With a video published on her Instagram profile, the presenter of the Island of the Famous Vladimir Luxuria replies to Francesco Benigno’s transphobic insults.
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Vladimir Luxuriapresenter ofIsland of the famousresponds with a video published on his Instagram profile to the transphobic insults received from Francesco Benigno, actor disqualified after an argument with Artur Dainese. The professional waited a few days before exposing herself and responding to the vulgar complaints she had been subjected to.
Vladimir Luxuria’s video
“When you are in a position of great exposure, when you host a television programme, it is clear that there is criticism and you have to know how to accept it. It’s part of the package, right? Even when they’re hard, even when it’s not easy. You have to know how to accept them“, Luxuria declares in the opening of the video published on her profile, “But no insults, dear Mr. Benigno. I don’t accept insults. I am 58 years old, I have heard many insults in my life. I built myself armor. Yet it’s not easy. Even today, certain offenses hurt me. I decided not to get used to it, to react every time and I do it this time too. I do it for me, I do it for the people who love me, for people like me. I do it for all the people who believe in respect and civility”. Vladimir then blamed the former castaway’s attitude after the disqualification in light of his professional history:
Because, Mr Benigno, you have attacked the most precious thing I have: my identity, my dignity. And I won’t let him do that. She is the one who owes her popularity to a beautiful film, Mery forever, with Michele Placido and the extraordinary Alessandra Di Sanzo. Film that among other themes also touched on the theme of transphobia. Now you write those things against me? I understand you’re running out of topics. I could have said these things on television with a powerful medium. I would also have given her the satisfaction of being mentioned on television, of having her visibility. But no, I do it on equal terms: just as she insulted me heavily on social media, I respond calmly on social media. Because I have developed a belief in my life, that the people who insult are not defining the people who are insulted, but are defining themselves. And reading those things so vulgar, so un-Christian about me, you have defined what kind of man he is.
Vladimir Luxuria will not report Francesco Benigno
Finally, the presenter of the Island announces that she will not proceed from a legal point of view against Benigno: “I’ve never reported anyone and I know that if I reported her I could probably get some money out of her. But I don’t do it, especially out of respect for your son, because I know that the economic situation is not prosperous and I don’t feel like making him pay for things that he has nothing to do with. My only lawyer will be, as always, my conscience. And now, in the case of Mr Benigno, you will be able to write what you want on social media. Silence falls for me”.
