The return of Ylenia Padilla to the small screen has become, without a doubt, one of the main attractions of the season for the Telecinco format. The program achieved its best annual figure with its interview, reaching a 12.7% screen share and an average of 855,000 viewers, which represents 23.6% above the channel's average.
During her conversation with Santi Acosta, the collaborator confessed to having reached her limit due to “the pressure of fulfilling what others expect of you.” Public exposure and “the show” —as she herself defines television— ended up overwhelming her: “I was not happy, my directors noticed it. It was always the same toxic and destructive dynamic. I felt I couldn't grow anymore, so the fairest thing was to step aside.”
However, one of the most delicate moments of the interview was related to the controversy generated by her transphobic comments, which resulted in a complaint filed by the comedian Elsa Ruiz for an alleged crime against dignity on the grounds of gender identity. Faced with these accusations, Padilla tried to justify herself, presenting herself as a victim of what she described as “ideological marketing”: “My intention at no time was to incite hatred or violence against anyone. By expressing an opinion on laws that I consider deficient and that violate women's rights, I started to be lynched.” Regarding her own statements, she added: “I am not proud, but it is a human reaction.”
An especially complex night
The management of this controversy would have generated concern in the talk show host, who, according to close sources, would have reconsidered on several occasions throughout the week if she is really prepared to resume her television activity. “She doesn't know if she's ready”, they affirm. Padilla would face her return with “fear and unease,” as she is not sure if she will be able to perform with ease on a live program and with other collaborators present. In fact, she would even fear “losing control at some point on set.”
The collaborator herself would be aware that the interview scheduled for this Friday could be more demanding than the previous one, as it would involve the intervention of panelists who could question her words or explanations. “She wants to have everything under control and is very nervous because she knows that this time it won't be possible; it's very different from when she sat alone with Santi Acosta”, assures a source close to the collaborator.
In any case, everything indicates that it will not be an easy night for Padilla, although her presence will predictably translate into large audience figures for Telecinco, consolidating ‘De viernes’ as one of the most successful formats on the channel.