Ornella Muti joins Ballando con le Stelle cast for 2026 season

Italian actress Ornella Muti has officially joined the cast of the 21st edition of Ballando con le Stelle, serving as the 13th contestant. The announcement was made via social media in a video featuring her daughter, Naike Rivelli. The show is scheduled to premiere on Rai 1 on October 3, 2026, hosted by Milly Carlucci.

The full cast includes a diverse group of personalities such as Aurora Ramazzotti, Alessandro Matri, Eugenio Finardi, Noemi Bocchi, Jimmy Ghione, Riccardo Rossi, Anna Safroncik, Manuela Moreno, Monica Guerritore, Alberto Ravagnani, Massimo Ghini, and Andy Diaz.

Simultaneously, discussions regarding the show's jury have surfaced. Reports suggest that Barbara D'Urso may not join the panel to replace Selvaggia Lucarelli, with journalist Gabriele Parpiglia citing economic constraints and budget limitations as the primary reason for her absence. Potential alternatives for the jury or the 'tesoretto' segment include Simona Ventura, Francesca Fialdini, or Luca Barbareschi.

In other television news, Mediaset has confirmed the return of Maria De Filippi's major programs, including C’è posta per te, for the 2026/2027 season. Additionally, Uccio De Santis is set to celebrate 26 years of the Mudù format in Matera on September 12, 2026, with the program moving to a prime-time slot on Rai 2 starting January 3, 2027.