Peruvian television host Edson Dávila, known by his stage name 'Giselo', sparked controversy after saying that veteran host Gisela Valcárcel was never his godmother. He made the remark during an interview with 'Q' Bochinche' at the Teletón 2026 charity event, and it quickly drew criticism from other television figures and social media users who accused him of being ungrateful.
Dávila, who co-hosts the morning show 'América Hoy', made the comment amid ongoing speculation about tension between him and Valcárcel and her daughter, fellow host Ethel Pozo. Both women were absent from the Teletón, and Dávila had already been branded a "Judas" for no longer following them on Panamericana TV. He has also faced accusations, alongside colleague Janet Barboza, of influencing Valcárcel and Pozo's decision not to take part in the charity broadcast.
What Dávila said
Before making the comment that drew the most attention, Dávila said he wanted to keep things respectful toward Valcárcel and did not want either of them to be spoken about negatively. When a reporter asked him directly about his "godmother", he said she was the person who gave him his opportunity, adding that she was never his godmother but was the one who gave him his chance. With that answer, he sought to distance himself from that kind of close relationship with Valcárcel, who is widely known in Peru by the nickname 'Señito'.
Colleagues react
Mariella Zanetti, Dávila's co-host on 'Q' Bochinche', responded to the interview right away. Speaking in a joking tone, she made clear she felt Dávila had failed to acknowledge Valcárcel's role in his career. She said it was sad that Valcárcel, whom she called the diva of Peruvian television, would have been watching and heard her godson, the man she made, tell her that she was never his godmother. Zanetti said Dávila used to call Valcárcel his "madrina", or godmother, and referred to Pozo as his "little sister".
Journalist Kurt Villavicencio also questioned Dávila's attitude, saying that out of politeness and courtesy he should have simply agreed that Valcárcel was his godmother, since people should be grateful when they get their opportunity from someone who helped launch them to stardom. Villavicencio noted that it was through Valcárcel's production company that Dávila found a platform to showcase his talent on the dance competition show 'El Gran Show', where his impression of Valcárcel became a widely popular act.
Background: Valcárcel and 'El Gran Show'
Gisela Valcárcel is one of Peru's best-known television personalities, having hosted entertainment and reality programmes for decades, including the long-running dance contest 'El Gran Show'. Dávila built much of his public profile by impersonating her on that programme before going on to co-host 'América Hoy' alongside Pozo and other presenters.
Backlash online
The criticism spread quickly on social media. Commenters invoked the saying that those who raise crows should expect to have their eyes pecked out, while others said plainly that Dávila had bitten the hand that fed him and that he should show gratitude. Some users, however, read the remark differently, pointing out that Dávila had specifically said Valcárcel was never his godmother but was still the person who gave him his opportunity, and suggesting his words had been taken out of context.
The dispute comes as speculation continues over the state of the relationship between Dávila and the Valcárcel family following their absence from this year's Teletón.
