It has been three weeks since Giselle Blondet announced Myrka Dellanos’ departure from the show La mesa caliente, one of Telemundo’s most watched programs. The news came as a surprise to the public, who had been following the participation of the renowned Cuban-born journalist since the show’s premiere in 2022.
During the broadcast, Blondet dedicated a few words of farewell to her colleague, highlighting her career and the value of her contributions to the project: “Our colleague Myrka Dellanos will no longer be part of this program. We thank her for her valuable contributions to our show since its launch. Her participation will always be part of our history. We wish her much success in her future endeavors.”
Dellanos’ departure left one of the main chairs on the panel vacant, which generated speculation as to who might take her place on a permanent basis.
Since then, the program’s production has opted to invite different female hosts to accompany the regulars Giselle Blondet, Verónica Bastos and Andrea Meza. Among the guests, Cristina Porta, Spanish journalist and presenter known for her time on Telemundo’s reality shows, has stood out.
Porta, who was recently crowned winner of Top Chef VIP 4 and participated in La casa de los famosos 4, has been a recurring presence on the panel, which fueled rumors about her possible definitive incorporation to the program.
Cristina Porta clears up rumors; is she replacing Myrka Dellanos?
In a recent interview with Rodner Figueroa for his Cara a cara con Rodner podcast, the host was asked directly about the possibility of becoming Myrka Dellanos’ official replacement.
“They just announced that Myrka Dellanos is no longer part of the network and leaves that chair vacant, and we’ve seen you using the chair, warming the chair. Are you going to be replacing Myrka Dellanos on La mesa caliente?” asked the Venezuelan host.
With sincerity, Porta replied that he does not consider himself a replacement, nor is there any official confirmation yet about his permanence.
“Replacement as such I don’t like the sound of it because I have also had the pleasure of knowing Myrka and she is irreplaceable. I don’t know how long I’m going to be here. I’ve been here many times for weeks, but I can’t tell you that I’m going to be the replacement because I don’t know and I don’t think it’s going to be that way either.”
At Figueroa’s insistence, who rephrased the question about whether she would like to take on the role permanently, Cristina was clearer: “I don’t like to talk about replacing Myrka because I feel she has done a very good job in the program, and I was also caught by surprise when she was no longer there. But if you ask me if I would like to work on La mesa caliente, I would love to.”
Cristina Porta expressed that she feels very comfortable with the format and the team that makes up the program.
“I am very happy with all the girls who are there, with the team. I also feel that I’m good at it, that it’s a program that suits everything that I am. Yes, I would like it very much.”
Her statements generated great interest among the program’s followers, many of whom have expressed on social networks that they would like to see her permanently on the panel.
For now, Telemundo has not confirmed who will definitively take Myrka Dellanos’ place. Meanwhile, La mesa caliente continues to air Monday through Friday at 3 p.m. ET, with Giselle Blondet, Verónica Bastos and Andrea Meza as regular hosts.
The program, which combines current affairs, interviews and debates on entertainment and society, remains one of the channel’s most solid productions, and its dynamic openness to new voices has allowed figures such as Cristina Porta to connect with the audience.
Although the future of the vacant chair remains uncertain, the conversation about who will be the definitive new member of La mesa caliente keeps the public’s expectations alive.
Find out more at ‘QueOnnda.com’.
