Russell Crowe’s Surprising Career Shift with Italian Singer

Russell Crowe has rebooted his music career after recording a cover of Pearl Jam’s track ‘Breathe’ alongside veteran Italian singer-songwriter Zucchero ‘Sugar’ Fornaciari.

The Gladiator star, 61, also appears in a music video for the tune, which was partly filmed in Queensland.

Ditching his trademark casual look, Russell sported a suave dark suit in the clip while sitting on a bench under a tree next to a friendly cattle dog.

The music video, which Russell co-directed, has already attracted 237,788 views on YouTube and also features Zucchero.

The Oscar winner told News.com.au that his collaboration with the 69-year-old Italian hitmaker, who has sold over 60 million albums, has already made a huge impact.

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Gladiator star Russell Crowe has rebooted his music career after recording a cover of Pearl Jam’s track ‘Breathe’ alongside veteran Italian singer-songwriter Zucchero ‘Sugar’ Fornaciar

‘When they dropped the video in Italy last week, it received huge coverage and ran as a news story, got 2.2million views just on my Instagram,’ Russell said.

The song was included on Zucchero’s 2024 album Discover II, which topped the charts in Italy last November.

Describing Zucchero as a ‘legend’, Russell said their new collaboration began after the pair met in Tuscany in 2024 at a Andrea Bocelli concert.

After Zucchero caught Russell’s band, Indoor Garden Party, while they were touring Italy, he met the Beautiful Mind actor after a show.

‘Backstage over a Guinness, he asked if I’d have any interest in doing a duet with him. I was enthusiastic about the idea, he told me about his new album plans,’ Russell explains.

Russell’s vocals for the tune were recorded at his sprawling property in NSW, while his scenes in the music video were shot at Guanaba on the Gold Coast.

It comes after Russell ignited rumours he is set to tie the knot with his fiancée Britney Theriot in Rome.

The pair sparked speculation of an engagement when Britney was seen sporting a diamond ring.

Ditching his trademark casual look, Russell sported a suave dark suit in the clip while sitting on a bench under a tree next to a friendly cattle dog in the music video

Claims are circulating they are eyeing up an Italian wedding after reportedly visiting a church during their latest visit to the city.

The couple, who started dating in 2020, visited Rome last year when Russell performed with his band The Gentlemen Barbers at the Forum Theatre.

They were spotted sightseeing during their lavish getaway and reportedly visited a church in the city.

‘Italy was always going to be their wedding destination. Every time they go there, they come back more in love,’ an insider told Woman’s Day.

‘It’s always been their dream to get married there.’

Russell and Britney frequently visit Italy together and first sparked engagement rumours during a trip to the European country last year.

In February last year, Britney was seen wearing a dazzling diamond band on her ring finger as they visited at the Ariston Theatre in Sanremo.

They were visiting the Italian Riviera for Russell’s gig at the Sanremo Music Festival with his band, who frequently perform at venues across Italy.

Russell also often holidays in Italy with Britney and his sons Charles, 20, and Tennyson – both of whom who he shares with ex Danielle.

The superstar Russell has long gushed over his love of Italy and Rome in particular, previously describing it as ‘the city where my heart beats faster’.

Russell is believed to have first met former actress Britney on the set of his 2013 film Broken City, but they did not start dating until many years later.

The pair then confirmed their long-rumoured romance with a kiss on a tennis court in November 2020.