THE‘2026 edition of Dancing with the stars it promises to be one of the most revolutionary ever, between historic farewells and unexpected vetoes. It was the landlady who traced the route for this radical renewal, Milly Carluccion June 3, speaking directly from the Ministry of Culture on the sidelines of the presentation of his next show World Champions. Italy loves UNESCO. In front of journalists, the presenter openly addressed the media earthquake that is inflaming the web, making Selvaggia Lucarelli’s exit official after ten years and announcing very strict rules for competitors. A strategic intervention with which Rai 1’s Saturday night lady wanted to lock down the identity of the program before the summer, shutting down fantasy gossip and putting the freshness of the show back at the centre.
Milly Carlucci confirms Selvaggia Lucarelli’s farewell to Dancing with the stars
The most important news related to Dancing with the stars 2026 inevitably concerns the jury. Selvaggia Lucarelli will host the next edition of‘Island of the Famouson Canale 5, making its presence incompatible dancing show of Rai 1. Milly Carlucci wanted to clarify the situation with extreme class, shutting down the gossip but making the journalist’s exit official: «Selvaggia, to whom all my affection always goes, has declared that he had taken a different path with great affection and great friendship on our part, but we will think about what will happen later. I’m not a full jury now».
Milly Carlucci and the jury of Dancing with the Stars 2025, of which Selvaggia Lucarelli was part. (ANSA / CIRO FUSCO)
Is Barbara D’Urso coming? No. For now
And on the alleged landing of Barbara d’Urso in the fixed cast, insistently advertised by the newspapers? The hostess prefers to smile at the media noise, considering it almost a thermometer of the success of the program: «We are very happy with this exercise of imagination because it means to hold Dancing with the stars at the center of national attention. I’m not making any total jury because, really, we’re not talking about it. It’s a topic we should think about all summer to then arrive at a solution in September, given that the jury is the driving force of the program».
The cast of Dancing with the Stars 2026: the new anti-reality rule
The real strategic turning point of this edition, however, is reflected in the cast selection criteria. Milly Carlucci has imposed a rigorous editorial line, deciding to categorically exclude the characters who have already worn out their public image on the stages of other reality showslike the Big Brother or The Island of the Famous. A strong choice, aimed at preserving authenticity and the surprise effect in the eyes of the public: «They have already told themselvesin detail, on another stage. So everything that involves the discovery of the character would no longer be possible.” No recycled personal dynamics, therefore, but space only for unpublished stories ready to get naked on the parquet.
Barbara D’Urso and Pasquale La Rocca on Dancing with the Stars. (ANSA/ETTORE FERRARI)
Saxa Rubra Management: the forced move
The big news doesn’t stop at the faces, but also affects the casing of the show. After historic seasons spent in the setting of the Foro Italico, Dancing with the stars officially moves to the Saxa Rubra studios. A forced change, given that Rai did not renew the lease for the Foro Italico Auditorium. The presenter, however, approaches it with the typical philosophy of great women, comparing it to a real inventory of one’s existence: «The change of location is another important fact. It’s one of those opportunities for growth. It’s like what happens when you move house when you you are forced to examine what you need and what you don’t needwe too will be forced to take an inventory of who we are, how we are, how we move.”
Milly Carlucci’s mantra: looking ahead without nostalgia
Who dreamed reheated soups or nostalgic returns – including that one much talked about Raimondo Todaro – he will have to come to terms with it. For Carlucci the past is a splendid but happily closed chapter: «He has already returned to Dancing for the 20th anniversary celebration. Every time we are trying to move forward and change all of our permanent cast, even in a small way, without leaving anyone behind, but to always be very present on current events.” In the mare magnum of a television fragmented into a thousand streams, where “finding new titles is difficult”, the “general” recipe is very clear: renew the formula of a classic without ever losing its style
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