Peruvian television personality Israel Dreyfus has defended reality show participant Said Palao against online critics who accused him of being financially dependent on his wife, entrepreneur Alejandra Baigorria.
Speaking on the podcast Sin +Q Decir, Dreyfus rejected social media attacks directed at his friend and revealed that Palao receives a substantial salary for his work on the television competition program Esto es guerra, comparing his compensation to that of a corporate chief executive officer.
The controversy erupted after Palao published a message on social media celebrating Baigorria's birthday during a trip to Tokyo, Japan. Online users criticized the couple's vacation in Asia and questioned Palao's financial contribution toward a luxury Lady Dior handbag presented to Baigorria.
Social media users left negative comments calling Palao a mantenido, a term describing a financially dependent partner, and brought up past media scandals, including a previous incident in Argentina. Dreyfus addressed the avalanche of criticism on the podcast, acknowledging that such intense public reaction inevitably affects Palao and admitting that his friend had made a mistake in the past.
Dreyfus, a long-time figure in Peruvian entertainment, gained national prominence as a participant on competitive reality shows before transitioning into podcast hosting. He co-hosts Sin +Q Decir alongside digital creator and television personality María Pía Copello, who founded the broadcast platform.
Defense of reality television salaries
Dreyfus strongly pushed back against commentators who attempt to minimize Palao's profession as a reality television performer. He condemned the use of derogatory labels such as guerrerito, a term derived from Esto es guerra used to dismiss reality show contestants, that imply performers earn insignificant income.
Dreyfus asserted that critics speak as though contestants earn as little as 1.50 Peruvian soles. Without disclosing exact monetary figures, he stated that a personality with Palao's long television trajectory easily earns almost as much as a chief executive officer, adding that Palao has no reason to envy anyone who attempts to belittle him.
Esto es guerra is a flagship competitive reality program broadcast by América Televisión, one of Peru's primary television networks. Since its debut in 2012, the show has featured teams of celebrities and athletes competing in daily physical challenges, forming a major component of prime-time entertainment television in the country.
Podcast reaction and handbag controversy
Dreyfus's claims regarding reality show compensation surprised Copello, who expressed explicit skepticism during the episode. Copello questioned whether television networks in Peru pay salaries of that magnitude to show participants.
Faced with Copello's doubts, Dreyfus clarified his initial statement. He explained that comparing Palao's earnings to a chief executive officer was a figure of speech meant to convey that Palao's salary falls roughly in that elevated range.
During the podcast, co-host Luciana Roy joked that Palao must have spent an entire CEO-equivalent monthly salary on the Lady Dior handbag he gave to Baigorria. Entertainment presenter Magaly Medina had previously reported on her television show that the designer handbag costs approximately 6,300 US dollars.
Magaly Medina is a prominent Peruvian investigative entertainment journalist and host of Magaly TV, La Firme. Known for uncovering celebrity scandals and analyzing public figures' lifestyles, Medina frequently evaluates the retail values of luxury goods and high-profile trips featured by media personalities.
Roy's humorous comment drew laughter from Copello, while Dreyfus appeared to miss the remark or chose to ignore it, maintaining his focus on defending Palao's financial autonomy.
Financial independence and business ventures
Dreyfus insisted that Palao earns a respectable income from his television career and digital work, which provides him with sufficient financial capacity to invest in personal business ventures. He stated that Palao's earnings comfortably allow him to fund commercial initiatives, such as establishing a construction company.
In addition to his media work, Palao serves as the general manager of Agarra tu Gringa, a fashion enterprise founded by Baigorria. Dreyfus highlighted Palao's management role to demonstrate that his friend is actively involved in business administration.
Alejandra Baigorria is a well-known Peruvian entrepreneur, model, and television personality. She launched her apparel brand, Agarra tu Gringa, in the Gamarra commercial district of Lima before becoming a prominent television contestant, subsequently building an extensive business portfolio in retail and fashion.
Dreyfus concluded his podcast remarks by emphasizing that Palao's income from his media and commercial endeavors is substantial, reiterating that the reality TV star possesses the financial foundation to support his lifestyle independently.
