Andrea Innocenti During the first episode of the new season of Dancing with the Stars , the judges' table was the scene of a first verbal exchange that heated up fans. Barbara d'Urso , invited to evaluate the choreography by Ornella Muti and Pasquale La Rocca , awarded the duo a "seven," citing her perceived distance from the passion typical of tango.
The comment immediately attracted the attention of Simona Ventura , present on the sidelines, who didn't miss the opportunity to ask whether that "low" rating was the result of jealousy on d'Urso's part.
The vote of 7 and the accusation of jealousy
Ventura, in an ironic yet biting tone, insinuated that the host might be "a little jealous" due to the well-known chemistry between La Rocca, Ventura's former partner, and her new dance partner, Ornella Muti.
Barbara d'Urso immediately denied the accusation, but in the following days, statements by Muti and La Rocca, made on the programs La Vita in Diretta , La Volta Buona , and Ballando Segreto , confirmed that they shared the host's perception. The tension was captured in a tweet that read, "Tense relations, no greetings," summarizing the chilly atmosphere between the two television personalities.
The reactions of Ornella Muti and Pasquale La Rocca
Ornella, silent in front of the microphone, preferred not to comment directly on the matter, implying that she preferred to "let the facts speak for themselves." La Rocca, however, stammered a response describing jealousy as a "beautiful feeling," emphasizing her expectation of a more lighthearted approach from d'Urso. This response fueled further speculation, especially since the following week d'Urso reevaluated their performance, awarding the couple a perfect 10 and jokingly commenting, "I let them play a bit, now that's enough."
The new dig: self-irony in doubt
The verbal duel resumed in the fourth episode, when Ventura used Jimmy Ghione 's voting time to point the finger at d'Urso's self-deprecating humor. "Sorry, Barbara, I heard you say you love to poke fun at yourself... BUT WHEN?!" Ventura exclaimed, adding that the host "really doesn't like self-deprecating humor, but we do it anyway out of affection." The comment, though tinged with a smile, took d'Urso by surprise, whose face became the centerpiece of the televised sketch.
Carmelita's reaction and impact on the public
Contestant Carmelita, present on stage, responded with a tone of disappointment, confirming that Ventura's words weren't just jokes but a genuine questioning of d'Urso's sincerity. The audience, via social media and live comments, was immediately divided: some defended the host, emphasizing her ability to poke fun at herself, while others viewed Ventura's provocation as a legitimate criticism of a perceived fabricated reputation.
Pasquale La Rocca's statements on the "human podium"
Meanwhile, Pasquale La Rocca took advantage of an interview with the weekly magazine Chi to answer a question about who would top his "human podium." He named three dancers in chronological order: Federica Pellegrini , Barbara d'Urso , and Ornella Muti , emphasizing that they have all enriched him personally. He went on to explain that Pellegrini is a "war machine" in sport, Muti possesses a "super sensitivity," while his relationship with d'Urso has been "special and indelible." Finally, he listed those absent from the podium: Luisella Costamagna, Wanda Nara, and Nina Zilli.
The behind-the-scenes dynamics of Dancing with the Stars have transformed traditional dance ratings into true TV drama moments, where jealousy, self-deprecation, and rivalry intertwine with the votes. Ventura's comments and d'Urso's responses continue to hold the audience's attention, demonstrating that the conflict between the two icons of Italian TV remains one of the show's most intriguing influences.