Cuban actor and comedian Yaniel Castillo recently disclosed on Instagram the heartfelt reason behind his decision to stop performing his renowned impersonation of host Alexander Otaola. His young daughter, Anette, is brought to tears every time she sees him dressed as the influential Cuban presenter.
The revelation sparked a wave of responses among Cuban artists, many of whom have a history of disputes or criticisms involving Otaola. They interpreted Anette’s emotional reaction as an indication that the energy associated with the character is negative.
Fellow actor, writer, and comedian Alexis Valdés quickly chimed in with his thoughts, saying, "Children and drunkards never lie, they say. Pure honesty." Valdés has had well-documented tensions with Otaola, once labeling him in November 2025 as a "psychopath without empathy or soul" and "one of the worst individuals Cuba has produced in recent times."
Musician Emilio Frías, director of El Niño y la Verdad, provided a more detailed comment: "Children are sensitive and attuned to energies that adults often miss. Until the age of seven, their connection to the spiritual world is profound. I enjoy your character portrayal because it's impressive, but your daughter knows that energy isn't beneficial, even for you. Sending you a hug and kisses to the little princess."
Frías had a public confrontation with Otaola in October 2023 when the host accused him of being hypocritical. In response, Frías accused Otaola of "profiting from the suffering of Cubans."
Musician Alain Pérez also commented on the situation, noting, "It's incredible how the child senses the negative energy." Actress and comedian Aly Sánchez was more straightforward: "Don't make her cry, she's beautiful."
Anette was born on August 31, 2023. Castillo described her arrival as "the most beautiful experience" of his life when he announced it on social media.
The relationship between Castillo and Otaola has seen its share of ups and downs. In March 2023, during the World Baseball Classic, Otaola announced legal action against Castillo for using his likeness in commercial promotions for companies with which Otaola had severed ties due to their support of the Cuban team. Otaola declared on his show, "That's the stampede of elephants to crush him in the legal field."
The dispute was settled shortly after, with Castillo agreeing to cease the commercial promotions but continuing with his comedic imitations. "From above, you-know-who told me I couldn't promote businesses or services, and I respected that," Castillo remarked at the time, still in character as Otaola.
Now, three years after that settlement, it seems Castillo's own daughter has effectively ended the impersonation, at least for the foreseeable future.
Understanding the Impact of Yaniel Castillo's Decision
Why did Yaniel Castillo stop impersonating Alexander Otaola?
Yaniel Castillo decided to stop impersonating Alexander Otaola because his daughter Anette would cry every time she saw him in character, indicating a negative reaction to the energy associated with the impersonation.
What was the reaction from other Cuban artists to Castillo's announcement?
Several Cuban artists, many with past conflicts with Otaola, reacted to Castillo's announcement by interpreting Anette's reaction as a sign of the negative energy associated with Otaola's character.