On April 17, 2026, Chanel Totti became the latest target of online body shaming after a promotional video for a Rome gym sparked a wave of cruel comments across social media. The 18-year-old daughter of Francesco Totti and Ilary Blasi was filmed alongside personal trainer Claudio Pallitto, inviting followers to visit the newly opened Monster Team 85 facility on Via Giacomo Bove.
What was intended as a lighthearted gym promotion quickly turned into a barrage of insults focused on her appearance, speech, and demeanor. Commenters mocked her workout habits, with some falsely claiming she weighed 100 kilograms and suggesting she attended the gym more to eat than to exercise. Others escalated their remarks to include personal attacks on her family.
In response, Pallitto released a follow-up video defending Totti and condemning the online harassment. He described the comments as “disgraceful” and “a long column of indecency” that violated not only Totti but also those who witnessed the abuse.
“From a simple video made with Chanel came out disgraceful comments, of an immense verbal violence toward a sweet girl, a beautiful soul inside and out,” Pallitto said. “You don’t know her, but maybe if you saw her on the street you’d say, ‘Chanel, can we take a selfie?’ You hide behind social media, but this verbal violence isn’t done — it’s ugly.”
He challenged the anonymity of online cruelty, asking critics to consider how they would feel if such words were directed at someone they loved. “Don’t you have someone you care about? A little sister, a mom, someone you truly care about?” he asked. “Imagine writing all those things you wrote under that video to them.”
Pallitto urged those spreading hate to seek help, stating their behavior was not normal. “Get help if you have this cruelty, this envy — because it’s not normal,” he said.
The incident echoes previous criticism Totti has faced online, including claims about cosmetic procedures that made her appear older than her age. Her brother, Christian Totti, has also experienced similar scrutiny, particularly during his brief football stint with Olbia, where comparisons to their father led to personal attacks disguised as sports analysis.
Despite the negativity, Totti maintains a strong online presence, with her Instagram account nearing 722,000 followers. She has previously responded to detractors directly, once telling critics, “I don’t seek to look like your ugly faces.”
This latest episode adds to the ongoing conversation about the toll of digital harassment on young public figures, especially those growing up in the spotlight. As Pallitto emphasized, the real issue isn’t just the words posted online — it’s the willingness to dehumanize others from behind a screen.
