A heated exchange unfolded during the press conference for the fourth season of Imma Tataranni, igniting tension between actress Vanessa Scalera and author Mariolina Venezia. The meeting, held in Rome and aimed at promoting the upcoming episodes airing on RaiUno starting February 23, 2025, was meant to celebrate the show’s success but quickly turned contentious.
All started when a journalist pointed out to Scalera, who recently attended the Sanremo Festival, her omission of gratitude toward Venezia during her brief appearance on stage. Rather than deflecting the criticism, Scalera responded candidly, admitting, “Me ne sono proprio dimenticata! Ma da sempre ho un rapporto particolare con gli sceneggiatori, Mariolina ha scritto un personaggio straordinario,” acknowledging her forgetfulness but praising the character created by Venezia.
Venezia, present during the press conference, did not take the oversight lightly. Launching her own sharp retort, she declared, “Avendo io creato il personaggio di Imma Tataranni, non posso che essere una fan di tutti gli ingrati. Ringrazio Vanessa per la sua ingratitudine, perché spesso non mi ha ringraziato: è una donna libera, non a caso interpreta un personaggio libero come Imma.” These words struck at the heart of the issue, framing Scalera’s actions as representative of broader artistic independence.
The nature of their dynamic has often been complicated, with both parties exhibiting past tensions since the series debuted. Venezia has expressed her reservations about Scalera’s physical suitability for the role of Imma Tataranni, leading to simmering discontent behind the scenes. At the press conference, Scalera defended her position, asserting, “E’ una polemica volgare, non ti devo nulla,” pointingly rejecting the notion of any obligation toward Venezia.
Massimiliano Gallo, who plays Imma’s husband and was also present, attempted to diffuse the situation. He noted, “Parliamo di un intervento fatto a Sanremo a tarda sera di due minuti. Vanessa ha chiesto scusa per essersi dimenticata,” emphasizing the hurried nature of the Sanremo appearance as potential grounds for misunderstanding.
This public squabble highlights the often-contentious interplay between creators and performers, particularly within the sphere of popular culture where public perception can greatly influence personal reputations. The fallout from Scalera’s forgetfulness reveals the underlying frustrations, bringing to light not only the challenges faced by those involved but also the complex relationship dynamics often hidden from the audiences.
Venezia continued her defense, contextualizing her remarks by saying, “Con un pizzico di provocazione, come farebbe la mia Imma, ho voluto fare un elogio dell’ingratitudine,” insisting her statements aimed to provoke thought rather than create discord. Nonetheless, the exchange has cast clouds over the otherwise celebratory launch of the new season.
Despite the evident rift, both women appear to recognize the importance of continuing the project they’ve brought to life. “Ciò che conta è che sia una brava attrice, che è riuscita a interpretare magistralmente un personaggio tanto diverso da lei dal punto di vista fisico,” Venezia remarked, affirming Scalera’s talent even amid their disputes. Even so, the bitterness shared at the press conference leaves uncertainty over future interactions as the new season prepares to launch.
The upcoming fourth season of Imma Tataranni stands to not only entertain audiences with its intriguing storylines but also serve as the backdrop for the continuing evolution of its leading figures’ professional relationship. With the fifth season already on the horizon, fans will be eager to see how these tensions might play out on screen and behind the scenes. Whatever the case may be, the show must go on, and as both Scalera and Venezia navigate their professional paths, viewers remain piqued for what lies ahead.