Pierluigi Diaco faced widespread criticism after asking former priest and Ballando con le Stelle contestant Alberto Ravagnani about his sexual orientation and experiences during an interview on RAI 2’s BellaMa’. The exchange prompted reactions on social media and a divide within Rai’s board of directors.

Ravagnani had appeared to discuss his participation in the Rai 1 dance show, his autobiographical book and his decision to leave the priesthood. Diaco instead asked whether he was attracted to men or women and whether he had experienced sex with another person. Ravagnani said he was attracted to women, described the question as baseless and told the presenter that he was being put in a difficult position.

Diaco argued that Ravagnani’s public profile entitled viewers to direct answers, and pressed him to respond. The interview clip circulated widely online, drawing criticism from users and public figures. The Ballando con le Stelle team also reportedly expressed strong disapproval and considered stopping contestants from appearing on BellaMa’.

Show host Milly Carlucci called the exchange “unacceptable” in an Instagram story. She said Ballando con le Stelle aimed to encourage reflection and understanding of an inclusive, complex society, and would continue to uphold respect for people.

Rai did not publicly comment on the incident, and Diaco did not refer to it during the following BellaMa’ episode. Rai board members Alessandro Di Majo and Roberto Natale, along with employee representative Davide Di Pietro, criticized what they described as an interrogative tone that risked becoming a form of aggression. Board member Federica Frangi took the opposite view, saying criticism of Diaco was disproportionate and that journalists had the right to ask direct and provocative questions.

Ravagnani also received support from Rai’s Daytime journalists’ committee, the Rai Equal Opportunities Committee and Usigrai. The Five Star Movement delegation on the parliamentary Rai oversight commission condemned the interview as a verbal attack.

Sources: ANSA Politica.