Francesca Manzini Declines Invitation to Italy’s ‘L’Isola dei Famosi’

Italian television personality Francesca Manzini, known for her appearances on Grande Fratello Vip and the adventure‑reality series The Unknown, publicly refused to join the Rai 2 contest L'Isola dei Famosi. In a response to a fan’s request she said, “Even if they paid off my mortgage I would not go,” adding that the prospect of boarding an helicopter and facing high‑altitude or aerial challenges would cause a “melodrama.”

Manzini also cited personal discomfort with the show’s physical demands, such as hunger‑related tests and the possibility of losing weight, as well as the intense media exposure the program entails. The programme’s casting continues, with names such as Caroline Tronelli, Carmen Russo, Raffaella Fico, Walter Nudo, Aida Yespica and several younger models and entertainers being floated for the upcoming season.