The Conflict Between Pierluigi Diaco and Milly Carlucci
Pierluigi Diaco offered to participate as a dancer for a night on “Ballando con le Stelle” alongside Alberto Ravagnani, but the show rejected the proposal.
The site directed by Roberto D’Agostino revealed that the Rai2 host was willing to dance in a pair specifically with the former priest, yet a firm refusal came from the Saturday night show.
The dispute started after Diaco interviewed Ravagnani on Rai2’s “BellaMa'”, touching on the former priest’s personal life and sexuality. The interview triggered a public backlash on social media, with RaiNews reporting that the guest appeared visibly uncomfortable on camera.
Pierluigi Diaco, who is openly gay and in a civil union with Alessio Orsingher, focused part of his questions on the guest’s sexuality and orientation, asking if he was attracted to men or women.
Diaco Asked Ravagnani About His Sexual Orientation and Experiences
During the broadcast, Diaco asked Ravagnani whether he was attracted to men or women, according to Corriere della Sera. The guest replied that he was attracted to women but noted the question lacked solid grounding. Ravagnani added that the host pushed him onto difficult territory, telling him he was putting him in difficulty and leading him onto terrain where anyone there would struggle, following a question about his sexual experiences after leaving the cassock.
Diaco claimed the right to ask direct questions to those who choose to talk about themselves publicly, stating to Corriere that he was ready to clarify his professional choice with patience, awareness, and serenity. Many considered the questions disrespectful, anachronistic, and out of place, aimed at an outing.
MilanoToday reported that Diaco later acknowledged the tension through an ANSA statement. The host admitted he could have handled the interview with different and less pressing tones.
He also stated that he called Ravagnani to his dressing room before the show to outline the topics of the conversation, explaining to Le Iene that he summoned Alberto when told the guest did not know which broadcast he was attending simply to correctly anticipate the ingredients of the interview, adding that if he said anything that upset him he was sorry and it was not his intention.
Viale Mazzini management also noted that he could have conducted the interview with different tones and avoided answering Carlucci’s considerations in live television.
Ravagnani offered a different perspective on that backstage meeting. Corriere della Sera noted that the guest felt uneasy starting from that very dressing room conversation.
Before going live, an upfront phrase by the former priest created a social media uproar, as he stated that he started already troubled due to things that happened in the dressing room with words and situations that did not allow him to be serene in front of the public.
Carlucci Defended Her Cast Member Against Diaco's Interview Tactics
Milly Carlucci addressed the controversy during Saturday night’s episode of “Ballando con le Stelle.” Surrounded by the entire cast on Saturday, November 8, 2026, the host returned to the case after the BellaMà interview. Il Fatto Quotidiano reported that the host defended her cast member by stating that attacking a member of the show is like attacking the entire family, noting that she and the team wrapped themselves around Alberto with great solidarity and respect.
She later described the interview as unfortunate during an appearance on “La Volta Buona” and called Diaco’s subsequent notes very wise on Friday the 6th on La Vita in diretta while praising Ravagnani’s behavior.
Diaco responded during a subsequent broadcast by questioning why colleagues use company tools to settle scores, asking why the instruments and means of the same company for which he and Carlucci work are used to settle accounts.
He also asked to intervene by phone during the live broadcast after Ravagnani’s remarks, but received a flat rejection. He later apologized on Sunday afternoon via a press note issued to MilanoToday. He conceded that he should not have replied to Carlucci directly on television and accepted any criticism of his work, however fierce.
To counter online rumors, Diaco announced legal measures. MilanoToday confirmed that the presenter instructed his lawyers to sue anyone publishing insinuations about unverified advances or approaches, stating he cannot tolerate offenses under the guise of allusions to his honorability as a man and journalist, and must protect himself, his family, his affections, his biography, and Rai.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Milly Carlucci criticize Pierluigi Diaco?
MilanoToday reported that Carlucci deemed the interview tactics unacceptable after Diaco questioned her contestant, Alberto Ravagnani, about his private life and sexual orientation.
Did Dancing with the Stars accept Diaco’s peace offering?
Il Fatto Quotidiano reported that Diaco offered to appear on the dance show as a guest dancer alongside Ravagnani, but the production issued a firm refusal.
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