Judge Clashes and Tension Erupt Over Ornella Muti on Dancing Show

Tensions reached a boiling point at the judges' desk during the latest broadcast of the popular dancing competition, following a routine performed by actress Ornella Muti alongside her professional partner, Pasquale La Rocca. As the evaluation segment began, a heated dispute reignited involving judge Barbara d'Urso, who previously competed on the program alongside La Rocca during the preceding season.

During the evaluation, d'Urso concentrated her remarks exclusively on the choreography and the movements of the professional dancer while completely avoiding any commentary regarding Muti's performance. This noticeable omission immediately drew attention from the rest of the panel, who suggested that a latent sense of jealousy might be motivating her critique of her former partner's new collaboration.

Defending her silence, the judge stated that she intended to avoid further controversy. However, she proceeded to offer pointed remarks toward the actress and referenced her own previous competitive journey and performance standards. This retrospective comparison quickly prompted fellow judge Guillermo Mariotto to interrupt her abruptly, accusing her of lacking objectivity and arguing that an active judge should not measure current routines against past personal scores.

The direct confrontation escalated when d'Urso labeled Mariotto impolite in response to his interruption, triggering a furious reaction from the visibly agitated designer. The fiery exchange effectively overshadowed the technical scoring for several minutes, turning the official evaluation into a dramatic sideline argument.

Behind the scenes, dancer Pasquale La Rocca addressed the underlying friction in a subsequent television appearance, discussing his changed relationship with d'Urso. While expressing appreciation for their time dancing together last year, the professional dancer confirmed that they experienced a natural drift apart over the summer months.

La Rocca noted that he was confused and disappointed by d'Urso's unwelcoming demeanor toward Muti throughout the first five episodes of the current season. Highlighting a lack of sincerity in her technical critiques regarding passions, ankles, and lighting, the dancer did not rule out the possibility that professional jealousy is influencing the situation.

Despite the off-stage cooling of their relationship and the ongoing on-screen friction, La Rocca acknowledged that the dramatic elements and competitive play contribute to the entertainment value of the show. Meanwhile, the program continues to draw strong viewership, averaging over 3.5 million viewers and maintaining a significant audience share on Saturday nights.