Television personality Israel Dreyfus has questioned Venezuelan model Korina Rivadeneira after she claimed race car driver Mario Hart forced her to split expenses equally.
Rivadeneira broke her silence on social media following the couple's separation, stating that household expenses were divided in equal parts and that she never stopped working, even after becoming a mother and throughout her pregnancy.
Her statements have sparked widespread debate across Peruvian entertainment media. Hart has not yet given his version of events as he is currently in Spain attending his sister's wedding.
Speaking on the podcast Sin +Q Decir, created by presenter María Pía Copello, Dreyfus urged the public to exercise caution before drawing conclusions. Dreyfus co-hosts the digital show alongside Hart.
Dreyfus said that jumping to judgment without listening to both sides was irresponsible of the public. He noted that people had only heard one version of the story so far and stressed that while he was not defending Hart, critics should wait until the driver speaks out.
Dreyfus also questioned how Rivadeneira presented the situation, saying she showed little responsibility by portraying Hart as a tyrant who demanded a strict 50/50 split and forced her to work while pregnant. He expressed his belief that her comments could create a distorted image of his colleague.
Furthermore, Dreyfus suggested that it was not the appropriate time for Rivadeneira to share such details while being away. He added that media pressure, online hate, and public backlash could have influenced her decisions.
Pandemic period in Colan
During the same broadcast, producer Abneer Robles recalled the period of the COVID-19 pandemic when Hart and Rivadeneira lived in Colán, a coastal beach town in the Piura region of northwestern Peru.
Robles said he remembered writing to Hart at the time to remark on how enjoyable his lockdown appeared to be, noting that he saw the couple playing volleyball on the beach every day during the six months they stayed there.
Dreyfus supported Robles' point, stating that nobody was working during that period, which he argued contradicted the narrative of constant financial and work pressure.
Rivadeneira, a Venezuelan model and dancer who built her career in Peru, also previously addressed rumors regarding her marriage, confirming that she exited the regular immigration process through a legal mechanism rather than marrying solely to remain in the country.
Reaction from media figures and co-hosts
Podcast co-hosts María Pía Copello and Ethel Pozo agreed that Hart needs to share his account, though both called for empathy toward Rivadeneira. Copello revealed that Hart had contacted her following his ex-partner's revelations, though she noted it was not her place to disclose what they discussed.
Hart has since re-emerged online to post a strong message amidst his ex-wife's confessions, though he has yet to address her claims directly from Spain.
The controversy has drawn reactions from other prominent Peruvian media figures. Television host Rebeca Escribens advised Rivadeneira to seek therapy and expressed hope that the public fallout would not turn into a circus. Meanwhile, host Magaly Medina questioned Rivadeneira's complaints, arguing that she had accustomed Hart to equal spending and noting that he had not forced her into the arrangement.
