Lucrezia Ciotti The controversy surrounding Pierluigi Diaco hasn't subsided since his confrontation with Alberto Ravagnani , which aired on Tuesday, November 3, during BellaMa' on Rai2. The host was expected to appear in the next episode, with many viewers expecting at least a clarification on the questions posed to the former priest about his private life and sexuality.
But today, Wednesday, November 4th, at the opening of the broadcast, no apology was issued. A decision that further fueled criticism on social media.
Diaco returns to BellaMa' after the Ravagnani controversy, but he doesn't apologize: controversy erupts.
The presenter appeared in front of the cameras as usual , with his usual smile , starting the episode without addressing what had happened the previous day.
After previewing the program's topics and mentioning director Tinto Brass, he moved on to the other topics of the show, including toxic love. No explanation was given , therefore, as to the manner of the interview , which sparked so much controversy.
The discussion with Ravagnani, a former priest now a contestant on Dancing with the Stars, began with his autobiographical book and the reasons that led him to leave the priesthood.
Diaco then shifted the focus to his love life , asking direct questions about his sexual orientation and intimate experiences since abandoning the clergy. After declaring his attraction to women, Ravagnani expressed his discomfort: " You're putting me in difficulty, leading me onto a terrain where anyone here would be in difficulty ." The host defended his approach, arguing that those who choose to open up publicly must also accept uncomfortable questions. Hence the provocation: " Don't you think that after the profound things you've been so keen to share with us, you deserve direct questions bordering on rudeness? "
From Selvaggia Lucarelli to Madame, a barrage of criticism: even RAI intervenes.
Diaco 's silence in the following episode sparked renewed reactions. Several viewers challenged the decision not to address the matter, demanding explanations and a public apology. Among the comments appearing online was: " It's unacceptable that the episode began without a word about what happened. Pretending nothing happened and not taking any action in the face of on-air bullying is shameful ."
Several celebrities have also spoken out. Selvaggia Lucarelli shared the video of the interview on Instagram, accompanying it with a harsh comment: " The violence of this interview. The way he tries to pry into her life, the gratuitous resentment, the foaming questions ." Singer Madame wrote, " Mamma mia, poor thing ," while Vladimir Luxuria reminded everyone that no one should feel obligated to discuss their private life: " Everyone should decide HOW, WHEN, and IF they want to talk about their sexual orientation , their intimate desires, and their feelings ." Representatives of the Five Star Movement (M5S) on the Rai Oversight Commission also weighed in on the matter, calling the interview " a full-blown verbal assault ," demanding an apology from the host and those responsible for the program.
Federica Frangi, a member of the RAI board of directors nominated by Fratelli d'Italia, disagreed. She defended Diaco, deeming the controversy disproportionate: " A journalist has the right to ask uncomfortable, direct, and provocative questions. The interviewee, of course, has the right not to answer , but the right not to answer cannot be transformed into a ban on asking questions ."