Imagine going about your regular work routine, completely unaware that an unexpected wardrobe mishap is about to make you go viral. That’s exactly what happened to Italian journalist Costanza Calabrese during a live TG5 news broadcast in 2016, and it didn’t take long for the internet to take notice.
Calabrese, a seasoned journalist who has also appeared in several Italian films, became an overnight internet sensation—not for her reporting skills, but for an unfortunate on-air blunder that continues to resurface years later.
At the time, Calabrese, then 38, was seated behind what appeared to be a standard newsroom desk, confidently delivering the evening news. Everything seemed professional and composed as the segment began, with a close-up shot focusing on her upper body. But as the camera slowly zoomed out, viewers quickly noticed something unusual—the desk was entirely transparent, revealing much more than she had intended.
Oblivious to the see-through nature of the desk, Calabrese had positioned herself in a way that left her exposed once the camera angle widened. The unfortunate wardrobe oversight immediately caught the attention of a sharp-eyed viewer, who wasted no time uploading the clip to YouTube. In no time, the footage went viral, amassing over a million views and generating a whirlwind of reactions across social media platforms.
The internet, as always, had plenty to say. Some viewers sympathized with Calabrese, blaming the production team for failing to warn her about the transparency of the desk. Many questioned how such an oversight could have happened in a professional newsroom setting, while others couldn’t resist making lighthearted jokes about the situation.
One viewer commented, “Poor woman! Someone on set should have given her a heads-up!” while another humorously added, “Journalism 101: Always be transparent!”
This wasn’t the first time a journalist had fallen victim to a glass desk blunder. In October 2014, a similar incident occurred when Calabrese, alongside fellow journalists Paola Rivetta and Barbara Pedri, unintentionally revealed more than intended due to the clear desk in the studio. Though such moments are unfortunate, they have sparked discussions about professionalism in live broadcasting and the responsibilities of production teams in preventing such mishaps.
Live television is unpredictable, and mistakes can happen in the blink of an eye. However, some blunders, like this one, seem to linger in the annals of internet history. While it may have been an embarrassing moment for Calabrese, it also served as a reminder of the importance of being aware of one’s surroundings—especially when working at a glass desk.
