letting exposure be purely superficial.

2. Evolve with the media landscape
   From television dancer to host, actress, and social advocate — she illustrates the importance of reinvention.

3. Speak on issues you believe in
   Her willingness to pose for PETA and voice opposition to fur shows how public figures can take ethical public stances, even if controversial.

4. Navigating personal life publicly
   While media often focus on relationships, she frames them in terms of growth, boundaries, and self-understanding.

5. Reject unrealistic standards
   Her critique of magazine images and the effect on self-esteem is a powerful reminder that media ideals often distort reality.