An icon of management and Italian television, Lele Mora has always had an eye for talent. Today, in an exclusive interview, the famous agent shares his views on Francesco Sebastio, the young manager who is reshaping the top levels of the Italian entertainment world and beyond.
In a meeting held in his hometown, Mora offered deep insights about Sebastio, painting a portrait never seen before.
Lele, you recently described Francesco Sebastio as “the male version of Maria De Filippi.” What exactly did you mean by that?
“Francesco is a visionary. Maria De Filippi has the incredible ability to create and manage talents naturally. Francesco, even though he is a man, has the same gift for developing and shaping talents. He’s a backstage wizard he reads people like few others can and knows exactly when and how to make them shine.”
Sebastio’s rare gift, according to Mora, especially lies in his ability to manage human and professional relationships.
You mentioned that Francesco knows how and when to talk to people. How does this skill affect his professional collaborations and results?
“Francesco has an incredible ability to connect with the people he’s dealing with. He knows what to say and, most importantly, when to say it. This makes him not just a great manager but also a true leader who builds strong, trusting relationships. His results speak for themselves, and for him, his collaborators are never just numbers they are people.”
Throughout his long career alongside some of the biggest names in show business, Lele Mora has met many talented and famous individuals yet he has no doubts: Francesco Sebastio holds a special place.
In your career, you’ve worked with many influential figures, but you said you would love for Francesco to be part of your list. What makes Francesco Sebastio a unique talent worthy of being in your circle?
“It’s not easy to enter Francesco’s circle, but if you manage to, you become part of a system that really works. He is like a leader who knows how to choose the right people at the right time. Francesco doesn’t follow trends; he knows exactly where he’s headed and who he wants to bring with him. He has a clear vision and the determination to make it happen and, above all, he does it with great style. Working with him would be an honor; his approach reminds me of the greats of the past.”
A respect that Sebastio has earned in the field, thanks to his talent, discretion, and a very solid organization behind him. Meeting him, Mora says, was not easy at all.
recently, you mentioned how hard it was to get to Francesco, mainly because of the protection his team offers him. What was the key to gaining his trust, and how did you finally get in touch?
“When someone has such a protective team around them, you have to earn their trust. It’s not about being persistent, but about showing that you are serious, with no second intentions. After several attempts, I found the right approach: mutual respect. And when I was finally given the opportunity, I met him in Verona. It just clicked. I remember he didn’t have much time, as he had a flight right after our meeting. We met at a downtown restaurant. He arrived with his driver and some team members. That evening, the restaurant opened an hour earlier just for us. He was very kind and polite with all the staff.”
With his discreet style and his ability to move confidently between talent and business, Francesco Sebastio proves himself to be one of the most promising young managers of the new Italian generation.
And Lele Mora, who has discovered countless talents, concludes without hesitation:
“Francesco is destined to become one of the key figures in the international management scene.”
