In a shocking turn of events, allegations of sexual misconduct have emerged involving Brazilian television presenter Otávio Mesquita and former stage assistant Juliana Oliveira. The accusations surfaced after Oliveira released a video detailing her claims, which date back nearly a decade to a recording of the show "The Noite." In the video, she states that she did not report the incident earlier due to her ongoing psychological recovery.
On April 16, 2025, Mesquita responded to the allegations in an interview with QUEM, asserting that the incident was merely a "brincadeira"—a joke. He expressed disbelief over the timing of the accusations, which he claimed were made almost ten years after the supposed event. Mesquita emphasized that the interaction was pre-arranged with the show's production team, and he was in the dressing room with his ex-wife and son during the recording.
"Basically what happened, almost ten years ago, was a 'brincadeira'. There was nothing. Everyone laughed. We met backstage and there was never any problem," Mesquita stated, defending his actions. He expressed his feelings of sadness for Oliveira, who left SBT at the end of 2024, and questioned the motives behind her accusations. "At first, I was very upset. How can a simple person like me be accused of something after ten years? When the accusation happened, I was very concerned. I don’t know if someone manipulated her head," he added.
Oliveira's video claims that Mesquita touched her without consent during the program's recording in 2016. She also indicated that she had previously reported the incident to the show's production but refrained from pursuing formal action out of fear of losing her job. This fear, she explained, stemmed from her belief that she was dealing with powerful figures in the industry.
In a twist, Mesquita announced his intention to file a lawsuit against Oliveira for moral damages, seeking R$ 50,000. "Even being the person who was harmed, I had to file a lawsuit against her to defend myself. Today, I have nearly a million followers on Instagram, and everyone is supporting me. I feel sad because Juliana will face a problem she shouldn’t have to face. What rape? I would never do that. I’m 65 years old and have been in television for 40 years without any accusations against me. I have always respected people and maintained good humor," he stated.
Mesquita further remarked that Oliveira did not express discomfort during the incident at the time. "If she hadn’t liked it, she would have asked not to air the footage. How could I make a joke like that if my ex-wife and son were there? I feel pity for her, despite what she did, because she will be harmed. She did it because she was manipulated by someone," he asserted. He also suggested that Oliveira might be seeking financial gain from her accusations, saying, "I think she wants money, wants to win a lawsuit. In the beginning, it was difficult, but now everyone is supporting me. I’ve never had any problems with physical or moral aggression. People have always praised me. Silvio Santos always told me: 'Don’t lose that way of being, a beloved person who jokes with everyone.' I’m a good guy. We met backstage and laughed. If she called me and apologized, I would even forgive her," he concluded.
In the wake of these allegations, the SBT network, led by president Daniela Beyruti, issued a statement confirming that it had taken appropriate measures through its Corporate Governance Department regarding the situation. The network's response came after Oliveira expressed her disappointment on social media, stating that her initial report to the company's compliance department had not prompted any action.
"Osasco, April 16, 2025 – Regarding the episode involving Ms. Juliana Oliveira and presenter Otávio Mesquita, SBT clarifies that it took all appropriate measures in a timely manner through its Corporate Governance Department," the statement read.
As the controversy escalates, the São Paulo Public Prosecutor's Office has requested that the Civil Police investigate Oliveira's accusations against Mesquita. The legal proceedings are still in their early stages, and Mesquita's lawyer, Roberto Campanella, has stated that they will respond to all allegations once formally notified by the judiciary.
In a separate statement, Campanella emphasized the integrity of his client, asserting that Mesquita is a person of good conduct. He also mentioned that if they win the lawsuit, the compensation would be donated to an NGO supporting women victims of violence. He characterized the incident as a mere "humorous scene," consistent with the comedic nature of the show. "The dynamics of the program were recognized for adopting caricatured humor sketches, often with sensual or provocative approaches, which were accepted and practiced by all involved," he noted.
Danilo Gentili, the host of "The Noite," also weighed in on the allegations, stating that Oliveira's narrative contains inconsistencies. "She ignores some facts in the timeline that make all the difference in the narrative she is telling. They can sort it out; I have nothing to do with it," he remarked.
As this situation unfolds, it raises significant questions about workplace conduct, consent, and the complexities of addressing allegations of sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry. The contrasting narratives from both parties highlight the challenges victims face in coming forward and the potential repercussions they may encounter.
In the coming weeks, it remains to be seen how the investigation will proceed and what impact this case will have on the public perception of both Mesquita and Oliveira, as well as on the broader conversation surrounding accountability in the entertainment sector.
