In a stunning turn of events on the reality show "Promis unter Palmen", Kürsat "Chico" Yildirim, a lottery millionaire and frequent subject of controversy, was abruptly removed from the show due to allegations of threatening a fellow contestant, Lisha Savage, with sexual violence. The incident, which unfolded during a game segment on March 18, 2025, saw tensions between the two contestants escalate dramatically, leading to Chico's immediate ejection.
During the sixth episode, available for streaming on Joyn prior to its television airing on March 24, 2025, Chico and Lisha engaged in a heated exchange while competing in a team captains game. The conflict reached a boiling point when Lisha challenged Chico with insults about his masculinity, saying, “Du kämpfst lieber gegen Frauen, weil du so einen kleinen Mini-Pimmel hast, du hast 'ne Muschi.” In response, Chico reportedly retorted in a manner that included a sexual implication, prompting a swift intervention from the show's production team, who deemed his comments unacceptably aggressive.
The production of "Promis unter Palmen" has a strict policy against any form of violence, including verbal threats. An off-screen representative stated emphatically, “Die Androhung sexueller Gewalt hat bei uns keinen Platz.” The message was clear: they would not tolerate such behavior, and Chico was instructed to leave the villa immediately. He was even prevented from saying goodbye to his fellow contestants, heightening the drama of the situation.
In the aftermath of the altercation, Lisha expressed relief that the production took decisive action, acknowledging her own history of heated exchanges but maintaining that there is no justification for Chico's threats. She stated, “Jedoch ist das noch lange kein Grund, in so einer Art, mit einer Frau zu sprechen, wie er es getan hat.” Her comments underscore a broader concern within the show regarding the treatment of women and the boundaries of acceptable conversation.
Chico, reflecting on the incident post-ejection, expressed remorse for his chosen words. He remarked, “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.” He acknowledged his struggle with language and behavior, stating, “An meinem Wortschatz muss ich arbeiten. Ich war lange im Knast und komme von ganz unten. Ich bin stolz auf meine Fortschritte, aber bin noch nicht perfekt.”
The situation is compounded by previous warnings issued to Chico by the production team related to his conduct. He had come under scrutiny for an earlier incident involving contestant Kim Virginia, which had also prompted discussions about acceptable boundaries in reality television. Following his latest outburst, which included implications of sexual violence, Chico's future on the show and his public image remain precarious.
The production company defended its actions as necessary, especially in light of ongoing concerns regarding the treatment and respect of women within the program. They reiterated their commitment to a zero-tolerance policy regarding threats and violence, whether actual or implied. As the scandal unfolds, viewers are left to grapple with the implications of such behavior in entertainment and the responsibilities of producers in preserving a safe and respectful environment.
As the broadcast of the show continues, audiences will undoubtedly be captivated by the fallout from Chico's departure. His actions have ignited a wider conversation on how reality shows handle misconduct and the growing demand from viewers for accountability in the behavior of contestants. For many, this incident exemplifies the need for continued vigilance against inappropriate conduct in reality television, where the line between drama and unacceptable behavior is often blurred.
