«I’m a journalist and a dancer, why not? I smiled more but I’m the nerd ever»- Corriere.it

Luisella Costamagna, 54, and Pasquale La Rocca, 33, won the final of “Dancing with the Stars”. A bumpy goal, that of the journalist and the dancer and choreographer, “fished out” last December 17 after the injury to Costamagna during rehearsals, following which she was forced to dance, from the second episode of the dance show, with a knee brace. In the live broadcast of last October 29, the couple had decided to retire, given that the physical conditions of the reporter did not seem to improve. Encouraged by the public and the good feedback from the jury, the two held out until November 12, when the journalist, on crutches, announced that she wanted to step aside. The «Dancing» regulation then gave Costamagna and La Rocca another chance and the «repechage» that yesterday led them straight to victory.

Was he hoping to win?

«No, I hoped for the “repechage”, I wanted to get back into the race but on the condition that the return was up to the tests we had given. In every episode of “Dancing” anything can happen, so it must have been for superstition but I didn’t think about it. I know that last night I wanted to have an excellent tango, one of our flagships. Victory was a possibility, but it wasn’t in the plans, I didn’t set out to win.”

What was the goal?

»Have a good test on the track. And thinking about the public, the jury was very in tune although in some circumstances they reserved the last places for us. But I always thought they were legitimate judgements.

Where did she learn to dance, did she attend classes?

«Never took courses. I did a year of dance as a child, I must have been five or six years old. I still remember the teacher’s judgment: “Alternate busy days with others of distraction”, so my mom then took me off the course. At fifteen I took African dance lessons, I’ve always liked to dance, if the situation puts me at ease I’ll let loose. The real leap was with “Ballando”, the professionalism of the dancing masters and the technique of certain dances force you to deal with the passion, the technique, with your personal pleasure … You have to harness your instinct it is very tiring but rewarding . Ballroom dancing with a master like Pasquale, very good but demanding, is heavy for someone like me who isn’t particularly trained».

Would you repeat the «Ballando» experience?

“Yes, run! Milly had already asked me to participate in the past but I didn’t feel ready. In the ups and downs of the “Dancing” rehearsal I have always been gratified by the affection of the public, it is an experience that I recommend. But, I repeat, you have to prepare yourself physically. Age and a not particularly tonic physique, with “Agorà” (the political talk show on Rai3 hosted by Costamagna with my colleague Marco Carrara) I spent two sedentary years, they didn’t help me ».

From journalist to dancer: two seemingly contrasting paths…

“Because? I dive and it’s certainly not a sporting activity that affects my credibility. I didn’t reinvent my career by taking part in “Ballando”, I lived the experience as a chance to get back into the game. From every point of view. A entertainmenta passion. An element that fits perfectly with the profession. Of course I smiled more, the context allowed it: if you interview a politician and talk about the war in Ukraine why should you smile? “Dancing” was a “rehab”, a new breath. In which I put myself on the line with the same “ringworm”, grit, “nerd” and will to do my best».

She will also have fun…

«Everyone said to me “you’ll see how much fun you’ll have”, and it was certainly fun. But the commitment behind “Ballando” is enormous, as is dealing with something you can’t do. After so much work, recognition is gratifying, but it is a tough commitment, the preparation of the show is treated in every detail, music, costumes, choreography. And Milly follows everything with tenacity and meticulousness, from the choice of hairstyle to that of the costume, the glove or the band. The program is an oiled but complicated machine, four hours of transmission are a demanding challenge».

Codacons intends to ask Rai for access to the social votes of the final.

“I’m not aware of the controversy. Like every year, the votes are public, and this year a “task force” was also put in place with the task of “supervising” that there were no irregularities, or suspicious “fluctuations” in the votes. This edition has generated a lot of controversy that has little to do with dance moves, but the trappings of competition are inevitable in a four-hour program which then registers 30 percent of the audience. As far as I’ve seen, the votes we missed from social networks were compensated for by the jury, which voted for us almost compactly”.

So doesn’t controversy spoil your party?

«I think it could also be legitimate to ruin the party, I gave all of myself, I took to the track working to the best of my ability, the jury can judge me as they see fit, the jury is an area to always respect and in any case. At “Ballando” the challenge was with myself on the dance floor, and I must say that the home crowd has always supported us solidly».

Future plans?

“No one in particular, I live hand to mouth. The goal right now is to rest because the challenge was tiring. I want to get back in shape then I’ll decide what to do, there are some projects to define. For now, I’m enjoying the prize, the most beautiful and unexpected Christmas present».