On April 16, 2025, Brazilian television host Danilo Gentili publicly addressed accusations made by Juliana Oliveira, a former stage assistant on his show, The Noite, in a lengthy video response. The video, which spans approximately 45 minutes, has been divided into three segments, allowing Gentili to present his perspective on the unfolding controversy surrounding Oliveira's allegations against fellow presenter Otávio Mesquita.
In the video, Gentili disclosed private conversations and asserted that Oliveira's account contained significant "incoherencies." He emphasized that her timeline of events was flawed, stating, "She ignores some facts of the timeline that make all the difference in the narrative she's telling." This statement came after Oliveira accused both Gentili and his team of failing to provide necessary support during her time on the show.
Gentili's response was partly prompted by Oliveira's comments, which suggested that he had not defended her adequately after a troubling incident involving Mesquita. "It's not a defense of Juliana. It's not a defense of Otávio Mesquita. It's a defense of my name, the name of the program's director, and the production team," Gentili clarified in the video.
Oliveira had previously made serious allegations against Mesquita, accusing him of rape related to an incident that occurred during a 2016 recording of the SBT show. In her recent statements, she expressed her fear of losing her job if she spoke out, saying, "Caramba Danilo, aconteceu debaixo do seu nariz. Por que você não me defendeu assim? Sua comoção é seletiva?" ("Wow, Danilo, it happened right under your nose. Why didn’t you defend me like that? Your sympathy is selective?").
Gentili responded to these accusations by explaining the context of Oliveira's departure from the show. He noted that she had grown dissatisfied after ten years and felt she could do more. "She started to see that she could do more things. After ten years on the show, you really get saturated," he remarked. He also stated that he was unaware of any other reasons for her exit.
In his video, Gentili refuted Oliveira's claim that she did not report Mesquita's actions out of fear for her job, labeling it as false. He maintained that both he and the program's director were aware of the seriousness of the situation. "I never did anything for Juliana because she is black?" he sarcastically remarked, emphasizing that he treats all team members equally.
Gentili also revealed details of conversations he had with Oliveira following the incident. He explained that both he and the director had offered their support, suggesting they could report the matter to the SBT's Human Resources department and pursue legal action. However, Oliveira declined these offers, stating she just wanted to avoid being on stage when Mesquita was interviewed.
Reflecting on the incident, Gentili expressed his disappointment with Oliveira's public statements. He felt that her portrayal of events, particularly her claims about a lack of support, was misleading. He stated, "Everything I have to say about the case Juliana vs. Otávio Mesquita is in this video. I tried to keep the video as short as possible, but I couldn't, as it contains complete audios. The video has three parts: 1) I tell my version of how I saw the whole story from being there beside the scene. 2) I outline the chronological timeline of the facts. This is important for understanding everything. 3) I show why Juliana is unjust when she says that no one stood by her. Watch and draw your own conclusions," he urged his audience.
Gentili's video comes at a time when the public is increasingly sensitive to issues of sexual harassment and assault, particularly in the entertainment industry. The allegations against Mesquita have reignited discussions about workplace safety and the responsibilities of colleagues in supporting victims.
In addressing the broader implications of the incident, Gentili reflected on the nature of the entertainment industry and the complexities of interpersonal relationships within it. He noted that he had not been present during the rehearsal for the segment with Mesquita, which he said was a decision based on his personal feelings towards the presenter. "I wasn't in the rehearsal; I wasn't in anything. They told me, 'Look, he's going to come down on the rope, Juliana is going to help him, we're going to rehearse.' I said, 'Okay.' Then it came time to interview, I didn't know what was going to happen," Gentili explained.
He further elaborated on his perception of the relationship between Oliveira and Mesquita, recalling previous instances where Oliveira had engaged in playful interactions with Mesquita during segments. "A few months before, Juliana was doing a story with Otávio Mesquita at the Women's Club, rubbing against him, simulating spicy scenes, so I understood that they have such freedom for this," he said, suggesting that he did not perceive the incident as inappropriate at the time.
Gentili's narrative has drawn mixed reactions from the public and media commentators, with some supporting his defense of his actions and others criticizing him for downplaying the seriousness of Oliveira's allegations. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by those who speak out against harassment and the complexities of navigating allegations within professional environments.
In a statement regarding the case, SBT clarified that it had taken appropriate measures through its Corporate Governance Department in response to the allegations involving Oliveira and Mesquita. As the story continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the public will respond to the revelations shared by Gentili and the implications for all parties involved.
