HOUSTON – Spain’s RTVE reporter Natalia Escudero was on air when the winning numbers for the $4 million Christmas lottery were announced, and she won.
The winner reacted mindlessly to the news and told her colleagues live on television she was “not coming to work tomorrow.”
However, Escudero was not the only person with the winning number of 26590. Since the top prize is split among all winners, the reporter will only receive $5,500.
According to BBC, the rules of Spain’s Christmas lottery known as El Gordo (The Fat One) is designed to allow as many people as possible to win. Additionally, players can buy multiple tickets with the same numbers.
Escudero faced backlash online for her reaction. Viewers accused the reporter of lack of professionalism and criticized her for misleading the audience to believe that she had won the maximum prize and joking about quitting her job, according to BBC.
Aquí la tienes: "la reportera de La 1" de la que habla todo el mundo a estas horas. ¡Se llama Natalia Escudero! #LoteríaRTVE
— TVE (@tve_tve) December 22, 2019
🔴 Directo ➡ https://t.co/pfgTOQpaaN pic.twitter.com/58j3ACuNte
Escudero apologized to viewers in series of tweets for her emotional reaction and ensured she would not be at work in the following days, but not because she actually quit. The reporter says she is going on vacation.
The following tweets have been translated:
Hello everyone, I want to use this tweet to first apologize to any viewer who has felt betrayed by me, confirming that I had won the El Gordo de Navidad during The Morning Show. It’s true that emotion took over me, and now I’ll explain.
Hola a tod@s, sirva este tweet para primero pedir disculpas a cualquier espectador que hoy se haya sentido engañado por una servidora , al afirmar en directo que me había tocado el Gordo de Navidad en el programa LA MAÑANA. Es cierto que me ha invadido la emoción y ahora explico
— natalia escudero (@nataliescudero1) December 22, 2019
The last few months have tough for me because of personal reasons, and for the very first time, luck has been on my side. I have been filled with happiness, but I have not lied or manipulated.
Los últimos meses están siendo difíciles para mi por motivos personales , y por primera vez la diosa fortuna me había sonreído con un pellizco. Me he contagiado de la alegría del resto de agraciados , pero no he mentido ni manipulado
— natalia escudero (@nataliescudero1) December 22, 2019
In my 25 years as a journalist, I’ve always held my head high and I’ve had a clear conscience because of my rigorous and proven work. It’s sad that “Natalia Escudero” is considered a manipulating and lying journalist of RTVE.
En mis 25 años de carrera como periodista siempre he ido con la cabeza bien alta y la conciencia tranquila por mi riguroso y contrastado trabajo . Es triste que natalia escudero sea hoy la periodista manipuladora y mentirosa de rtve.
— natalia escudero (@nataliescudero1) December 22, 2019
I respect all the professional who for ratings, steal testimonies and fake the news. But, Natalia Escudero has never done that and never will. The people and their stories come before the ratings.
Respeto a todos los profesionales que por audiencia matan, roban testimonios, ficcionan noticias, pero natalia escudero jamás se ha prestado a ello.Y quede claro que jamás lo haré . Antes son las personas y su dolor que la audiencia
— natalia escudero (@nataliescudero1) December 22, 2019
So again, I want to apologize for the confusion I caused and cleared up on The Morning Show today. And I maintain that I will not be at work today. First, because I’m going to celebrate this win and I’m going on vacation.
Así que de nuevo pedir disculpas por esta confusión hoy emitida y aclarada en directo en el programa LA MAÑANA ...y mantengo que mañana no voy a trabajar, primero por que voy a celebrar ese apetitoso pellizco y voy tengo vacaciones
— natalia escudero (@nataliescudero1) December 22, 2019
What do you think of her reaction? Let us know in the comments!