A light-hearted feud has erupted between French President Emmanuel Macron and Rome’s Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, with both leaders vying for Emily Cooper, the main character in Emily in Paris, to stay in their respective cities.
In an interview with Variety, Macron expressed his desire for the popular Netflix series to remain in Paris, following reports that the upcoming season will see Emily splitting her time between Paris and Rome. “We will fight hard. And we will ask them to remain in Paris!” Macron declared, insisting that the show wouldn’t make sense if it moved to Rome.
The show’s creator, Darren Star, previously shared with Netflix’s Tudum that while Emily will have new adventures in Rome, she will still maintain a strong presence in Paris. However, the idea of Rome sharing the spotlight has raised a friendly rivalry between the two cities.
Rome’s Mayor Gualtieri responded with a cheeky message on social media, urging Macron to “take it easy” and asserting that “Emily in Rome is perfect.” He also questioned Macron’s focus, suggesting that the French leader has “more pressing matters” than the fictional character’s location.
In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Gualtieri emphasized that Netflix’s decisions are independent of political influence. He welcomed the show’s presence in Rome, seeing it as a testament to the city’s growing appeal, and advised Macron to relax.
Darren Star explained that the shift to Rome was meant to broaden the show’s scope. He described Rome as “the other great romantic city in Europe,” complementing Paris in a unique way. The show’s expansion, he added, reflects Italy’s renowned status in fashion and design, much like France.
As the show continues to celebrate both cities’ charm, it seems Emily’s adventures will spark an ongoing and entertaining cultural rivalry between Paris and Rome.
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