After months marked by pain and controversy, Maju Mantilla she would return to the screen that saw her grow professionally. The journalist Christian Byro revealed that the former beauty queen had decided to resume her television career on América TV, a station where she hosted memorable spots and forged an image close to the public.
The news comes shortly after his emotional departure from Latina, a channel with which, according to the journalist, he would not have been on good terms. In the middle of a complex personal process, the host seems willing to reconstruct his story in front of the camerasalthough this time with greater distance from the rumors that affected his reputation.
The announcement that ignited expectation came from Christian Byro. During the broadcast of his program, the communicator assured with certainty that Maju Mantilla had already decided on his return to América Televisión. “At 99.9%, let me assure you that it returns to América Televisión”he expressed live, raising surprise among his colleagues.
Byro explained that the presenter’s decision would be motivated by an emotional and professional breakup with Latina. “She is very resentful of the channel that closed its doors to herthat is why he returns to América TV under the production of América,” he added. The journalist’s statement was received with astonishment, especially when mentioning that the return would take place in 2026.
But his revelation was not limited to the announcement. Byro also announced who would accompany Mantilla in his new television stage. “And do you know who would be with her? A handsome man and, furthermore, my friend: Israel Dreyfus. It’s on the radar“, he commented. The news generated immediate reactions on the set, where several panelists celebrated the possible duo.
This rumor marks a significant turn in the career of the former Miss World 2006, who years ago led entertainment programs on the same channel. His return would symbolize a reconciliation with his professional pastafter a period of media exposure that led her to rethink her priorities.
On September 18, 2025, Mantilla announced his departure from the program live. “Up my people”. In front of cameras and visibly affected, the host explained that she had decided to step aside after days of rumors that damaged her reputation. “They have been very hard days for me and my family. Based on gossip, they have stated things about me that are false. “I am a human being who makes mistakes, but there have been continuous and malicious statements,” he said with a broken voice.
Throughout her message, the presenter lamented the impact the comments had on her work environment. “This burden has reached my colleagues, the beautiful team of ‘Arriba mi gente’, which does not deserve it. That’s why I decided not to continue in the program.“, he declared before hugging Fernando Díaz and Santi Lesmes, with whom he shared the screen for almost three years.
Mantilla acknowledged that the accusations had affected his morale and performance. “This program needs energy, joy and concentration. I have given my best effort, but I am affected“, she said while the audience applauded her. Her farewell marked the end of a television stage and the beginning of a complex personal process, aggravated by the recent loss of her mother, Mrs. Elvia García Linares, after a long illness.
The emotional impact was evident. In his message, Maju also criticized the way in which some media amplified unsupported versions. “A lie repeated does not become the truth.”he stated. The scene, broadcast live, became one of the most talked about moments on national television that day.
Her retirement occurred in the midst of a media scandal that involved her still husband, Gustavo Salcedo, and producer Christian Rodríguez Portugal. The controversy broke out when Salcedo declared that he had surprised the driver and the producer inside a vehicle, suggesting infidelity.
Despite the commotion, Mantilla avoided responding with attacks and opted for a reflective tone. In his last appearance in Latina, he insisted that he was not seeking to fuel the controversy. “I don’t come to the program to burden people with my problems, because it doesn’t seem fair to me.”he commented. His measured attitude was recognized by several colleagues in the media.
However, versions such as that of Gigi Miter pointed out that both she and Rodríguez Portugal they would have been invited to leave the space. The tension escalated when Gustavo Salcedo and the producer engaged in a physical confrontation that ended in a complaint. The episode confirmed the emotional exhaustion that the host was already experiencing.
