The season’s finale of Friday Deluxe became the focal point of a clash between a segment of the show’s crew and Anabel Pantoja. Host María Patiño conveyed to the audience that a dialogue with Anabel had taken place, framing it as part of the program’s narrative. Meanwhile, as the survivor headed toward a concert with her new partner, Yulen Pereira, a reporter stepped forward to pose questions and capture responses for the audience watching at home.
When Anabel spotted the journalist, she greeted him with a courteous, if firm, compliment and explained she could not pause the moment to stand before cameras with an enlarged crowd watching. The journalist pressed on with his journalistic duty, but Anabel asserted her boundaries with a clear corrective. She stated that she did not owe anyone a long courtesy of questions and that she preferred to enjoy a quiet moment with a drink before heading to the concert, noting the crowd’s sheer size and her own sensation of being overwhelmed. Her refusal came with thanks, and she moved away to continue her evening, leaving the reporter to cover the scene as best as he could.
The moment did not sit well with her colleagues on Save Me, who quickly voiced their disapproval. They argued that there was no justification for singling out a contestant for a prolonged encounter with the media after a long day. They emphasized that part of being on a reality show involves public attention, yet two questions from a partner in the show should not come at a cost to anyone. They urged that the exchange should be minimal—two questions, no drama—and that the situation could have been handled respectfully without animosity. The critique was directed at José Antonio León, who spoke out against what he viewed as an unnecessary escalation.
Rafa Mora’s stance aligned with that of his collaborator: gratitude and recognition were due to the producers, the show, and the broader team that had supported Anabel throughout the experience. He asserted that the cast and crew had stood by her during a demanding journey and that the current treatment bordered on humiliation, not deserving of what they had contributed. Belén Rodríguez admitted confusion about the emotional toll of the week but stressed that it was important to support friends, not to compound their distress by letting hostile reactions dominate the moment.
The conversation reached a closing note as María Patiño, who was guiding the program, offered some practical reflections for Anabel’s future public interactions. She suggested that if Anabel now had the means to supply more comfortable experiences for her family, it stood to reason there had been deliberate consideration behind past choices. The message emphasized the importance of balancing public attention with personal boundaries, reminding Anabel that she remains a public figure with a large audience and a real possibility to shape how she is perceived. The takeaway was clear: these situations can be navigated with careful handling of responses, ensuring the image projected aligns with both personal values and professional responsibilities, and that the public discourse remains constructive rather than confrontational.