Kürsat "Chico" Yildirim, 44, found himself at the center of controversy following his removal from the reality show Promis unter Palmen. The incident occurred during the sixth episode of the current season, which started on February 17, 2025. During the episode, Chico engaged in a heated exchange with fellow contestant Lisha Savage, 38, leading to serious consequences for his behavior.
The drama unfolded during the captain's game titled "Das große Krabbeln," where contestants dressed as crabs and competed to determine team leaders. The situation escalated when Chico, after expressing his desire to eliminate Lisha from the game by stating, "Ich möchte dich rauskicken" (I want to kick you out), faced swift backlash. Lisha retorted, accusing him of being cowardly for fighting women and insulted him about his manhood, saying, "Weil du so einen kleinen Pimmel" (Because you have such a small penis), gesturing to suggest its size.
What followed was troubling; Chico’s response included partially censored remarks hinting at violent consequences, causing discomfort among fellow contestants. Claudia Obert, 63, described his behavior as "unterschichtig, dass es einem die Schuhe auszieht" (appalling enough to knock your socks off), indicating the shock others felt during the incident.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the production team intervened, stating emphatically, "Androhung sexueller Gewalt hat bei uns keinen Platz" (Threats of sexual violence have no place here). On the spot, Chico was removed from the show without any opportunity to say farewell to fellow contestants.
Chico's behavior was not entirely unexpected, as he had previously received warnings for inappropriate actions, including touching Kim Virginia's face earlier in the season. Following this incident, Lisha also received a warning but was allowed to remain on the show. She later expressed her relief, stating she expected this type of confrontation from Chico and criticized the show’s editing process, alleging many incidents involving his bad conduct had been cut out. Lisha hinted at sharing more details about Chico's past behaviors during the airing of the scandalous episode on March 24, 2025.
The episode itself showcased not only the fallout from the altercation but also continued challenges for the remaining contestants. While Melody and Cosimo emerged victorious and became team captains, Menowin endured misfortune when he injured his foot, prompting concerns for his wellbeing. Fortunately, after visiting the hospital, he returned later, albeit limping slightly.
Another twist saw contestant Nikola returning to the show, adding tension to team dynamics. The ensuing team nominations saw Melody choose Christo, with Cosimo opting for Nikola, underscoring the shifting alliances at play. The competition heated up as teams faced off, culminating in Team Gelb's victory during the game "Promi Slash." The winning team’s success meant Melody had to nominate two contestants for elimination, eventually choosing Iris and Christo.
Voting for elimination ensued, with Menowin, Lisha, and Nikola favoring Iris, leading to her ousting from the show. Reflecting on her experience as she left, Iris proclaimed, "Ich bin stolz auf mich. Ich konnte in den Spielen mit allen mithalten" (I am proud of myself. I could keep up with everyone in the games). This statement encapsulated the competitive spirit of the show, even amid significant tensions.
Overall, the season of Promis unter Palmen presents not just reality television entertainment but also raises questions about acceptable conduct and the responsibility of producers to maintain standards to protect contestants. The incident with Chico is set to spark discussions about these issues as viewers tune in on March 24, 2025, curious to see how the show will address the fallout.
