In a shocking turn of events on the reality show "Promis unter Palmen," contestant Kürsat "Chico" Yildirim has been removed due to making a threat of sexual violence during an increasingly heated confrontation with fellow contestant Lisha Savage. This incident marks a significant moment in the show's third season, which returned to TV screens after a four-year hiatus.
The sixth episode, featuring the altercation, is set to air on March 24, 2025. During this episode, tensions boiled over between Lisha and Chico, leading to an unacceptable exchange of words. The production team, alarmed by the escalating situation, felt compelled to intervene. Chico was swiftly removed from the competition and instructed not to say goodbye to the other contestants or the audience, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
The conflict reportedly centered around a so-called captain's game, which had already been marred by prior exchanges between the two. Lisha had provoked Chico multiple times, resulting in sharp verbal exchanges. According to reports, Lisha labeled Chico inappropriately, saying, "You’d rather fight against women because you have such a small penis; you have a pussy." In response, Chico retaliated with equally harsh language, which involved a disturbing suggestion regarding involuntary sexual acts. This prompted the production to step in firmly.
Production representatives stated, "Die Androhung sexueller Gewalt hat bei uns keinen Platz," meaning, "The threat of sexual violence has no place with us." This statement emphasizes the show's commitment to maintaining a safe environment for all participants, regardless of the heated context often inherent in reality television.
Following the incident, reactions from both involved were significant. Lisha expressed her relief that the production took immediate action, stating, "Ich bin froh, dass die Produktion die Konsequenzen gezogen hat!" which translates to, "I am glad that the production took action!" She elaborated further, explaining, "Ich habe oft eine kurze Zündschnur, aber ich übertreibe nur aus gutem Grund und an dem Tag hat er bei mir das Fass zum Überlaufen gebracht," which translates to, "I often have a short fuse, but I only exaggerate for a good reason, and that day he caused me to overflow." Lisha's remarks reflect her position and the emotional impact of the incident on her, illustrating her view that prior provocations warranted her reactions.
Conversely, Chico appeared remorseful after the incident, reflecting on his behavior. He was quoted saying, "Ich hätte cooler bleiben müssen. Aber wenn man immer wieder provoziert wird, dann knallt’s irgendwann und es fallen unangebrachte Wörter, die ich dann danach selbst bereue." In English, this translates to, "I should have stayed cooler. But if you are provoked again and again, it eventually explodes and inappropriate words come out that I later regret." His admission highlights a struggle many face when under pressure and provocation in high-stakes environments like reality TV.
This incident isn't merely an isolated event; it reflects a broader issue present in reality television—how conflicts escalate and the necessity for production teams to address inappropriate behavior promptly. "Promis unter Palmen," which returned to airwaves on February 17, 2025, features numerous celebrity contestants, each bringing their own baggage and issues, leading to explosive confrontations.
Following Chico's removal, the ongoing season features a mix of drama and competition. Other contestants, like Iris Klein and Eike Immel, have also faced elimination throughout this season, which boasts a total of eight episodes, culminating in a finale on April 7, 2025. The show's dynamics continue to shift as winner selections and viewer favorites fluctuate based on performances each week.
For viewers tuning in each week, the stakes feel higher as the competition heightens. With episodes airing every Monday at 8:15 PM on Sat.1, fans are left intrigued about the future of contestants and whether the drama will further escalate or reach more regulated shores in the coming weeks.
As to what viewers should expect going forward, the show's finale is lined up for free TV on April 7, 2025, with online streaming available a week prior on March 31. The series aims to maintain engagement while ensuring the safety and integrity of its competitive environment.
