The Chilean reality competition series Fiebre de Baile is already generating pre-season drama, weeks before its premiere. A key member of the show’s online reaction team has resigned following the confirmation of Botota Fox as a contestant, citing both a perceived slight from the production and concerns about Fox’s past behavior.
David Montoya, one half of the YouTube duo “The Ellas Show” alongside Tomás Printemps, announced his departure via Instagram. The pair had previously been involved in creating pre-show content, reacting to episodes of Fiebre de Baile and other programs. Montoya’s resignation came on the night of the first season’s finale.
While Montoya initially indicated disappointment over a broken promise regarding on-screen participation – a planned ten-second dance appearance during the finale at the Movistar Arena – he stated that Botota Fox’s inclusion was “the final straw.” He expressed feeling undervalued by the production team, noting they were not even acknowledged on the night of the finale despite prior commitments.
The core of Montoya’s objection, however, stems from past interactions with Botota Fox. He expressed a fear of potential conflict, alleging that Fox has a history of “getting into scuffles with her coworkers” and that he did not want to expose himself to that environment. He described Fox as someone who “grabs onto whatever she can to be on TV.”
Botota Fox, whose real name is José Miguel Navarrete, responded to the allegations in an interview with Fotech. She stated she had already apologized to The Ellas Show in a previous podcast appearance, and dismissed Montoya’s concerns with a dismissive remark: “If they can’t get over it now, let them cry.”
Fox further characterized Montoya and Printemps as “idiots” who are easily influenced, and downplayed their significance, stating, “They’re just giving juice from the cheapest fruit.” She also highlighted her own extensive experience in reality television, having appeared in seven different shows.
This public dispute highlights the often-contentious dynamics within the Chilean entertainment industry, and the potential for personal conflicts to spill over into popular television programs. Fiebre de Baile 2 is set to premiere in , with Botota Fox now confirmed as one of the contestants. Fran García-Huidobro will also join the show as a new judge.
