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Ilir Shaqiri is an Albanian ballet dancer , choreographer, talent scout and TV show host,known for his television presence and participation in various programs in Albania,Italy and abroad. He won the first season of Big Brother VIP Albania, which was aired on network Top Channel Albania.
Early life and education
Ilir Shaqiri was born in Tirana, Albania, on April 12, 1973. He grew up in a family deeply rooted in ballet, with his father, Estref Shaqiri, being a principal dancer at the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet in Tirana, and his mother, Mukades Erebara, also a leading ballerina. These family influences greatly shaped his early life and career. Ilir started studying ballet at the age of 10 and joined the National Ballet Company as a soloist by 18. He trained further at the Opera and Ballet Theatre in Skopje, North Macedonia, in 1991. Following a successful year, he moved to Italy in 1992, aiming for a broader stage.
Career
Ilir Shaqiri quickly established himself in the Italian television industry, especially on the talent show Amici hosted by Maria De Filippi on Mediaset Canale 5. He went on to serve as the head judge on Dancing with the Stars Albania for six consecutive years. In 2003, he was honored as an "Ambassador of Albania to the World" by the President of Albania , and in 2006, he was awarded as "Best Television Personality" in Italy.
Over the years, he also appeared as a professional dancer in several Italian television shows, including La Corrida, La sai l'ultima, C'è Posta per Te, Buona Domenica, and Amici di Maria De Filippi. His achievements led him to establish Etoile d'Ilir, his ballet academy that has trained many professional dancers.
In 2021, Ilir returned to Albania to participate in the first season of Big Brother VIP Albania, where he won and became one of the most talked-about personalities in the show's history. In 2024, he together with producer Ledja Liku created and hosted an Albanian talent show Yjet Shqiptarë të Diasporës, an talent show dedicated to young Albanian talents living abroad.
Personal Life
In 2000, Ilir met Emanuela Morini, a well-known Italian actress, on a television program in Milan,Italy. The couple began living together in Rome and later married. Their daughter, Emily Shaqiri, was born on October 16, 2004. Emily started modeling at the age of four and made her debut as an actress and dancer in Miracle Tunes in 2018.
Filmography ,Television
La Corrida (1993) - Professional dancer
La sai l'ultima (2000) - Professional dancer
C'è Posta per Te (2000-2003, 2005) - Professional dancer
Buona Domenica (2000-2003) - Professional dancer
Saranno Famosi (2001) - Professional dancer
Amici di Maria De Filippi (2000-2007) - Professional dancer
Dancing with the Stars (2012-2018) - Head judge (Vizion Plus Tirana)
Big Brother VIP Albania (2021-2022) - Winner (Top Channel)
Dancing with the Stars (2023) - Head judge (Top Channel)
Albanian Stars of the diaspora (2025) - Creator and Host (Top Channel)
Theatre
Lo Schiaccianoci (1991) - Ballet dancer (balerin) (Opera Theatre, Skopje)
Giselle (1991) - Ballet dancer
Lola (1991) - Ballet dancer
Don Chichotte (1992) - Ballet dancer
Lago dei cigni (1992) - Principal (solist)
Pink Floyd (1992) - Principal
Carmina Burana (1992) - Principal
Rugantino (2007) - Role: Rugantino (Director: Gino Landi)
Il silenzio dei sogni (2007) - Role: Georgi (Director: Giulio Base)
Choreography
La Città dell'Utopia - Musical (muzikor) (Director: Gianpiero Francese)
Giulietta e Romeo - Musical (Director: Claudio Insegno)
Chiedimi se voglio la Luna - Musical (Director: Claudio Insegno)
La Farfalla Lily - Musical (Director: Claudio Insegno)
Quel pazzo pullman della danza - Musical
Telethon 2008 - Musical
30th Anniversary Freddy Foundation - Artistic direction and choreography
Mazda MX5RF - Artistic direction and choreography
Mille e una energia - Artistic direction and choreography
Eni Energia - Artistic direction and choreography
Dance Dance Dance - Choreography
