Alessandra Mussolini joins Uomini e Donne commentator panel for new Canale 5 season

Studio announcement in Rome

On Thursday, 27 August 2026, production began for the upcoming season of the Italian dating show Uomini e Donne at the Elios studios in Rome. Host Maria De Filippi introduced former politician and reality television personality Alessandra Mussolini as a new permanent commentator on the panel. The revelation took place during the first taping session of the season and was distributed through a five-minute video clip on the Witty TV digital platform and the show's official Instagram account. Mussolini joins the daytime programme shortly after winning the most recent edition of Grande Fratello Vip. Her arrival adds a new voice to the studio discussions surrounding both the younger and older contestant categories.

The guessing game and studio entrance

Before revealing Mussolini's identity, De Filippi engaged long-time commentators Gianni Sperti and Tina Cipollari in a guessing game using biographical clues from Mussolini's life. The host described an individual who has an interest in electricity, maintains a passion for do-it-yourself household repairs, and was once nearly arrested at an airport because security discovered a wrench inside her suitcase. De Filippi added that the mystery guest once pushed a button in a whirlpool bath expecting a jet of water, only for mud to come out. The clues concluded with memories of her first kiss, recalled with mild disgust as a forced encounter, and a second kiss with a person living in Marina di San Nicola.

After display screens showed close-up images of body parts, including a knee that prompted Sperti to make a joking remark before De Filippi corrected him, Cipollari deduced the identity. Mussolini entered the studio dancing to the 1954 song Mambo Italiano. She wore a light blue feathered dress and held her high-heeled shoes in her hand to safely navigate the studio staircase.

Shift from politics to television

Mussolini, the niece of Benito Mussolini and actress Sophia Loren, previously spent decades in Italian politics before transitioning to full-time entertainment broadcasting. During the 1990s, she served in the Italian parliament representing the Movimento Sociale Italiano and later Alleanza Nazionale. She also secured election to the Chamber of Deputies with the Popolo della Liberta and represented Italy in the European Parliament with Forza Italia. Over the past several years, she appeared on talent and reality television programmes including Ballando con le Stelle, Il Cantante Mascherato, Tale e Quale Show, and Grande Fratello Vip. Following the announcement, commentator Selvaggia Lucarelli joked on social media that separating Cipollari and Mussolini would require a blank-firing deterrent gun.

Cast lineup and broadcasting schedule

In the upcoming television cycle, Mussolini will provide commentary for both the Trono Classico and Trono Over formats alongside Cipollari, Sperti, and Tinì Cansino. The production represents the thirty-first edition of the Mediaset series, although one published report referenced it as the thirtieth edition. Initial tapings at the Elios complex also introduced new throne participant Giorgia Angeloni and featured former participants from Temptation Island. The programme will air in its traditional early afternoon slot on Canale 5, with broadcast listings pointing to Monday, 21 September 2026, as the expected premiere date, pending official network confirmation.