Social media platforms have been flooded with a clip of a muscular, tanned man running along a beach, overwhelmed with anguish. Accompanied by the memorable phrase «Montoya, por favor,» this scene has taken the internet by storm.
The protagonist is José Carlos Montoya, a participant in the Spanish rendition of Temptation Island. Here’s the story of how he became a meme that captured the world’s attention.
«Montoya, por favor.» This phrase marks a pivotal moment in the notorious clip, though it’s not heard immediately. Initially, viewers witness Montoya watching, in disbelief, a live broadcast of his girlfriend Anita engaging intimately with another man. His acute distress manifests in cries of «You’ve shattered me!» before he bolts to the beach, prompting the host, Sandra Barneda, to plead, «Montoya, por favor,» urging him to return.
The phenomenon of Montoya’s meme status is intriguing, given the clip is in Spanish. Nonetheless, it rapidly gained traction among English-speaking audiences after @PopCulture2000s shared it on February 4.
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The post was succinct: «this is CINEMA…Montoya..the tension… you don’t need to speak spanish to understand, this is insane»
To date, @PopCulture2000s’ original clip has amassed over 219 million views. Further clips featuring Montoya on the account have garnered 64.2 million and 169 million views, respectively.
The meme that crossed borders. Many users seemed to agree with @PopCulture2000s’ sentiment. Language was no barrier; Montoya’s agony and despair were universally understood and deeply felt. Soon, viewers began utilizing Montoya’s image of despair on the beach to comment on personal experiences.
Some equated it with characters enduring communication issues in stories, while others likened it to the struggles of Kanye West’s PR team following his controversial outbursts.
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«I’ll never get over this. The most dramatic scene in reality tv history. Eradicated language barriers and transcended cultures. Sensational,» expressed @katieogunsakin on X.
Brands soon joined the fun, with the Boston Celtics, U.S. Open Tennis, Crunchyroll, Formula 1, and the San Francisco 49ers all sharing the phrase: «MONTOYA POR FAVOR.» The meme wasn’t confined to English and Spanish-speaking circles; it also reached Italian, French, and Brazilian audiences.
José Carlos Montoya, a contestant on La isla de las tentaciones.
What made it connect? While Montoya’s clip was certainly entertaining, what made it capture global attention in a vast sea of content? It’s likely a combination of factors. On one level, viewers were drawn to the visceral emotion Montoya exhibited. Additionally, his raw outburst, sprinting down the beach, resonated deeply.
This authenticity is often lacking in English reality TV, which some criticize for being overly polished and scripted.
«10/10 performance. They would never allow this on UK TV for so many reasons but it’s one of the best things I’ve ever seen,» Maya Jama, the UK host for Love Island, commented regarding Montoya’s video.
Another element that piqued interest was the explicit portrayal of Anita’s intimate encounter, a rarity on English reality shows where such content is usually toned down.
The @PopCulture2000s account administrator concurs. In a DM, they admitted discovering La isla de las tentaciones and Montoya via TikTok.
«Montoya was funny and the post-production with the music and running was top-notch. I saw people starting to talk about him on Twitter so I decided to make a post. But I never thought it would get this big,» they recounted.
An enduring influence. If nothing else, La isla de las tentaciones demonstrated the unpredictable nature and emotional chaos that reality TV can encapsulate. For instance, after Anita’s betrayal, she tearfully sought Montoya’s forgiveness, claiming she wanted to leave the island with him. The whirlwind of emotions within mere minutes was compelling.
Viewers and critics alike have suggested that this sets a new benchmark for reality TV. To genuinely reflect real life, the spontaneity and messiness must be captured, and the «Montoya, por favor» meme indicates a strong appetite for such authenticity.
The future holds more for Montoya. Regarding Montoya, rumors circulate about his potential appearance on Spain’s version of Survivor this year, although nothing is confirmed yet.
«I’m not surprised, he’s good for TV lol,» @PopCulture2000s remarked.
Images | Telecinco
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