Dancing with the Stars: the favorite Federica Nargi, Federica Pellegrini’s swear word, Barbareschi’s tears, Anna Lou Castoldi’s haters and Sonia Bruganelli’s dig at ex Paolo Bonolis

It debuts wonderfully well Dancing with the starsthe Rai1 show which marks the restart of autumn Saturday evenings in front of the television. An impeccable one Milly Carlucci for this nineteenth debut, he conquers the title of most watched program on Saturday evening, with over four million viewers in prime access and 25.6% share. Beaten, at least for this episode number one, Maria De Filippibroadcast on Canale 5 with You are worth it together with Sabrina Ferilli, Rudy Zerbi and Gerry Scotti.

A result that is truly not to be taken for granted, for a show that risks carrying with it the inevitable tiredness of its almost twenty years of programming in Italy, without there having been any substantial innovations in the format in the various editions. But perhaps this is precisely the secret of the success of Dancingthat is to say its innate ability to respond to an audience looking for a reassuring Saturday eveningcalm, without too many twists to upset the end of an already difficult week. A little pepper, though, yes, that never hurts, so here goes Dancing – particularly in recent years – he has been able to skilfully balance the over-the-top show and the rigor of flawless management, controversy and professionalism, adrenaline and comfort.

Thanks to Milly Carllucci, first and foremost, who deserves credit for being one of the most solidly stainless presenters – in manners and style – of her generation. Thanks then to a fiery juryto whom Selvaggia Lucarelli edition after edition has added that touch of causticity that certainly must not be missing to entertain the public in a program of this type. And thanks to a cast in which there were very few flaws, between old glories and new talents discovered with great creativity.

The mix of ingredients that made the program successful – in Italy and abroad – was repeated last night too, and will probably be repeated again in the next episodes, confirming that Dancing it is one of the flagship programs of Rai prime time. Here’s everything that happened.

Federica Nargi: from outsider to favourite

It may be that the Saturday night television audience was not in fact too familiar with Federica Nargi, influencer with over four million followers, former showgirl together with Costanza Caracciolo and wife of former footballer Alessandro Matri, with whom she confessed to sleeping in separate rooms. And he’s not the only one, if you look closely, given that Fabio Canino also mistakes her for his “colleague” Chiara Nasti in the episode, talking about a “nice, very sober baby shower”, which however she never had.

However, paired with Luca Favilla, Federica Nargi won over the public (who now consider her the favourite) and the jury by dancing salsa and showing a certain familiarity with the dance. Selvaggia Lucarelli also expressed a not too negative opinion on her performance, while underlining the need to break away from the stereotype of a beautiful and sensual former showgirl.

Federica Pellegrini: the debut was not very bon ton

Thus, Federica Pellegrini debuts with a bang and with a certain energy (rather commented on on social media), perhaps the most awaited competitor of this edition of Dancing).

“Let’s say that sympathy often doesn’t match my name,” the former Olympic champion and mother of little Matilde said live in her presentation clip. “Dancing will help me break down this wall or understand that I’m really a bitch.”

In short, few hairs on the tongue, even in prime time on Rai. But then Federica has always been exactly this, and that’s what made her so great despite the criticism. Criticisms that came, both to her and to her dance partner Angelo Madonia, from Selvaggia Lucarelli, the only one at the judges’ table to begin the judgment towards her with a joke that suggested the 4 given as a vote (the same given by Carolyn Smith, to tell the truth, who however praised the good work done by Pellegrini). “Federica remains a woman of records because it is the worst thing we have seen this evening,” said Lucarelli, commenting on her performance.

Anna Lou Castoldi against the haters

«They call me toxic, no good, rebellious, lesbian, rude. For me they are not offended, I am a kind person”: this is how Anna Lou Castoldi, daughter of Morgan and Asia Argento (both in turn competitors in past editions of the program), introduces herself.

His is one of the most interesting presences of Dancing 2024, in a context in which everyone expects a sort of revenge from her towards the controversial past – media and personal – of her parents. But, upon closer inspection, this does not seem to be what the young woman, who dances with Nikita Perrotti, is looking for. «You risk being the only one I like in your family», Selvaggia Lucarelli tells her, while she dissolves into tears after her performance, appreciated by the audience and the jury.

The crying of Luca Barbareschi

Luca Barbareschi also burst into tears, very emotional after the boogie danced with Alessandra Tripoli.

What moved the sixty-eight-year-old actor, in addition to the thrill of trying his hand at a new sector, was also the comment from Selvaggia Lucarelli who, as is clear, confirms himself as the great protagonist of the program. “When you were dancing you looked like a twenty-year-old boy.” And down tears (of joy).

Sonia Bruganelli’s dig at Paolo Bonolis

In the aftermath of the first episode of Dancing with the Stars there is also a lot of talk about Sonia Bruganelli, who seems to have much more to play for in the program than a place in the rankings, given her relationship with Angelo Madonia, Federica Pellegrini’s dance partner. Not so much for her performance – judged very sensual by Guillermo Mariotto but too “basic” by Ivan Zazzaroni – but for the comment made towards her ex Paolo Bonolis.

“I was the host’s girlfriend,” she said, explaining that she always felt apart, while admitting that she was “lucky to meet someone like him.” «Psychologically and emotionally I have been the +1 all my life and it has been tiring».

The (fake) Country Cousins

Among other things, at the start of the evening, Selvaggia Lucarelli’s social fans also had a taste of what was happening outside the studio, with a group of men dressed as the Country Cousins (competitors of this edition of the program) who tried to enter the auditorium, abandoning huge suitcases which rightly attracted the attention of the police and carabinieri.

In short, it seems we understand that we will see some good ones. And not just from a dancing point of view.