Susanna Riva In the Italian entertainment scene, few names have generated as much buzz as Michele Carfora and Barbara D'Urso . After four years of marriage, the former dancer has decided to speak openly about a relationship that, according to him, was exploited by a relentless media machine. In a recent interview, Carfora called his ex-wife a jealous and possessive person , alluding to dynamics that, in his opinion, helped launch D'Urso's television career.
Carfora's story isn't just a personal outburst. He lays out, step by step, the events that shaped their marital journey, from the emergence of a series of gossip magazine covers to the intrigues surrounding their divorce, up to the more recent criticisms leveled at D'Urso's role as a judge on Dancing with the Stars.
His point of view, though controversial, offers a different lens on an episode still much discussed in the entertainment world.
The wedding and the first waves of gossip
The bond between Carfora and D'Urso was sealed in September 2002 , when the presenter, already known to the general public, married the dancer ten years younger than her.
The age difference immediately made headlines, but it was the media attention that sparked a veritable frenzy of publications. Already in 2000 , when they had just met, the couple graced numerous magazine covers, transforming Carfora into what he himself calls D'Urso's "baby boyfriend."
The covers of 2000 and D'Urso's television rise
The first year of their relationship saw a cascade of images in gossip magazines, in an era when social media didn't exist and magazine covers were the main vehicle for visibility . Carfora claims that this surge in exposure prompted D'Urso to receive the invitation to host his first Big Brother show in 2003, paving the way for a long-lasting career on television. "If she's had a career, she has me to thank," he said, noting that before that date the host had been relegated to minor roles, such as Pippo Baudo's assistant on Domenica In.
The alleged betrayal and Carfora's version
In 2006, the press published a photo of Carfora kissing musical actress Azzurra Passa, fueling gossip about an "infidelity" that would lead to their breakup. The former dancer openly disputes this narrative, claiming that the couple had already ended their relationship six months before the press release. According to him, D'Urso wanted to keep the news under wraps to exploit it as hype for the launch of his show Circus in September.
The photo with Azzurra Passa and the six months of separation
Carfora explained that, at the time of the photo, their relationship had already been over for "six months." D'Urso, instead of correcting the public narrative by saying "we are no longer together," opted for a photo under the "separation and divorce" sign at the Rome courthouse, generating further confusion. This choice, according to her ex-husband, was motivated by a desire to protect their children from her previous marriage to Mauro Berardi , preventing them from being implicated in the "gossip magazine" scandal.
Divorce, professional repercussions, and new television encounters
The divorce was finalized in 2008. Carfora has recounted how the affair negatively impacted his career: musical productions, which were frequently shown on television at the time, stopped calling him, fearing the repercussions of a still-unfolding "media battle." Despite the difficulties, in 2013 Carfora appeared as a guest on Domenica Live , hosted by D'Urso himself, to present the musical Solo tu , featuring songs by Matia Bazar . According to him, the invitation was last-minute, a surprise for the host, who hadn't expected to see him in the studio.
Appearance on Domenica Live in 2013
The event was the only televised meeting since the divorce; Carfora clarified that there have been no further opportunities for direct contact. When asked if a reconciliation was possible, he firmly replied that he knew his ex-wife's character well, describing her as jealous and possessive , and stated that he preferred a life "without compromise."
Judgment on Dancing with the Stars and criticism of the judging role
In recent years, Barbara D'Urso has been a member of the judging panel of Dancing with the Stars , a program hosted by Milly Carlucci. Carfora has been vocal in his criticism, calling her presence a "show" and stating that "it's not as if those highly competent people, with a few exceptions, are at that table." The dancer also commented on the friction that has arisen between D'Urso and contestant Ornella Muti , suggesting that choreographer Pasquale La Rocca stay away from situations that could be detrimental to her health.
Despite the tensions, Carfora professes to still have a living dream: to return to the stage. "I deserve to be back on stage," she concluded, while focusing primarily on the well-being of her 14-year-old daughter, the fruit of a subsequent relationship.