“Habemus” tomato appears in Survivors as a central symbol, and at the heart of the narrative stands Carmen Borrego. The daughter of María Teresa Campos finds herself amid a media storm on Telecinco as the latest incarnation of the reality series unfolds. She faces ongoing clashes with fellow contestants and has, at times, been temporarily taken off the island to undergo mental health evaluation.
Carmen Borrego is drawing strong reactions from viewers of the popular Mediaset competition. Many fans have watched her performance closely and have voiced concerns about a perceived passive approach to the challenges and trials she encounters. Critics argue that her approach to the competition seems to reflect a certain laziness in how her journey on the Survivors expedition is developing.
Among the cast, Ángel Cristo Jr. has been involved in notable disagreements with Campos’s daughter, and these tensions have rippled through other participants as well, including Arantxa del Sol from Asturias, who has publicly expressed frustration with Borrego’s conduct within the show.
From the outside, Carmen Borrego appears to be enduring a difficult stretch on the survival reality program. Cameras captured moments when the television contributor shed tears, and she also faced physical strain, including an upset stomach and periods of limited food availability. At one point she even experienced vomiting.
Additionally, there were signs of emotional strain, culminating in moments of intense distress that prompted a request to withdraw from the program. While acknowledging the loyalty she feels toward Telecinco, she stated that she did not wish to depart the show at that moment.
The medical team for Survivors ultimately decided to remove her from the island to assess her situation following an episode of anxiety. The aim is to determine whether it is appropriate for her to continue in the competition.
Anger among the audience
Telecinco’s decision to temporarily remove Borrego sparked a wave of criticism from viewers who have followed her performance closely on Supervivientes. The controversy has fueled discussions on the set, with commentators and fans weighing in on the handling of the situation.
Audience members did not hesitate to express dissatisfaction with the production’s approach to Borrego. Several examples of reactions from viewers were shared, reflecting a mix of disbelief, concern, and a desire for fair treatment of participants:
I don’t believe this. It feels like a prearranged privilege. Anxiety makes it hard to stay calm in a situation like hers. Let her stay, not disappear from the screen for days.
Some felt the decision was highly scripted, while others signaled a need for accountability from the program’s leadership. A few described the situation as orchestrated and not reflective of the show’s actual dynamics.
Many viewers expressed that the cast experiences a stressful environment, and some begged for a clearer, more consistent approach to how participants are treated. The debate touched on perceptions of control, fairness, and the overall direction of the competition.
There were also criticisms of the spectacle itself, with comments suggesting the island sometimes feels like a stage for drama rather than a straightforward survival challenge. The conversation touched on issues of favoritism and the emotional toll on contestants, highlighting broader questions about how reality television should be produced and moderated.
These reactions illustrate why the Survivors audience is so engaged. The temporary removal of Carmen Borrego from the island remains a focal point for discussions about ethics, viewer influence, and the responsibilities of reality programs toward their participants.