Pietro Lombardi: Accusations of violence bring back old memories

While the political headlines in late autumn 2016 were dominated by Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, the gossip columns in Germany were dominated by a completely different story: the drama surrounding Pietro Lombardi and Sarah Engels, then still Lombardi. The two singers met in 2011 on the music casting show “Deutschland sucht den Superstar” and became a couple – and a brand – practically before the eyes of the television nation. They married in 2013 and their son Alessio was born two years later.

In October 2016, their ideal world facade began to crumble. After the musician had her cell phone repaired, photos and chat histories were leaked. Photos showing Sarah Lombardi with another man were offered to the media for sale. The then 24-year-old tried to deny everything. “Someone is trying to frame us,” she said.

Pietro Lombardi and Sarah Engels: Separation scandal 2016

But things developed extremely quickly. Not a day went by without reports, without people close to Lombardi commenting. And not a day goes by without social media postings – back then, it was still via Facebook. The drama culminated in a police operation. “There was a dispute to which we were called. We have filed a criminal complaint for bodily harm,” the officers said at the time. A little later, Pietro Lombardi defended himself on Facebook. “Yes, I pushed Sarah away from me!! And I would like to apologize to Sarah for that, that was wrong. We just had differences of opinion,” was his somewhat awkward statement.

A short time later, a video filmed by Sarah showed the singer threatening his wife. “You’re a bitch!” and “I swear to God, I’m f…ing you right,” the singer raged in it. The recordings caused huge waves at the time. It was reported almost non-stop, and the public mudslinging and subsequent divorce was the main topic of gossip.

Exactly eight years have passed since the Lombardi drama. It’s already an election campaign in the USA. Again with Donald Trump – only this time his opponent is a different woman. And it seems as if history is repeating itself here too – at least in part. While Sarah Engels not only took her maiden name back but also remarried, Pietro Lombardi is engaged to influencer Laura Maria Rypa. The two have two children together.

Police operation in Cologne

On the night of October 7th there was a police operation at their shared home in Cologne. According to the paper, it was Rypa who called the police. “This happened due to Ms. Rypa’s high level of emotional excitement following the verbal argument,” the “Bild” quoted Lombardi’s lawyer, Simon Bergmann, as saying. “Since, as explained, our client did not use any violence against his fiancée nor did he injure her, the allegation of domestic violence is emphatically rejected.”

Lombardi is not allowed to approach his fiancée in the coming days and is not allowed to enter their house for the time being. It is a normal process “when there is an allegation of domestic violence.” Lombardi’s lawyer first explained that the clinic where Rypa was treated had filed a complaint of assault against the singer. The clinic, in turn, denied this to RTL.

Assault, argument, separation? A lot of things are reminiscent of the Lombardi scandal of 2016. At that time, Pietro Lombardi was considered the victim for a long time; after all, he was the cuckold who was apparently cheated on by his wife. His emotional statements on Facebook confirmed this. The public image only changed when people suddenly witnessed the marital dispute and saw Pietro aggressively threatening his wife. The story was largely fueled by the protagonists themselves. Pietro and Sarah used Facebook and interviews to make their voices heard. In this respect, Lombardi seems to have learned something in eight years.

RTL is sticking with Lombardi

Following the “Bild” reporting, Lombardi and Rypa published a joint statement. The election’s social media platform has changed since 2016 and the tone of the statement also appears more relaxed. “Due to the current headlines, we have to speak out,” both wrote in their Instagram stories. They explain that the press is trying to exacerbate their conflict. “We don’t want that, so we won’t give it a platform here and will act in the interests of our children so that the public is kept out. We understand that many have questions,” said Lombardi and Rypa.

Lombardi’s employer RTL is now sticking with the DSDS juror. “Pietro and his lawyer emphatically deny the allegations. In addition, Laura and Pietro published a statement on Instagram at the same time. RTL will continue to closely follow the developments and investigations in this matter. Today’s DSDS program will be broadcast as planned as things stand.” , says the broadcaster.

Demonstrated unity – at least as far as external communication is concerned. If the 2016 Lombardi drama is any indication, the story may not yet be told.

Transparency note: The star is part of RTL Deutschland.

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