For Alejandra Espinoza, the greatest impact of hosting the new reality show Would you bet on me? from TelevisaUnivision, which premieres this January 18, is on full display. “How scary,” he confesses when remembering his first reaction upon knowing that the public will have 24/7 access to the couples’ privacy. “We don’t know what we’re going to see, and that’s precisely what makes this reality show different.”
Unlike other formats, here the game is not individual. In this multiplatform reality show, completely live 24 hours a day, seven days a week, twelve celebrities and their partners will isolate themselves from the world to live under the constant gaze of the public in a Villa, where each challenge will test their love, their loyalty and their ability to believe in each other. In this game, not only money is at risk, but also the trust and connection that unites them, a dynamic that raises the emotional stakes of the program.
Hosted by Alejandra Espinoza alongside Alan Tacher and a panel of analysts made up of Lupillo Rivera, Cecilia Galliano and Jorge Lozano H., the public will follow each key moment through live shows from Monday to Friday and every Sunday, marked by intense twists, unexpected betrayals and extreme bets. In The Interview, Alejandra reflects on the challenge of leading such an intense format and explains why Would you bet on me? It could mark a before and after in couple reality shows. Read the full interview and discover what surprised her and why she assures that this project will be a success.
“Would you bet on me?” you live 24/7. What was the first thing you thought when they explained to you that the public would have full access to the couples’ privacy?
How scary. That was the first thing I thought. We don’t know what we’re going to see, right? And I really think that’s what makes this reality show different from others we’ve already seen. When you go to a reality show, you go for yourself, you bet on yourself, on what you believe, on your ideas and your ideals. But when you are in a relationship, you no longer only think about yourself, you also think about taking care of the other person. And many times what happens to someone you love hurts more than what happens to yourself.
So, I think that in most cases it is like that. The truth is that I loved the idea from the beginning: to see couples living together, to really see if they are real or not, if the coexistence that we see on social networks is true. I love everything, really. I think the whole concept is wonderful and I think the audience at home is going to love it too.
Do you think that today audiences are looking for real emotions more than game strategies?
Notice that the coolest thing about what you asked me is that in Would you bet on me? we have both. We have games, we have strategies because there will be many contests within the show, but we also have the real part, the emotional part, coexistence. There is nothing to do there but watch them, maybe argue, maybe get ready or have a nice conversation as a couple.
I think this concept brings all of that together: drama, coexistence, competition. And that’s what you can do about Would You Bet on Me? a very successful program.
With such an intense format, how do you prepare yourself emotionally to handle moments of betrayal, crisis or extreme decisions?
Yes, it’s going to be very intense. I’m already tired just thinking about it. How do I prepare? Well, look, I really like to get emotionally involved; It’s inevitable for me. If I cry with commercials, imagine you. I get involved in both the good and the bad.
What I intend to do is enjoy it. I am a host, but I am also a viewer, and I like to enjoy what I see. I will try not to show too much on camera when I don’t agree with something, because I don’t want to influence anyone.
The truth is that I’m going to enjoy it, I’m going to enjoy it, and hopefully the audience at home too. I’m already enjoying it and we haven’t started yet, I’ll be honest. I already love many of the participants, many of the couples. I really enjoyed seeing the chemistry our analysts have. Seriously, TelevisaUnivision scored a great goal by putting the three of them together; They have a spectacular dumbbell. Imagine when you are already in week three or four and you have even more chemistry and camaraderie. I think we are on a very good path, honestly.
Do you identify more with the rational part of the game or the emotional part when you see couples face challenges?
I am 1000% emotional. So emotional that even if I were participating and I knew my husband was not going to do something good, as long as he didn’t feel bad, I would bet everything on him. That’s why I couldn’t participate.
Sharing leadership with Alan Tacher, how would you describe the dynamic between you within this project?
So far everything has been very good, it has flowed a lot. He is a professional with many boards. I am totally willing to learn everything you want to teach me; I am open to listening to your advice and that of the production.
We have had very good talks. We want the same thing: a successful program, for the public to have fun and to understand perfectly what we are doing and what is happening. It is a challenge for both because it is not a program that can be rehearsed or that has a script; Nobody knows what’s going to happen.
But I feel like we can rest on each other as a driving couple. I feel very comfortable, I know how professional and talented he is, and I hope he feels comfortable with me too.
These couples will be completely disconnected from the outside world. What do you think will be the most difficult part of that isolation?
I think the most difficult thing will be just that: not knowing what is happening outside, not knowing what the public is saying. Thinking that you are doing everything very well and then leaving the show and everyone hating you.
It will also be difficult to be disconnected from your circle, from the people you love and who want the best for you. That can disorient you and put you in a very vulnerable place. And vulnerability sometimes makes you be someone you didn’t know, say or do things that you wouldn’t do in your daily life. That’s going to be very interesting to see.
After conducting this project, has your way of seeing relationships changed?
Maybe I will change in a few months, when I see everything that happens, but I have always been clear that what we see on social networks is not 100% real. In networks you show what is beautiful, filter it, edit it and upload only what you approve of as a person.
Here we are going to see reality: the good and the bad, the fights, the reconciliations. We are going to realize—both those of us who work on the program and the people at home—that all couples go through the same thing. There is no perfect couple or relationship. There are always ups and downs, and the most important thing is to learn to communicate, have connection and solve the problems we face.
In the end, we will understand that we are all equal. The relationships, no matter how famous they are, go through the same problems as those of Juanito and Lupita at home.
Finally, if you had to describe this reality show in one word, what would it be?
The word I want to define Would you bet on me? It is success. I declare it from now on. Would you bet on me? It will be a success, first God.
