Zara McDermott speaks out about the dismissal of Graziano Di Prima from Strictly and discloses “incredibly disturbing incidents”
Following Graziano di Prima’s dismissal from Strictly Come Dancing due to allegations that he had verbally and physically mistreated her, Zara McDermott has spoken out.
The 27-year-old Love Island actress posted on Instagram early on Tuesday, saying that although much of her time with Graziano, 31, in the training room “was everything I could have dreamt of,” there were some “particular incidents which are incredibly distressing.”
“After reading the recent media reports, I thought it was appropriate to post something,” Zara continued. “Strictly is one of the most amazing TV shows, and I’ve wanted to be on it since I was a little child.”
It was truly a dream come true for me as a child to be invited to compete on the show. I gave Strictly my whole attention because I knew it would require a great deal of dedication and labor.
“I am a strong individual, and I was ready to work hard and do whatever it took.”
And a great deal of my Strictly experience fulfilled all of my fantasies. My fellow contenders and the entire production staff were an incredible pleasure to work with, as was everyone behind the scenes.
But what happened to me in the training room was quite different.
There have been reports of how I was treated on the show, and there have been eyewitness accounts of certain situations along with really upsetting videos of specific incidents.
‘Scared’ of the repercussions, Zara stated, she didn’t disclose the occurrences at the time.
Rather, it was junior members of the production team who came forward to describe what they had seen during pro dancer Giovanni Pernice’s probe.
Zara posted on Instagram, saying, “I have wrested with the fear of opening up – I was scared about public backlash, I was scared about my future, and I was scared of victim shaming.”
I was requested to speak with the BBC, and I was honest about my time on the show. However, after many conversations with the people I love, I have the strength to tackle my anxieties.
I have struggled with my fear of being vulnerable; I was afraid of being victimized, of public criticism, and of my future. However, after having numerous chats with the people I care about, I was able to overcome these worries and, when requested to speak with the BBC, I opened up about my experience on the show.
People find it hard to speak up because of the culture in our society, particularly in a time when social media ideas and voices are so prevalent. I have witnessed this firsthand from my numerous collaborations with women on my projects.
In addition to thanking everyone who has contacted me, I would also like to thank the BBC and BBC Studios for their prompt action and very high level of support. It really does mean a lot. Love never fades. Zara.
According to insiders, Graziano is packing up his life in the UK and moving to Italy with his spouse Giada, a fellow dancer who competes on the Italian version of Strictly Come Dancing.
“Graziano is petrified and in a bad place,” an insider said, describing how the dancer has gone into hiding after being fired from the BBC and his plans to sue the broadcaster.
Giada, his wife, is supporting him, and the two of them intend to return to Italy. The insider told The Sun, “He knows that this has killed his career.”
“It is best for him and Giada to return to Italy for a fresh start.”
Prior to being fired, Graziano was scheduled to compete in his seventh season of Strictly, and MailOnline on Monday disclosed that he is suing the BBC.
Following news that Strictly Come Dancing star Graziano Di Prima is suing the broadcaster, the BBC has vowed to fight back.
The Sicilian dancer feels that, in light of his bosses’ warnings over his treatment of former Love Island star Zara, he ought to have received “support and help” with his actions.
The BBC, however, will push back, an insider told the Mail, asking why any workplace—especially one that is funded by the public—would provide assistance to a somebody who behaved in an obviously reprehensible way.
The man who ‘kicked and hit’ Zara, Graziano, claims he didn’t receive any guidance on how to handle the pressure of competing on the show.
“There are questions over their procedures, and how they operate behind the scenes,” a friend of the professional dancer stated yesterday.
“He [Di Prima] thinks professionals are under a lot of pressure to perform well enough to win nines or tens in order to keep the audience entertained.”
According to MailOnline, when Strictly production employees voiced concerns about Graziano’s behavior last year, managers simply took the necessary steps to issue him with a series of subdued warnings.
The gang anticipated that he would be fired right away. They are reportedly incensed that Zara’s mistreatment was permitted to go on while their protests went unanswered. Even the next Strictly Come Dancing 2024 series had Graziano signed up.
According to a show insider, there were numerous instances of verbal and physical abuse. It was all terrible, but more of it was physical than verbal.
Nine months after the staff’s first complaint, Graziano was not fired until they saw a video that purportedly showed him punching Zara repeatedly.
They gave it to the BBC HR officials looking into Giovanni Pernice, a dancer, in response to Amanda, his 2023 partner, claiming he had harassed her during training.
Pernice left the show last month and disputes the accusations.
A “devastated” Grazinao took to Instagram over the weekend to address his resignation from the show, writing, “I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly.”
My great drive and will to succeed may have had an impact on my training schedule.
“I recognize that it’s only appropriate for the benefit of the show that I step away, while still honoring the BBC HR process.” I recognize the delicate nature of the case, which is why I am disappointed that I was not permitted to provide a quote for the web news articles.
I am devoted to standing strong for my family and friends, even though there is more to this tale than I am able to talk about right now. I hope the Strictly family has the best possible future.
In an attempt to escape the crisis as unharmed as possible, the Mail disclosed yesterday that he has engaged a publicist and a lawyer.
There has been a noticeable shift in the public’s sympathy for Graziano as more startling claims regarding his dismissal have surfaced.
His followers and well-known acquaintances had previously supported him. Notable people who liked and commented on his Instagram post announcing his resignation included Catherine Tyldesley, Susannah Constantine, and fellow Strictly stars Katya Jones.
But Catherine, who appeared on the show in 2019 alongside Johannes Radebe, has now deleted one of her more encouraging remarks.
More than ten million people still watch the BBC program, and this is the latest setback as accusations against fellow Strictly star Giovanni Pernice are still being looked at.
Graziano entered Strictly in 2018 and was paired with Love Island star Zara the previous year; however, they were evicted in the sixth week.
He had previously been paired with actress Kym Marsh in the quarterfinals of 2022, presenter Vick Hope, and Loose Women star Judi Love.
