Javier Rigau resurfaced on television when he joined Viernes Deluxe as a guest, with the conversation initially centered on Isabel Pantoja. Yet the interview quickly wandered into another topic: the alleged poor conditions surrounding the death of the Italian actress Gina Lollobrigida. The shift surprised viewers, turning a segment about a celebrated singer into a broader critique of media coverage and the treatment of prominent figures in show business.
As the discussion evolved toward the end, Rigau spoke about his experiences with the singer, offering a candid reflection. He recalled a moment when an exchange with the host turned tense, noting that there was a period when he felt singled out but eventually the atmosphere calmed. He described the dynamic as revealing more about the pressures of live TV than about any single public feud.
Rigau also shared that Isabel Pantoja himself had previously counseled him to endure the ensuing controversy. The advice, he said, emphasized patience and resilience in the face of sensational coverage. According to him, an artist of Pantoja’s stature could have chosen a sharp, dismissive approach, yet the conversation instead highlighted the emotional charge surrounding public figures and how easily sympathy can pull audiences into a larger narrative.
To conclude his involvement with the program, Rigau called for a thoughtful response from the network, proposing a gesture that would acknowledge the emotional labor involved in presenting ongoing content about public figures. He suggested that Mediaset Spain consider compensating Pantoja for the extensive on-air material produced in that episode and beyond. The discussion prompted a counterpoint from Kiko Matamoros, who characterized the idea as a matter under investigation, underscoring how viewer expectations and network responsibilities often collide in live formats.