EARLY LIFE
Zeudi Di Palma was born on 2 November 2001 in Naples, in the district of Scampia. Her name was chosen by her father, inspired by the actress Zeudi Araya, but his presence soon disappeared: when she was only two years old, he left the family. Zeudi only saw him on rare occasions in her life, and he only came back into contact when she had already won the title of Miss Italy. Her father’s absence made the bond with her mother, Maria Rosaria, even more important. She was the one who supported her daughter alone, even while facing serious financial struggles. When Zeudi was about ten, her mother lost her job and shortly after her grandmother, who had also helped raise her, passed away. Despite all the obstacles, Maria Rosaria has always been an example and inspiration for her daughter, who often says she considers her the greatest role model. Zeudi also has two siblings: Joe, the oldest, and Asia, who is two years older than her. They grew up together in Scampia, always close to their mother and forming a united family despite the struggles.
ADOLESCENCE
In her teenage years, Zeudi studied at the Liceo Scientifico and later enrolled at the University of Naples Federico II, choosing Sociology. At the same time, she began to get involved in artistic and creative activities. She worked as a model and also took part in cultural productions such as "Mascherina" at the Teatro San Carlo. In addition, she nurtured different passions like football, drawing and music, which helped her build a versatile and creative identity.
MISS ITALY
In September 2021, Zeudi was crowned Miss Napoli, which opened the way for her to compete in the national contest. In February 2022, in Venice, she won the 82nd edition of Miss Italy. The victory was received with pride in her community, and she used the visibility to challenge stereotypes. She stated that Scampia is not just the setting of the series Gomorra and stressed that many young people from the area carry dreams and the will to build a better future.
FROM THE CATWALK TO THE WORLD
Winning Miss Italy opened the doors of television for her. In 2022, she took part in the show Big Show, presented by Enrico Papi on Canale 5. A few years later, in 2024, she joined the cast of the 18th edition of Grande Fratello, the Italian version of Big Brother, where she reached the final and finished in fifth place. It was inside the Grande Fratello house that Zeudi took a decisive step in her public journey: by speaking openly about her sexuality in a country that still ranks among the lowest in Europe for LGBT rights, she earned worldwide respect and admiration. She also brought other important social issues to light, always with sensitivity and strength. This ability to show herself without filters and to turn her personal experience into a message made her personality a real force. Many began to see her not just as a miss or a reality contestant, but as someone they could relate to and find inspiration in.
