“It’s my time to go.” Those blunt words came from the lips of Paco Pizaña to Cristina Porta. He spoke them just hours before the judges made his exit from ‘Top Chef VIP 4’ official. The Mexican actor and model suggested his departure was a preventive move. He warned that he would “set everything on fire” if he stayed on the cooking competition.
Paco made it clear where he stood after his elimination. “You might like me, you might not, but this is who I am,” Pizaña stated. “I hope everyone gets how complex we all are. Did I want to leave? Of course. I stick to my word, and I just love a good plot twist.” His dramatic exit cemented his spot as the most talked-about contestant of the fourth season.
His departure left Cristina Porta feeling completely crushed. The two had been close allies during the competition. However, the Spanish reporter didn’t even go to say goodbye. She believed Paco wasn’t eliminated; he chose to walk away. Cristina even called Pizaña a “coward” when Juan Soler tried to comfort her.
The 36-year-old artist, who hails from Rica de Hidalgo, was known for his constantly changing hairstyles. He dyed his hair blue, then pink, and sported a blonde look in his final days on the show.
Paco often spoke about his internal struggles. “I feel completely at odds with myself,” he told the judges while they reviewed his dish. “It’s been a total roller coaster of feelings. All I’ve done is listen to what’s inside me, and that’s how I feel today. I’m full of contradictions, wanting to explode, wanting to drown.”
Despite causing lots of arguments and clashing with some fellow contestants, Paco Pizaña received a warm farewell. Smiles and affection were shared. Matías Ochoa even hugged him, but not without a sharp piece of advice. “Don’t spit up in the air,” Matías warned, “because it might land on your forehead.”
Salvador Zerboni also had a notable rivalry with Paco. “I don’t like seeing you go,” the Mexican actor told him. But Pizaña shot back, “I decide for myself; nobody decides for me.” Zerboni, however, thought Paco was just making excuses. He believed Pizaña simply lost the elimination challenge.
Before Pizaña’s controversial exit, Celinee Santos from the Dominican Republic had been eliminated on September 1. Matías Ochoa also faced elimination on September 8. Yet, he managed to overturn the judges’ decision by using a special advantage he had.
Who’s Out So Far (In Order)
- Sergio Goyri
- Christopher Vélez
- Karina
- Elvis Crespo (left voluntarily)
- Sergio Sendel
- Valeria Cuevas
- Jerry Bazúa
- Hector Sandarti
- Yani Prado (left voluntarily)
- Norkys Batista
- Nicole Curiel
- Celinee Santos
- Paco Pizaña
The cooking show airs from Sunday to Friday at 7:00 pm ET / 6:00 pm CT on Telemundo. You can also catch it live through streaming on both Telemundo and Peacock.