Rai 1 launches Ballando con le stelle season 21 with a new studio, revamped jury, and 13 celebrity couples
The 21st season of Italy's dance competition premieres on 3 October 2026 from the new Studio Pippo Baudo in Rome, featuring 13 pairs and new judges Barbara d'Urso and Alberto Matano.
New studio and cast lineup
The 21st edition of Ballando con le stelle will premiere on Saturday, 3 October 2026, in prime time on Rai 1. Host Milly Carlucci will present the live competition from the newly constructed Studio Pippo Baudo at Saxa Rubra in Rome, which Rai inaugurated on 1 October. Thirteen celebrity pairs will compete on the dance floor following two weeks of preliminary rehearsals. The competitor lineup features film actress Ornella Muti paired with dancer Pasquale La Rocca, entering the competition after years of turning down offers following encouragement from her children.
- Paolo Belli is involved in a road incident, leading to his backstage advisory role
- Rai inaugurates Studio Pippo Baudo and hosts the season launch press conference
- Season 21 premieres live in prime time on Rai 1 with 13 celebrity couples
The remaining contestant pairings include Aurora Ramazzotti with Nikita Perotti, Manuela Moreno with Carlo Aloia, Alessandro Matri with Giada Lini, Massimo Ghini with Valentina Fiorini, Andy Diaz with Gioia Giovanatti, Jimmy Ghione with Anastasia Kuzmina, Anna Safroncik with Leonardo Lini, Alberto Ravagnani with Erika Martinelli, Monica Guerritore with Luca Urso, Riccardo Rossi with Elisa Terrasi, and Eugenio Finardi with Rebecca Gabrielli.
Bocchi addresses public scrutiny
Media figure Noemi Bocchi will compete alongside professional partner Giovanni Pernice in her first television role. Carlucci stated during the program presentation that Bocchi has faced intense media scrutiny due to her relationship with former AS Roma footballer Francesco Totti. Bocchi explained that she entered the dance show to introduce herself directly to television audiences beyond media preconceptions.
I have always been described as an ugly and rotten person. The worst of the worst, so I hope to succeed for who I am: sunny, simple, and humble.
Carlucci confirmed that she has spent several years attempting to recruit Totti as a guest performer on the series. Bocchi added that Totti refused to assist her with dance steps during summer preparations.
Reshuffle on the judging panel
The judging panel features several roster changes following the departures of long-serving members Selvaggia Lucarelli and Fabio Canino, with Lucarelli joining Mediaset as an opinionist on Grande Fratello. Returning judges Carolyn Smith, Ivan Zazzaroni, and Guillermo Mariotto will be joined on the panel by Barbara d'Urso and Alberto Matano.
The beauty of when a television program begins is that you have placed all your pieces on the chessboard, but you do not know how the match will go.
Matano vacates his role overseeing the tesoretto bonus point allocation, which will now be divided among a trio formed by Francesca Fialdini, Simona Ventura, and Rossella Erra. Rinkside commentators Sara Di Vaira and Matteo Addino remain confirmed in their roles alongside Erra.
Production adjustments and guest appearances
Musician Paolo Belli will step back from his regular position in the Sala delle Stelle to assist the production in an off-camera advisory role. Show dancer Simone Di Pasquale will take over Belli's position as correspondent from the green room to assist Carlucci during the live broadcasts. Former Chi l'ha visto host Federica Sciarelli will appear on the 3 October premiere as the season's first guest dancer. Production representative Williams di Liberatore stated at the press conference that the show has produced over 6,000 costumes and featured 250 celebrity competitors over its 20-year history.
