Neapolitan TikTok Star Rita De Crescenzo Eyes Political Stage: “If They Ask Me, I Apply”
Naples, Italy – April 4, 2025
Rita De Crescenzo, the flamboyant Neapolitan influencer who rose to fame through her viral TikTok videos, is once again making headlines—this time for her unexpected foray into the political arena. Known for her unfiltered personality and a following of nearly two million on social media, De Crescenzo has hinted at a potential candidacy, stating boldly, “If they ask me, I apply,” in reference to a possible run for the Italian Senate. Her comments have sparked a mix of intrigue, skepticism, and excitement across Italy as the controversial figure teases a new chapter in her already colorful career.
De Crescenzo’s political ambitions came into focus ahead of her participation in a Rome-based anti-rearmament demonstration organized by the Movimento 5 Stelle (M5S) on April 5, 2025. The event, titled “Stop the Weapons,” aligns with her recent vocal stance against war and military spending—a cause she claims to champion as a mother and a citizen. “I want to go to Rome to say stop to the weapons,” she declared in a TikTok video last week, rallying her followers to join her. “Who can stop me? I’m a free citizen.” True to form, she’s promised to arrive in style—not by bus, but in a van—leaving followers guessing about the logistics and her growing influence.
Her potential political pivot has been bolstered by an unlikely ally: Maria Rosaria Boccia, a fellow online personality who has taken De Crescenzo under her wing. Boccia, who co-hosts the upcoming podcast Pasta with De Crescenzo, has been credited with guiding her toward this new endeavor. “Thanks to Maria Rosaria, who’s giving me good advice, I’ll get to the Senate,” De Crescenzo told Corriere della Sera. She even drew parallels to iconic figures like Cicciolina and Moana Pozzi, two adult film stars turned politicians, suggesting she sees herself following in their footsteps as an unconventional influencer-turned-lawmaker.
Yet, De Crescenzo’s political aspirations remain shrouded in ambiguity. When pressed about her ties to M5S, she deflected with characteristic flair: “I don’t even know what M5S means—I barely understand Italian!” She insists her involvement in the demonstration is a personal choice, not a partisan one, stating, “No one called me. I’m going of my own free will.” Despite this, her promotion of the event, complete with a call for free buses from Naples’ Stazione Centrale, has raised eyebrows. Some speculate that her massive online reach—previously demonstrated by the viral “invasion” of Roccaraso—could be a boon for M5S, a party eager to reconnect with younger voters.
Critics, however, question her readiness for the political stage. De Crescenzo’s past is far from spotless: she was arrested in 2017 on drug-related charges tied to the Elia clan in Naples’ Pallonetto di Santa Lucia, though she claims she was acquitted. More recently, her son’s return to a foster home in 2024 after a run-in with police stirred controversy, with detractors like politician Francesco Emilio Borrelli labeling her a symbol of “the worst part of Naples.” Undeterred, De Crescenzo fires back: “Why am I always called a camorrista or delinquent when politicians have their own scandals?”
Supporters see her as a raw, authentic voice for the disenfranchised. “Rita is the people,” Boccia said on La Zanzara, a popular radio show. “She’s showing that anyone can have a say.” Her fans, many of whom hail from Naples and its surrounding areas, echo this sentiment, praising her for speaking their language—literally and figuratively. Her lack of political experience (“I’ve never voted in my life,” she once admitted) is, to them, a feature, not a flaw.
As the April 5 demonstration looms, all eyes are on De Crescenzo. Will she merely be a loud presence in the crowd, or is this the launchpad for a Senate bid? “If they ask me, I apply,” she reiterated, leaving the door wide open. Whether Italy’s political establishment is ready for her brand of unscripted chaos remains to be seen—but if her social media success is any indication, underestimating Rita De Crescenzo could prove a costly mistake.
By Staff Writer, Naples Chronicle