Carrusel Actress Christel Klitbo Reveals Bullying During Iconic Telenovela

The beloved 1989 children's telenovela "Carrusel" may hold nostalgic value for many, but for actress Christel Klitbo, who played Valeria Ferrer, the experience was far from a fairytale. Klitbo has bravely shared her story, revealing the harsh reality of bullying she faced on set, particularly from her young co-stars, including the show's antagonist, Ludwika Paleta.

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It wasn't the best environment, I was bullied a lot because I was very young; they did everything to me, everything; the worst thing is that I only have that recorded, I don't have anything recorded from Carrusel, I don't have many memories.

Klitbo confessed that her memories of "Carrusel" are dominated by these negative interactions, overshadowing any potential positive moments from the demanding 8-10 hour daily filming schedule. She explained that the television industry at the time adhered to strict beauty standards, favoring fair-skinned, blond actresses like Edith González and Erika Buenfil. Klitbo, who is of mestizo heritage, felt she didn't fit this mold, leading to her marginalization and bullying.

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There was a very marked beauty standard on television back then, I admit that nobody looked like me; it was the era, she says, of blondes on the small screen, like Edith González, Erika Buenfil, Leticia Calderón, Laura Flores, and Cynthia Klitbo; then, the blondes started to become the bad guys.

This account from "El Universal" sheds light on the often-unseen struggles faced by child actors and the impact of societal beauty standards on professional environments. Klitbo's experience underscores a critical conversation about inclusivity and the psychological toll that bullying can take, even in seemingly innocent productions. Her willingness to speak out challenges the idealized image of the entertainment industry and highlights the importance of fostering supportive and respectful working conditions for all, especially for young performers.

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Although at that time there were several dark-skinned people in the telenovela, none of them continued working, and as she grew up, they stopped calling her, while they (Ludwika and Flor Edwarda) were called more and more.