Mexican music superstar Eduin Caz may not have been able to change the results of La Casa de los Famosos México, but he could certainly change the prize money.
The Grupo Firme singer surprised his longtime friend Ese Pérez with a check for one million Mexican pesos, roughly $55,000, a week after the influencer finished fourth in the popular TelevisaUnivision reality competition.
Caz visited Pérez at his apartment to deliver the unexpected gift, fulfilling a promise he had made after expressing frustration with the show's finale.
According to Mexican newspaper El Heraldo de México, the singer described Pérez as the real winner of the competition, despite the official results.
The gesture was particularly significant because Pérez had spent weeks inside the house competing for a grand prize of four million pesos, approximately $220,000. His fourth-place finish left him without that prize, but Caz decided to provide his own reward.
Pérez celebrated the surprise on social media, thanking his friend and the fans who supported him throughout the season.
"Con tu amistad y toda la gente que me apoya, yo gané," he wrote, meaning, "With your friendship and all the people supporting me, I won."
Eduin Caz Wasn't Happy With the 'La Casa de los Famosos México' Results
Caz had been one of Pérez's most enthusiastic supporters throughout the competition. The Grupo Firme vocalist repeatedly encouraged his millions of social media followers to vote for his friend, even using the band's concerts to rally support.
But the October 4 finale did not end the way he expected. Former OV7 singer Mariana Ochoa was crowned the winner of the fourth season, taking home the four-million-peso prize. Memo Schutz finished second, Karina Torres third, Pérez fourth and Gema Garoa fifth.
Caz reacted publicly to the results, writing "Qué fraude," or "What a fraud," on social media. He also expressed disbelief over Pérez's elimination, questioning how someone he believed had generated so much audience engagement could finish outside the top three.
TelevisaUnivision reported that Ochoa received more than 10.8 million votes and that the season generated more than 48 million votes across its elimination rounds.
A Friendship That Goes Beyond Reality Television
The relationship between Caz and Pérez has been well documented, long before the influencer entered the house. Pérez, whose real name is Jesús Ángel Pérez, built his career through comedy videos, social media and music. He has also traveled with Grupo Firme and spoken publicly about the singer's influence on his personal life.
During the competition, Pérez credited Caz with helping him make positive changes, including improving his health and reconsidering his drinking habits. In a segment published by the show's official website, he discussed how friendships and family had helped him move forward.
https://www.tiktok.com/@lacasafamososmx/video/7688501131575594260
The singer's generosity was hardly unprecedented. Pérez previously revealed that Caz had given him a KTM 1390 motorcycle, a gift he discussed during an interview released by the reality show's producers in July.
Their close relationship also prompted speculation that Caz had financially supported Pérez's participation in the show. In an October 6 interview with La Mejor Mexicali, Caz denied spending money to influence the competition. "Yo no le he invertido ni un peso," he said, explaining that he had supported his friend publicly but had not financed his campaign.
He also defended Pérez's loyalty and personality, arguing that the influencer had earned the public's affection on his own.
"Si él es tu amigo, te defiende," Caz said. "If he's your friend, he defends you." Then came a remark that now seems particularly revealing."No, mejor le doy el dinero a él," the singer said, meaning he would rather give the money directly to Pérez.
Five days later, that is precisely what he did.
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