It was a goodbye unlike any other on ‘Top Chef VIP 4.’ Every week, contestants hug and cry when someone leaves. But Thursday brought a big change. When Norkys Batista packed her bags, her exit was one of the coldest this season.
Cada eliminación de ‘Top Chef VIP 4’ ha sido muy emotiva, entre lágrimas, abrazos y expresiones de agradecimiento. Sin embargo, todo cambió este jueves con la salida de Norkys Batista, ya que la actriz venezolana recibió una de las despedidas más frías de la temporada.
Norkys Batista, a well-known Venezuelan actress, was on the chopping block. She stood beside Mexican influencer Nicole Curiel and Dominican model Celinee Santos. The judges had a tough choice. Ironically, they decided who stayed based on who made fewer mistakes.
When Norkys’s name was called, she took it in stride. In fact, she looked relieved. "I’m leaving behind many things I didn’t like," she said. It sounded like a weight lifted from her shoulders. She made it clear her good wishes went only to Matías, Angélica, and Zerboni. This left out a good chunk of the kitchen crew.
Finalmente, el nombre de Norkys fue anunciado y la famosa lo asumió con valentía, incluso con alivio, ya que afirmó que se acababa de quitar un peso de encima. “Me voy despojándome de muchas cosas que no me estaban gustando, que no me agradaban”, expresó.
Other contestants didn’t hide their feelings either. Actor Francisco "Paco" Pizaña didn’t hold back. "What a great exit," he began. Then he added, "Of all who have left so far, you are the worst harpy to ever step foot on ‘Top Chef VIP’… Goodbye." It was quite a statement.
No one shed a tear for Norkys’s departure. She claimed she wanted a happy goodbye, without crying. But Pizaña kept his fiery comments coming. "No one cried because you didn’t leave a mark on anyone. Now, go home, please." His words were certainly harsh.
Life in the ‘Top Chef VIP’ House Was Tough
Norkys, who is 47 and was the first runner-up in Miss Venezuela 1999, explained her struggles. She said cooking wasn’t the hardest part of ‘Top Chef VIP 4’. Dealing with the other famous people was much tougher.
"Being with them, listening to them badmouth people they called family," she shared. "They did it while cooking, right in front of them. It just short-circuited my brain." The constant drama weighed heavily on her.
Despite the challenges, Norkys found some positives. She called the show a "school." She learned a lot about the strict rules and discipline needed in a kitchen. "I’m leaving happy because I finally let out what I wanted to say," she concluded. "Everyone knows what I think of them."
Norkys Batista is the tenth person to leave ‘Top Chef VIP.’ That means 10 contestants are still battling it out. They all hope to become the next culinary king or queen and win $200,000.
Who Else Has Left the Kitchen?
Here’s a look at the contestants who have been eliminated from ‘Top Chef VIP’ so far, in the order they left:
- Sergio Goyri
- Christopher Vélez
- Karina
- Elvis Crespo (he left the show)
- Sergio Sendel
- Valeria Cuevas
- Jerry Bazúa
- Hector Sandarti
- Yani Prado (she also left the show)
- Norkys Batista
You can catch ‘Top Chef VIP’ Sunday through Friday. It airs at 7:00 pm ET / 6:00 pm CT on Telemundo. You can also watch it live online through Telemundo and Peacock streaming services.