Graziano Di Prima Talks About Zara McDermott Incident

Graziano Di Prima, a professional dancer from "Strictly Come Dancing," has publicly addressed the allegations made by Zara McDermott, which he claims have "ruined" his life. Di Prima was removed from the show following accusations that he kicked McDermott during a rehearsal last year. The alleged incident, which has not been substantiated with public footage, has left Di Prima bewildered and distressed. In his first interview since the controversy, he described the claims as "vile" and "false," expressing confusion over their origin. Di Prima recounted the intense practice sessions leading up to the incident, emphasizing that he never intended to harm McDermott. He explained that his foot inadvertently brushed against her after he kicked the floor, insisting, "I’m not a monster." The dancer revealed that the fallout from the allegations has led him to experience "ugly thoughts," particularly given his friendship with McDermott after their time on the show. In response to the situation, McDermott acknowledged her struggles with fear and the potential for public backlash when she decided to come forward. She described her "Strictly" experience as largely positive but noted that there were distressing moments, supported by witnesses and video evidence. McDermott's statement highlights the complexities of addressing such sensitive issues in the public eye, urging those affected by similar experiences to seek help from organizations like Rape Crisis.