The song was released through Warner Music Finland and Mökkitie Records on 27 January 2020, as the lead single from Vikman's self-titled debut album, after having been announced as one of the competing entries in Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2020, the Finnish national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020.

Following Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu, "Cicciolina" went on to peak at number-5 on The Official Finnish Charts, becoming Vikman's first top ten hit.

[3] Vikman had been inspired to write the song after seeing a documentary on the life of Hungarian-Italian pornographic actress-turned-politician Ilona Staller, also known by her stage name Cicciolina.

[2] The song's Finnish lyrics do not speak of the life of Staller directly, but instead allude to brave women in general.

[2] Yle journalist Anni Gullichsen described the song as "a brisk Finnish disco where sexual freedom is not hidden", while also acknowledging the influence from Sirén.