Premiere results and opening routines

The new season of Rai 1 dance competition Ballando con le stelle launched on Saturday, 3 October 2026, without eliminating any of the twelve competing couples. Television personality Aurora Ramazzotti and professional dancer Nikita Perotti secured victory in the opening episode following a technical jive routine. Other participants advancing directly to the second episode include athlete Andy Diaz with Gioia Giovanetti, actress Anna Safroncik with Leonardo Lini, and former footballer Alessandro Matri with Giada Lini. Contestants Riccardo Rossi, Massimo Ghini, and Jimmy Ghione received lower evaluations from the judges during their debut performances.

Debuts and disputes on the judging panel

The broadcast introduced an updated judging line-up featuring television host Barbara D'Urso, who joined the panel in the seat previously occupied by Selvaggia Lucarelli alongside Simona Ventura and Francesca Fialdini. D'Urso experienced an equipment problem during her first evaluation when she could not locate her number five paddle after comparing Jimmy Ghione to television character Gabibbo, attempting to take a paddle from technical judge Carolyn Smith. A dispute emerged later when D'Urso evaluated a tango performed by actress Ornella Muti and professional dancer Pasquale La Rocca. D'Urso stated that she felt neither passion nor interpretation in the performance, triggering whistles and boos from the studio audience and a sharp exchange with Simona Ventura.

“I am a victim of people who decided to say and tell bad things about me.”

Personal reflections on the dance floor

Around midnight, contestant Noemi Bocchi took the floor alongside dancer Giovanni Pernice to perform a samba, receiving a standing ovation from the audience. In pre-dance rehearsal footage, Bocchi explained that she entered the competition to establish her individual identity rather than being recognized solely as the partner of former footballer Francesco Totti. After the routine, Bocchi wept while addressing the public scrutiny that followed the end of Totti's previous marriage to Ilary Blasi.

“I do not feel I have ruined anything for anyone. If a couple reaches the point of breaking up, the blame is fifty-fifty.”

Host Milly Carlucci offered support from the stage, addressing the media attention surrounding Bocchi's public profile.

“You are a massive media figure, through no fault of your own. And now you are in the eye of the storm.”

Panellist Simona Ventura also defended Bocchi during the scoring segment, stating that relationship breakups stem from pre-existing issues rather than new partners.

“Relationships end, and when what happened to you occurs, there are pre-existing problems. It is not the fault of the woman who comes in next.”

Pacing, bonus points, and second-round roster

The broadcast extended late into the night, concluding its run at 1:40 AM with a special appearance by journalist Federica Sciarelli as a guest dancer. The episode distributed several bonus point allocations, known as the tesoretto, which altered the provisional scoreboard. Simona Ventura assigned her bonus points to singer Eugenio Finardi, Francesca Fialdini awarded hers to actress Monica Guerritore, and Rossella Erra gave her bonus allocation to Noemi Bocchi. Host Milly Carlucci confirmed that all participating couples, including Manuela Moreno with Carlo Aloia and Alberto Ravanelli with Erika Martinelli, will return to compete in the second episode next Saturday.