Antonella Elia has been named the first finalist of Grande Fratello VIP 2026, sparking an explosive reaction from fellow housemate Paola Caruso.
The announcement came during a live studio segment where Elia faced off against Alessandra Mussolini in a public vote. Despite her self-deprecating remarks — calling herself “musona” and “catatonica” — Elia won over viewers, securing her place in the finale.
Following her victory, Elia exercised her new power as first finalist by nominating Paola Caruso for the next eviction. She cited a past comment from Caruso — “I’m afraid I won’t know how to behave” — as the reason, saying she had distanced herself due to disapproval of Caruso’s conduct.
Caruso’s response was immediate and furious. In the garden, she lashed out at Elia, calling her a “psychopath” and an “animal,” accusing the public of rewarding inappropriate behavior. Her frustration quickly escalated, with Caruso threatening to quit the show entirely, declaring she no longer wanted to remain in the house with Elia.
She also hinted at possible legal action, mentioning lawyers and lawsuits, claiming Elia had made offensive remarks during the season.
Marco Berry weighed in on the confrontation, suggesting Caruso’s outburst stemmed from emotional fragility rather than strategy, describing it as a struggle to cope with loss and competition.
The tension extended beyond the Elia-Caruso feud. Alessandra Mussolini found herself under fire from Renato Biancardi and Marco Berry, who accused her of being provocative and calculating. Mussolini denied the claims, arguing that others were forming alliances against her and pointing to hypocrisy in the house.
Despite the drama, Elia celebrated her achievement with enthusiasm, embracing the studio audience. Host Ilary Blasi struggled at times to manage the intense atmosphere but maintained control through a mix of irony and firmness.
The fallout has left the house sharply divided, with alliances shifting and emotions running high as the competition moves toward its climax.
