Dani Bolina, former panicat and model, recently opened up about her traumatic experiences of harassment during her time on the TV show 'Pânico'. In an interview with the podcast Ticaracaticast, she recounted distressing events that occurred primarily when the showgirls participated in public events, especially while wearing bikinis, revealing a troubling culture of abuse that persisted despite so-called protections.
According to Bolina, the unwanted touching was rampant during various outdoor recordings, specifically at soccer matches where the audience predominantly consisted of men. "A gente fazia eventos de biquíni e era uma loucura, porque era uma 'passação' de mãos que a gente não sabe de onde vinha, eles enfiavam a mão dentro da gente," she described, detailing her fear and discomfort during those shoots. Her words paint a vivid picture of the chaos and harassment that became synonymous with such events.
Despite the production team's attempts to shield the panicats from inappropriate behavior, the harassment continued unabated. "A produção ficava em volta da gente [para tentar nos proteger], mas [mesmo assim] tomava dedada. Eu colocava dois biquínis, absorventes, porque os caras enfiavam os dedos na gente," Bolina recounted, explaining how she and her colleagues resorted to wearing extra clothing and pads as a last line of defense against the invasive actions of the audience members.
This uncomfortable reality left many of the panicats feeling anxious and fearful about participating in events involving soccer fans. Bolina recalled, "Era bizarro, um show de loucura, desesperador, dava um negócio quando falavam que a gente ia fazer futebol," emphasizing the high level of distress these recordings incited in her and her colleagues. The panicats were often left to navigate a harrowing environment that treated them more as objects of entertainment than as individuals deserving respect.
Bolina was part of 'Pânico na TV' from 2005 to 2011, a period during which the show gained immense popularity across Brazil. However, the show's legacy is now tainted by this admission of abuse and the acknowledgment of systemic issues that women in entertainment often face. Following its run on RedeTV!, 'Pânico' switched to Band in 2012 and continued until its cancellation in 2017, although a radio version still airs today.
Her courage in sharing these experiences has sparked important discussions about the treatment of women in entertainment, particularly in environments that emphasize their physical appearance and exploit public dynamics. The revelations from Dani Bolina highlight an urgent need for ongoing dialogue about consent, respect, and the responsibility of production teams to create safer working conditions for all involved.
As more public figures begin to share their stories, the hope is that change can begin to take root within the industry, ultimately leading to a safer and more respectful environment for women everywhere.
