Social media influencer Wendy Guevara achieved a groundbreaking victory on Sunday, etching her name as the first transgender woman to claim victory in a Mexican reality TV series. The triumphant moment unfolded on “La casa de los famosos México,” the Mexican rendition of “Celebrity Big Brother,” a TelevisaUnivision production.
Amidst an atmosphere of disbelief and elation, 29-year-old Guevara, exclaiming, “I can’t believe it, my God!”, was officially crowned the champion of the show’s inaugural season in Mexico. Winning hearts with her captivating charisma, Guevara secured her place as the victor, amassing an impressive 18.2 million fan votes. This remarkable accomplishment saw her surpass Peruvian TV host Nicola Porcella, Mexican influencer Alfonso “Poncho” de Nigris, and Mexican actor-politician Sergio “El Tata” Mayer.
The competition, spanning 10 weeks, witnessed Guevara and 13 other celebrities cohabitating in a communal house, where they were pitted against each other in various challenges. The viewing audience, actively engaged, participated in weekly eliminations by voting for their favorites.
Hailing from León, Guanajuato, Guevara holds a significant stature within the LGBTQ community, boasting an impressive following of nearly 6 million on Instagram. As news of her historic win reverberated, social media reverberated with an outpouring of support. Rolling Stone pop and Latin music writer Tomás Mier encapsulated the nationwide sentiment by stating, “ALL of Mexico is celebrating,” along with images of fans congregating at the iconic El Ángel monument in Mexico City.
In a country striving to overcome prejudice and discrimination, Guevara’s victory resonates profoundly. A social media user concisely expressed, “In a country damaged by prejudice and discrimination, today a trans woman won the most popular reality show with the vote and love from the public.” Esteemed Mexican singer Ana Bárbara joined the chorus of acclaim, addressing Guevara as “QUEEN” in a comment on one of her Instagram posts.
The final week of the competition witnessed a staggering 40 million votes cast in favor of Guevara and Porcella. Notably, Mexican Chamber of Deputies President Santiago Creel publicly endorsed Guevara with his vote, as reported by the Spanish newspaper El País. This triumphant moment stands as a testament to the evolving landscape of acceptance and inclusivity.