Valeria Marini tears up over Nino Frassica's Sanremo joke, demands public apology

Valeria Marini broke down in tears on the talk show "La Volta Buona" after being asked about a joke made by comedian Nino Frassica during the Sanremo 2026 festival finale.

During a sketch with host Carlo Conti on the fourth evening of the festival, Frassica referenced Marini, saying she had recently undergone lip surgery and could not attend. He then recited an incomprehensible message while mimicking a swollen mouth, alluding to cosmetic procedures.

When host Caterina Balivo asked Marini for her reaction on Thursday, the showgirl became visibly upset. "I found it very offensive," Marini said, her voice breaking as she began to cry. She left the studio briefly before returning to her seat.

Marini explained that she had written privately to Frassica and received apologies in private messages. However, she said she was waiting for a public apology. "Nino Frassica is a person I respect very much, Carlo is a person I have worked with many times and I adore him," she said. "He made a very offensive comment about me, and it was not just me who said so—he even asked me for forgiveness. He could have made other jokes."

The showgirl stated she remained unsatisfied with the private nature of his response. "I am still waiting for Nino Frassica's public apologies," she said. She also expressed concern about the broader message such humor sends. "I find it wrong to denigrate someone who has success in Italy," Marini added.

On Thursday, Frassica responded by posting a video on X without issuing a statement. The video showed him performing the same sketch during an appearance on the program "Che Tempo che Fa." When Marini watched the video, she laughed rather than cried, according to reports.

Marini noted that she had previously worked with both Frassica and Conti on other projects, making the experience more difficult for her.