THEhe news was in the air and the rumors of the last few days have today been confirmed: Selvaggia Lucarelli is the host of the‘Island of the Famous 2026. And it’s a homecoming, in a wayafter 23 years. In 2003, when the reality show debuted in Italy and was hosted by Simona Ventura on Rai 2, Selvaggia Lucarelli was one of the commentators in the studio. Alvin will be with her in this new adventure on Canale 5.
Selvaggia Lucarelli presenter of theIsland of the famous 2026
The news, as mentioned, was in the air, but the confirmation that arrived today still makes some noise. After his debut as a commentator at Big Brother VIP which ended two weeks ago, Selvaggia Lucarelli was chosen for the total renewal of the survival reality show because, according to the official Mediaset press release, «it brings a new editorial interpretation of the format», with the ability to describe the protagonists and dynamics through «an authoritative, original and contemporary look». And with a pinch of “insider” experience: in his television CV there is also experience as a reality TV competitor. It was 2006 when he participated in The farmwhich aired on Canale 5 and was hosted by Barbara D’Urso.
With her there is Alvin: the guarantee of the format
Alongside Selvaggia Lucarelli there will be Alvin, the now historic face of the program which Mediaset describes as “deeply linked to the identity” of the reality show. The correspondent par excellence ofIsland of the famous it will guarantee the continuity that is needed now that everything else is changing: the host, the location, even the formula. The crew that will follow the castaways is already in the Philippines, which has replaced Honduras. The castaways are leaving these days and filming will begin next week, lasting just over a month, but no later than the first half of July.
Selvaggia Lucarelli (Mediaset)
How does it changeIsland of the famous?
The real revolution ofIsland of the famous 2026however, is in the format. For the first time in the history of reality TV, in fact, there will be no live broadcast: the 11 episodes will be recorded in the Philippines between June and July, edited and broadcast in autumnbetween the end of September and the beginning of October. The scheme resembles other programs, such as Beijing Express And Temptation Islandwhich however are not defined as reality shows. Thus, the story becomes more controlled and there will certainly be no room for boredom. But not even for the decisions of the public.
The Island of the Famous 2026 it will not have televoting: the eliminations will follow tests, nominations between competitors and mechanisms decided by the production, with one or two releases per episode. The Last Resort remains, with the castaways eliminated awaiting repechage. AND to protect the ending against spoilers, given that the recordings precede the broadcast by months, the production chose the same solution as Beijing Express: alternative endings with different outcomesnotary present, secret winner until the last episode. The direction is entrusted to Alessio Pollacci, the same as the Big Brother and of Big Brother VIP. And that’s all that’s known at the moment.
The castaways are still on the high seas
As for the competitors, which should be 20, Mediaset is playing the mystery card. The press release ends like this: «Further details on the cast and the news of this edition will be announced in the coming weeks». But social media has been full of names for weeks: there could be Stefano Musazzi, Eva Grimaldi, Luca Onestini and Claudia Peroni. Alexander Caniggia would also be added to themArgentine model, influencer and television personality, son of former footballer Claudio Caniggia, a well-known face among Italian football fans.
According to the weekly Who Also starting will be Zeudi Di Palma, Pierpaolo Pretelli, Francesco Chiofalo, Francesco Nozzolino and Raffaella Fico. And again Martina Maggiore, Daniele Iaià, Pasquale Laricchia and Michelle Veronesi. Someone has risked a return for Flavia Vento, who would be in her third experience as a castaway. And the name of Walter Nudo, winner of the first edition, that of 2003, is also going around to close the circle.
Goodbye Dancing with the stars: Selvaggia Lucarelli leaves the jury after ten years
Every beginning brings with it an end and this also applies to Selvaggia Lucarelli, in the autumn he will not sit at the jury’s desk Dancing with the stars. The reason is simple and logistical: during the broadcast period of Milly Carlucci’s show on Rai 1 she will be on Canale 5 to tell the storyIsland of the famous.
Milly Carlucci, called to have her say, responded diplomatically: «Selvaggia declared that she had undertaken a different path, but we will think about it later». But, deep down, he must have thought that on TV everyone is useful and no one is indispensable. After all, there has already been talk of new faces for weeks and soon the rumors will give way to certainties. As happened for theIsland of the famous.