The unexpected exit of Asskha Sumathra from the stage at the 2026 Viña del Mar Festival sparked criticism from the audience, igniting a strong reaction that continued throughout the night. The festival, a major cultural event in Chile, often serves as a launching pad for Latin American artists. Now, Bizarro’s executive producer, Daniel Merino, has addressed the controversy via social media.
In a series of posts on X, Merino explained that the routine was scheduled for 50 minutes, and “is what her routine lasted on the Quinta Vergara stage.”
Merino also attributed the confusion to the structure of Sumathra’s performance, stating that it didn’t follow a traditional script. He explained, “we didn’t have a clear idea of the exact moment to enter to give her the Gold and Silver Gaviotas [awards] that the audience was requesting.”
Merino acknowledged the situation felt “strange,” particularly as the artist wasn’t able to say goodbye on stage. He stated that the organization immediately sent a camera to Sumathra’s dressing room so she could address both the live audience and television viewers.
Regarding concerns about lengthy commercial breaks following the performance, Merino maintained that presentation times are agreed upon with each comedian beforehand, and advertising is essential to the event’s funding.
Despite the controversy, the producer described the evening as a “great night,” noting that it marked the first time a drag comedian and transformist artist had performed at the festival, winning both of the competition’s top awards.
