The absence of Carlos “Caramelo” Cruz from the judging panel of the sixth season of La Casa de los Famosos
has been a point of public speculation. Now, actress Maripily Rivera has shed light on the situation, suggesting a potential conflict stemming from Cruz’s recent participation in another reality show.
Rivera, winner of the fourth season of La Casa de los Famosos
, explained that Cruz may have inadvertently run afoul of his contract with Telemundo by appearing on La Casa de Alofoke 2
, a YouTube reality format created by Santiago Matías. According to Rivera, the agreement likely contained a clause prohibiting participation in competing reality programs for a specified period.
“There are rules, they have their rules that for a certain time you cannot enter another reality show, so you have to finish the race with a flourish and finish your contract as it should be according to the rules that are imposed on you whether you win or not,” Rivera stated, as reported by El Nuevo Día. “So when one wins, I think there is a period of time that you cannot do a reality show, so he won, unknowingly, because Here’s new for Caramelo, he went to another reality show, and I think he violated that clause and was lucky they didn’t sue him because when you win a reality show with these types of networks you have to wait a certain time to enter another.”
The situation highlights the complex contractual landscape surrounding reality television participants, particularly those who achieve significant visibility and success. Winning a high-profile show like La Casa de los Famosos
often comes with stipulations designed to protect the network’s investment and maintain exclusivity. These clauses can restrict future opportunities for contestants, even if those opportunities seem mutually beneficial.
Rivera herself acknowledged facing similar considerations after her victory in La Casa de los Famosos
in 2024. She revealed that she declined offers to participate in other reality shows due to her existing obligations to Telemundo. “I said no, why? Because there are things that can be done and other things that cannot be done, so they want to do everything and when they do everything they cut off the path and what is happening happens and it’s a shame because I love Caramelo very much, I supported him at some point, I still support him, I give him very good advice, even if it comes in here and goes out there,” she said.
The narrative surrounding Cruz’s absence was initially complicated by speculation that his former girlfriend, Manelyk González, had been brought in to replace him on the show. However, Rivera firmly dismissed this claim. “They wanted to do everything and when they do everything they cut off the path and what is happening happens,” she reiterated, emphasizing the importance of adhering to contractual obligations.
Cruz’s win in the fifth season of La Casa de los Famosos
, as noted by the Big Brother Wiki, established him as a prominent figure in the Spanish-language reality television landscape. His subsequent appearance on La Casa de Alofoke 2
– a format that shares similarities with La Casa de los Famosos
but operates outside the traditional network structure – appears to have triggered the contractual issue.
The case serves as a cautionary tale for reality TV contestants navigating the often-intricate world of entertainment contracts. While the allure of immediate opportunities can be strong, understanding and respecting contractual limitations is crucial to avoiding potential legal complications and preserving future career prospects. The situation also underscores the growing influence of platforms like YouTube in the reality television space, and the potential for conflict between traditional networks and independent content creators.
The sixth season of La Casa de los Famosos
has already generated considerable buzz, with a cast of “controversial inhabitants”, according to La Saga. The premiere, which took place on , as reported by AS USA, featured the entrance of several notable personalities, including Lupita Jones, as highlighted by Hola USA. Despite the absence of Cruz, the show is poised to deliver the drama and intrigue that have become hallmarks of the franchise.
