Francesca Fialdini joins the cast of Dancing with the Stars: "Mary Poppins or Carla Fracci?"

The cast of 'Dancing with the Stars' has a new contestant. Francesca Fialdini will be competing on Milly Carlucci's Saturday night show, airing September 27 on Rai1.

Once again, the news of her joining the cast comes with a video , once again ironic, posted on the program's Instagram profile.

The host, in fact, wearing a black tutu, ballet shoes, and two elastic bands on her knees , practices and responds to a voice-over that asks her: "What figure would that be?" and she replies "a plissé". Hence the correction: "It's a plié, Francesca, a plié" . "I told Milly," explains Fialdini, "I don't know how to dance, I can't tell a rumba from a salsa from geometry. In fact, I've never gotten a straight A in math." And her interlocutor again: "It's the pelvis that has to go to the floor, Francesca" and Fialdini: "Not me?" Then a final exchange: "The shoulders, Francesca, the shoulders! We're going to see some great things... ", says her interlocutor, and she observes: "That's another program", referring to the show hosted by Carlo Conti .

The post accompanying the video reads: "She's studying, she's sweating, she's already training . The dance floor awaits her, and Francesca Fialdini isn't holding back." The host, for her part, asks users on her profile: " Mary Poppins or Carla Fracci? See you on 'Dancing with the Stars'."

Milly Carlucci (Getty)

The journalist and television presenter, born in 1979, joins the other four confirmed names in the new cast: Mrs. Coriandoli/Maurizio Ferrini, Andrea Delogu, Rosa Chemical and Marcella Bella.

Maurizio Ferrini, 72, aka Mrs. Coriandoli, was the first official name in the cast. The announcement came via the program's official social media channels, with a very funny video.

“I have a secret to share, as long as you don't tell anyone,” Coriandoli said in the presentation video. “ Milly Carlucci, who is also a friend of mine, wanted me on Dancing with the Stars . ” The comedian expressed curiosity to meet the dancer who will join him on this new television adventure.

Maurizio Ferrini, guest on "Che Tempo Che Fa" (Getty)

Confirmation of Rosa Chemical's participation also arrived via the program's social media profile.

"Rosa Chemical is arriving and the world of Dancing with the Stars is filled with originality, energy and provocation. Officially a new contestant in this twentieth edition ," reads the presentation video shared on Dancing with the Stars' social media profiles .

In the clip, the twenty-seven-year-old appears to be asleep, leaning against a desk: “ You thought I was asleep, huh? No, because sleepers don't catch fish and, above all, they don't get to go on Dancing with the Stars. And I'll be there, see you there .”

Sanremo 2024, second evening: Rosa Chemical from the Suzuki Stage (Getty Images)

February 7, 2024

Another prominent name in this edition of the Rai 1 talent show is Andrea Delogu , who in the presentation video is contacted by phone by Giulia Vecchio (a Milly Carlucci impersonator) who says: “Andrea! Andrea Delogu! Or Andrea the redhead? What do you prefer to be called? You're in the cast of Dancing with the Stars!”

Andrea Delogu's participation represents a real coup for Milly Carlucci, considering she is one of the most beloved and versatile Rai presenters of the moment.

Andrea Delogu arrives at the dock of the Hotel Excelsior for the 80th Venice International Film Festival (GettyImages)

Marcella Bella, one of the queens of Italian song, has also confirmed her participation.

"I'll be there too at the twentieth edition of Dancing with the Stars, just think!" the singer announced in an emotional video. "I'll try to dance just for you and I'll give it my all . I'll try to be tough, strong but with a little light-heartedness and above all with a lot of heart."

The arrival of Marcella Bella promises sparks, considering her strong character and possible clashes with the jury, in particular with Selvaggia Lucarelli and Guillermo Mariotto .

Marcella Bella sings "Pelle Diamante" at the 2025 Sanremo Music Festival, second night (Ansa)

Barbara D'Urso's chances of joining the cast now seem to have faded. Despite long-standing rumors, her participation has been ruled out. According to Affari Italiani, negotiations broke down after the temporary suspension of the "Surprise Surprise " project, which would have marked her return to hosting. Last season, the presenter starred in "Ballerina per una notte," where she had a rather heated exchange with one of the judges, Selvaggia Lucarelli.

Dancing with the Stars: Barbara D'Urso "Dancer for a Night" - October 5, 2024 (RaiPlay)

With D'Urso absent, Milly Carlucci has turned her attention to other potential contestants for the next edition of "Dancing with the Stars." Among the names in the running are Chanel Totti , daughter of Francesco Totti and Ilary Blasi, and tennis player Fabio Fognini , who recently announced his retirement from tennis, actress Nancy Brilli, and journalist Piero Marrazzo .

Nancy Brilli (Ansa)