Ornella Muti Dances the Waltz on Ballando con le Stelle
Listen to the story
During a recent episode of the Italian dance competition Ballando con le Stelle, actress Ornella Muti performed a waltz alongside her professional dance partner, Pasquale La Rocca.
While the performance itself was a highlight of the evening, much of the episode's attention turned to a separate storyline concerning La Rocca's past relationship with television presenter Barbara D'Urso.
The program described this relationship as having developed into a kind of 'cold war', a term used to describe an ongoing conflict or tension that does not involve open confrontation.
To shed light on the matter, the show turned to journalist and TV critic Selvaggia Lucarelli, who has reportedly provided insight into the backstory behind the falling-out between La Rocca and D'Urso.
Among the details mentioned were alleged secret exchanges between the two, which are said to have played some role in the unfolding situation.
Lucarelli also addressed the reasons behind their eventual break-up, although the full specifics were not laid out in detail in the available summary of the broadcast.
Interestingly, the discussion also brought in another prominent Italian media figure, Alessia Marcuzzi, who was referenced in connection with the story, though her exact role was not clarified.
Ballando con le Stelle, often compared internationally to shows like Dancing with the Stars, regularly combines dance performances from celebrity contestants with discussions of their personal lives, a format that tends to draw significant public and media interest.
This particular episode appears to follow that pattern, pairing a notable dance performance from Muti with a deeper dive into interpersonal tensions among figures associated with the show.
As is often the case with such televised revelations, viewers and commentators have been left speculating about the full context of the relationships described, pending further clarification from those directly involved.
Vocabulary7 words
- waltz
- a slow, elegant dance with a repeating three-step pattern
- cold war
- a long period of tension between people without direct conflict
- backstory
- the earlier history that explains a current situation
- exchanges
- messages or communications sent between people
- break-up
- the ending of a relationship
- prominent
- well known and important
- speculating
- guessing about something without full information
Quiz
Answer key
1. A waltz by Ornella Muti and Pasquale La Rocca 2. She provided insight into the conflict between La Rocca and D'Urso 3. False
โ Nice work on the quiz!
Keep the momentum going โ book a live English lesson with a Preply tutor.
Discussion questions
- Why do talent and dance shows often include personal drama alongside performances? What does this add for viewers?
- What ethical questions might arise when a TV show discusses private relationships like the one between La Rocca and D'Urso?
- How might 'secret exchanges' between public figures become public knowledge, and what are the implications of this?
- Do you think audiences are more interested in the performances or the personal stories on shows like this? Why?

