Alexander Otaola Explained

Alexander Otaola
Birth Name:Alexander Otaola Casal
Birth Date:28 April 1979
Birth Place:Camagüey, Cuba
Other Names:El rey del chisme, El rey de Facebook Live
Party:Republican (2017–present)
Democratic (2010–2017)
Known For:Activism, television, comedy, acting, influencing

Alexander Otaola Casal (pronounced as /es/, born April 28, 1979) is a Cuban-American actor, social media influencer, comedian and political activist.[1] Otaola is the host of the web show Hola Ota-Ola!, an informative and satirical program that covers entertainment, news and politics. His show debuted on Cubanos por el Mundo, a cross platform media initiative, website, and YouTube channel that covers politics, news, and celebrity culture in Cuba and the Cuban exile community.[2] [3] [4] Otaola is a vocal opponent of the communist Cuban government, denouncing its human rights violations and crimes in all of his shows. In addition, in 2023, Otaola registered his candidacy to run in the 2024 Miami-Dade County mayoral election.[5]

Biography

Otaola was born in Camagüey, Cuba, on April 28, 1979.[2] For secondary school, he studied at a special athletic school in Cuba known as ESPA where he trained in water polo, horse riding, chess and ended up in gymnastics and musical aerobics.[6] In an interview with CiberCuba, Otaola said he was born in a society with a culture often favoring a strong sense of masculinity ("machismo") and experienced bullying and homophobia in Cuba.[2]

On December 3, 2003, Otaola emigrated to the United States from Cuba after obtaining a visa.[6] He settled in Miami where he worked as a waiter, cashier at Walmart, baker, and a manager in a housekeeping business.[7]

In 2008, he returned to television and worked in telenovelas and comedy shows.[3] He portrayed the character "Carlos Recto" in the MEGATV show Esta Noche Tu Night hosted by Alexis Valdés, and also participated in a Venevision talk show called ¿Quién Tiene la Razón?[3] Later in 2015, he was suspended by the television network Mega TV for using an obscene word during an interview.[8] In 2017, he started webcasting his show Hola Ota-Ola!, which has a large audience in Cuba and the United States.[7]

Political activism

Otaola has organized boycotts on Cuban artists such as Haila Mompié, Jacob Forever, El Micha, and Gente de Zona which has resulted in their shows being canceled in Miami.[9] As a result of his social media activism, Haila Mompié was declared persona non grata in the city of Miami by the mayor Francis Suarez.[10]

In 2019, Otaola criticized the daughter of Raúl Castro, Mariela Castro, for canceling the annual gay pride parade in Cuba and failing to protect gay rights activists from violence by Cuban security forces.[11] [12]

On social media, Otaola has attempted to uncover Ciberclarias, which he claims are false profiles that spread propaganda for the Cuban government.[13] [14]

On February 29, 2020, Otaola organized a caravan in Calle Ocho, Miami, for the liberation of Cuba, the release of political prisoners in Cuba, and to support the Trump administration's policies on Cuba.[1] According to the Miami Herald, the caravan consisted in as many as 2,000 cars.[7] Following the car caravan to condemn the Cuban regime, Otaola congregated a second caravan to support "law, order, and peace."[15]

During the George Floyd protests, Otaola joined the BlackTuesday campaign on Instagram in support of black victims of police violence and added the hashtag #AllLivesMatter. Otaola said on his show: "If we are going to fight racism, it is not by segregating or separating into races that we are going to achieve it". He also said the murder of George Floyd was not justified and the police officer kneeling on his neck should be punished. He also expressed his belief that mainstream media and the left were trying to promote vandalism and portray Floyd like a hero.

José Daniel Ferrer

On his show, Otaola repeatedly demanded the release of José Daniel Ferrer, a human rights activist which had been arrested in 2003 for his participation in the Varela Project. In 2019, he called for a proof-of-life on Ferrer;[16] later that year, he proved that alleged videos of Ferrer showing aggression and displaying weapons were manipulated.[17] Upon Ferrer's release to house arrest in 2020, Ferrer was interviewed on Hola Ota-Ola! and expressed gratitude toward the program for raising awareness to secure his release.[18] [19]

Controversy

Descemer Bueno

In 2019, Otoala sued Descemer Bueno for defamation and it has resulted in an ongoing court battle.[20]

Roberto F. Hidalgo Puentes

In May 2018, Otaola filed a police report which alleges that Roberto F. Hidalgo Puentes, half of the Cuban duo, assaulted him inside a store in Miami.[21] [22] In a statement to Martí Noticias, Otaola said this is not the first time he has been threatened by Hidalgo, and he alleges Hidalgo threatened to kill him during an event in Punta Cana. Hidalgo returned to Cuba after the incident.[21] In 2018 according to Daniel Benítez of WJAN-CD, a Miami-Dade judge signed an arrest warrant for Hidalgo.[23] [24]

5 de Septiembre accusations

On January 10, 2020, Julio Martínez Molina published an article in the Cienfuegos newspaper, 5 de Septiembre, which alleged that Otaola is accused of sexual abuse of a minor in Cuba.[25] [26] [27] [28] Otaola has denied the allegation and has consulted with his legal team to request the statement's retraction.[27]

Chocolate MC

During an interview walked out of the Hola Ota-Ola! show.[29] Since their initial meeting, Otaola and Chocolate MC have reconciled.[29] Chocolate MC attended the Caravan in 2020.[7]

Red List

On his show he has an ongoing list of Cuban artists, celebrities, and business people who continue to work in Cuba while also possessing a green card in order to reside or work in the United States.[30] [31]

Personal life

According to an interview with Ileana Marce, Otaola is currently single.[32]

Criticism

Boycotts

Critics have voiced concern about Otaola's advocacy for boycotting certain Cuban artists. Several Cuban-Americans who were interviewed by the Associated Press criticized the ban as an act of discrimination and censorship.[9] However, the mayor of Miami Francis Suarez supported the ban stating: "It's not about intolerance or censorship, it's about respect and recognizing the mortifying history of communism, especially in Cuba".[9]

Notes and References

  1. News: Torres . Norra Gamez . J. Penton . Mario . March 3, 2020 . Influencer de Miami moviliza a cubanos recién llegados en apoyo a política de Trump . Miami influencer mobilizes recently arrived Cubans in support of Trump's policies . https://web.archive.org/web/20200509221619/https://www.elnuevoherald.com/noticias/sur-de-la-florida/article240808571.html . May 9, 2020 . June 10, 2020 . El Nuevo Herald . es.
  2. Otaola . Alexander . Alexander Otaola . CiberCuba . El entrevistador entrevistado, en vivo con Álex Otaola . https://web.archive.org/web/20200609181637/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RIsSLvET9E . June 9, 2020 . CiberCuba . . Miami, Florida . May 7, 2019.
  3. Otaola . Alexander . Alexander Otaola . . Entrevista a Alex Otaola: Su Vida Antes & Después de Hola Ota-Ola | Amenazas + Vida Personal. . https://web.archive.org/web/20200609200613/https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=578&v=y_arnywRrDA . June 9, 2020 . live . Familia Cubana TV . . Miami, Florida . July 19, 2019.
  4. Otaola . Alexander . Alexander Otaola . Siro Cuartel . Alexander Otaola: "A mí lo que me gusta es que me ataquen" . https://web.archive.org/web/20190816211424/https://www.hypermediamagazine.com/entrevistas/alexander-otaola-a-mi-lo-que-me-gusta-es-que-me-ataquen/ . August 16, 2019 . live . Hypermedia Magazine . . Miami, Florida . January 22, 2019.
  5. News: Hanks . Douglas . April 19, 2023 . He's a conservative Cuban-American YouTube star. Now he's running for Miami-Dade mayor . subscription . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230419195219/https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article274493321.html . April 19, 2023 . June 24, 2024 . The Miami Herald.
  6. Web site: El show de Alexis Valdés 02-19-20 entrevista al influencer Alex Otaola. June 9, 2020. YouTube. February 20, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200611185854/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80Mf0bTK2SM . June 11, 2020. live.
  7. News: Torres. Norra Gamez. Penton. Mario J.. This YouTube star made his mark among recently arrived Cubans — and got them to act. June 9, 2020. Miami Herald. March 5, 2020 . live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200514071020/https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/cuba/article240808631.html. May 14, 2020.
  8. Web site: Hansen . Lena . March 17, 2015 . El caso Rodner Figueroa se cobra otra víctima . The Rodner Figueroa case claims another victim . https://web.archive.org/web/20180714002639/http://peopleenespanol.com/article/el-caso-rodner-figueroa-se-cobra-otra-victima/ . July 14, 2018 . June 10, 2020 . People en Español . es.
  9. News: Miami Sees Return to Cold War Cultural Hard Line on Cuba. February 4, 2020. Associated Press. June 9, 2020.
  10. Web site: November 29, 2020 . Alex Otaola habla de Haila Mompié . Alex Otaola talks about Haila Mompié . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200611143602/https://www.telemundo51.com/noticias/local/alex-otaola-habla-de-haila-mompie/2024848/ . June 11, 2020 . June 9, 2020 . . es.
  11. News: Defiance and Arrests at Cuba's Gay Pride Parade. March 12, 2019. New York Times. June 9, 2020.
  12. News: The LGBTI+ community of Cuba is living a week of celebrations and controversy. May 20, 2020. Tremenda Nota. June 9, 2020.
  13. Cubanos por el Mundo. Otaola a las 'ciberclarias': "Ustedes me están haciendo invencible e inmortal" . Alexander Otaola . . November 27, 2019 . June 10, 2020. live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200610060918/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3KpF2meLzU . June 10, 2020.
  14. News: Penton. Mario J. Cuban TV shows footage of 4 alleged members of 'Clandestinos' — says Miami money behind them. June 11, 2020. Miami Herald. January 23, 2020. live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200404124534/https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/cuba/article239566843.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter . April 4, 2020.
  15. News: Torres . Nora Gamez . June 24, 2020 . As the country debates racism, support for Trump and views on race divide Cuban Americans . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200715155734/https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article243659282.html . July 15, 2020 . July 15, 2020 . Miami Herald.
  16. Web site: Alex Otaola exige prueba de vida de José Daniel Ferrer.. YouTube. October 31, 2019 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200610044121/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl6LDcNadgA . June 10, 2020.
  17. News: November 29, 2019 . Otaola revela la verdadera intención del régimen cubano con el caso de Ferrer (+VIDEO) . Otaola reveals the true intention of the Cuban regime with the Ferrer case (+VIDEO) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200610034201/https://www.periodicocubano.com/otaola-revela-la-verdadera-intencion-del-regimen-cubano-con-el-caso-de-ferrer-video/ . June 10, 2020 . June 9, 2020 . Periodico Cubano . es.
  18. Ferrer. José Daniel . José Daniel Ferrer . Alexander Otaola. José Daniel Ferrer en exclusiva con Otaola: "Pueden matarnos incluso, pero rendirnos jamás" . Cubanos por el Mundo . YouTube. June 10, 2020 . April 3, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200610041508/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O364JmDawNk. live.
  19. News: April 4, 2020 . Otaola habla con José Daniel Ferrer, líder de la UNPACU, después de ser liberado . Otaola speaks with José Daniel Ferrer, leader of UNPACU, after being released . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200601014124/https://www.periodicocubano.com/otaola-habla-con-jose-daniel-ferrer-lider-de-la-unpacu-despues-de-ser-liberado/ . June 1, 2020 . June 9, 2020 . Periodico Cubano . es.
  20. News: Penton . Mario J . June 9, 2020 . Polémica entre Otaola y Descemer Bueno abre viejas heridas del exilio cubano . Controversy between Otaola and Descemer Bueno opens old wounds of the Cuban exile . April 24, 2019 . El Nuevo Herald . es.
  21. News: May 29, 2018 . Otaola teme por su vida y piden revocación de visa para el reguetonero Yomil . Otaola fears for his life and asks for visa revocation for reggaeton singer Yomil . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200610050353/https://www.radiotelevisionmarti.com/a/cuba-yomil-hidalgo-agrede-presentador-alex-otaola-/177669.html . June 10, 2020 . June 10, 2020 . RadioTelevisionMarti . es.
  22. News: Arias-Polo . Arturo . March 3, 2020 . Otaola: 'Yomil me dijo que me iba a matar, llevaré el caso hasta las últimas consecuencias' . Otaola: 'Yomil told me he was going to kill me, I will take the case to the final consequences' . https://web.archive.org/web/20200215001259/https://www.elnuevoherald.com/entretenimiento/article212119194.html . February 15, 2020 . June 10, 2020 . El Nuevo Herald . es.
  23. Web site: Benítez . Daniel . May 18, 2018 . EXCLUSIVA: El presentador Alex Otaola da detalles sobre la demanda que presentó por agresión a Yomil Hidalgo . EXCLUSIVE: Presenter Alex Otaola gives details about the lawsuit he filed for assaulting Yomil Hidalgo . https://web.archive.org/web/20200611175540/https://www.americateve.com/alex-otaola/exclusiva-el-presentador-alex-otaola-da-detalles-la-demanda-que-presento-agresion-yomil-hidalgo-n992307 . June 11, 2020 . . es.
  24. News: Arias-Polo . Arturo . August 14, 2018 . Reguetonero Yomil podría ser arrestado en EEUU si regresa de Cuba . Reggaeton player Yomil could be arrested in the US if he returns from Cuba . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180815120441/https://www.elnuevoherald.com/entretenimiento/article216702040.html . August 15, 2018 . June 10, 2020 . El Nuevo Herald . es.
  25. News: January 16, 2020 . Alexander Otaola reta al periódico 5 de Septiembre: "Que saquen pruebas legales sobre esta acusación" . Alexander Otaola challenges the newspaper 5 de Septiembre: "Let them produce legal evidence about this accusation" . June 9, 2020 . Asere Noticias . es.
  26. News: January 16, 2020 . Otaola reta al Periódico 5 de Septiembre a demostrar con pruebas acusaciones en su contra . Otaola challenges newspaper 5 de Septiembre to prove accusations against him with evidence . June 9, 2020 . Periodico Cubano . es.
  27. News: September 5, 2020 . Un Periodico cubano llama <> a Alex Otaola . A Cuban newspaper calls Alex Otaola "a cyberpig, a tick and a sexual abuser" . June 9, 2020 . Cuba Trendings . es.
  28. News: Molina . Julio Martinez . January 10, 2020 . Illegitimos . Illegitimate . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200610070416/http://www.5septiembre.cu/wp-content/uploads/impresos/pdfs/10enero2020.pdf . June 10, 2020 . June 9, 2020 . 5 de Septiembre . es.
  29. Cubanos por el Mundo. Entrevista a Chocolate MC en Hola! Ota-Ola por Alex Otaola . Alexander Otaola . . August 8, 2017 . January 31, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170903022349/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIa6eAN_TTg . September 3, 2017 .
  30. Web site: Martinez . Alejandro . November 29, 2019 . Presentador cubano Alexander Otaola propone crear una "Lista Roja" para incluir aquellos artistas y empresarios que cooperan con la dictadura en Cuba y buscan visa y Green Card en Estados Unidos . Cuban presenter Alexander Otaola proposes creating a "Red List" to include those artists and businessmen who cooperate with the dictatorship in Cuba and seek visa and Green Card in the United States . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191220154239/https://www.cubaenmiami.com/presentador-cubano-alexander-otaola-propone-crear-una-lista-roja-para-incluir-aquellos-artistas-y-empresarios-que-cooperan-con-la-dictadura-en-cuba-y-buscan-visa-y-green-card-en-estados-unidos/ . December 20, 2019 . June 9, 2020 . CubaEnMiami . es.
  31. News: December 19, 2019 . Amaury Pérez Vidal se suma a la lista roja de Alex Otaola (+VIDEO) . Amaury Pérez Vidal joins Alex Otaola's red list (+VIDEO) . June 9, 2020 . Periodico Cubano . es.
  32. Web site: ALEX OTAOLA, entrevista sobre su vida y cambios después del éxito.. June 9, 2020. August 27, 2019. YouTube. March 4, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200304051138/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyqsP1owXrk. live.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Alexander Otaola".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.