This week’s episode of VH1’s reality tv series Cartel Crew featured 30-year-old Emma Coronel Aispuro, the wife of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, the well-known drug kingpin. Her debut drew fierce criticism and anger on many fronts.
The Miami based reality TV show Cartel Crew, currently in its second season, is a docuseries that normally focuses on the children of cartel members and the challenges they face. The show centers around the lives these children lead outside of the drug world in the aftermath of their parents, and often their own, criminal lives. The challenges of going “legit” with the narco family legacies are often front and center. The people it features have been born into a life not of their choosing, but all have made the decision, some admittedly later than others, to follow a different path. That is, until now. The choice to feature Coronel broke from that mold, and many people are furious. She will be featured this season as the show follows her life after her husband’s sentencing.
In an amped-up, glamorous portrayal reminiscent of the Real Housewives series, viewers were introduced to the former teen beauty pageant queen. Many felt this glamorization was a slap in the face to those who have been victims of cartel violence. By seemingly glorifying her life tied to a violent criminal organization, critics feel VH1 dismisses the mass quantity of people impacted by the drugs, torture, and murders linked to the cartel and El Chapo, Corenel’s husband. As The Washington Post reported, she appeared not only supportive of her husband during the trial, but dismissive of his crimes and her own involvement, even reportedly laughing when text messages displayed showed him asking her to hide his weapons. Her behavior was insensitive and often bizarre, including blowing kisses to her husband in court and even wearing matching outfits with his mistress. Despite claiming to not have social media accounts of her own, photos started popping up of her in bikinis and tight dresses that appeared to be selfies or poses. Many found this in poor taste and, frankly, a bit confusing.
The show appears to be Coronel’s attempt to present herself in a better light. She says during the show, “It’s sad that they judge us without knowing us.” But most are not buying her attempts to gain sympathy. American politicians expressed outrage, as The Washington Post went on to report Senator John Neely Kennedy (R-La.) sent a letter to VH1 president Chris McCarthy imploring him to cancel the reality show, which he referred to as “an offense to anyone, anywhere who has been affected by illegal drugs and the people who supply them.” Mexican journalist Ioan Grillo took to social media saying, “This is a sick and terrible decision by VH1 to have El Chapo’s wife Emma Coronel on its reality show “Cartel Crew.” Grillo went on to write, “There is a humanitarian catastrophe in Mexico from cartel violence. This is not a glamorous reality show. Where are images of mass graves?”
The impact these horrifying impact drug cartels have had is undeniable. There is no doubt that countless lives have been lost or ruined, and that will continue into any foreseeable future. But what responsibility does Cartel Crew and other shows like it have to portray the realities of that world without making it seem like just another glamorous show about rich people and their problems? Are they doing more harm to the victims? While opinions may be divided, critics aren’t going away anytime soon. It will be interesting to see what position VH1 takes on the issue or if they will continue with the coverage of Emma Coronel as planned.
Next: 90 Day Fiancé: Nicole Nafziger’s Dad Arrested for Drug Paraphernalia Possession
Cartel Crew airs Mondays at 9pm EST on VH1.
Source: The Washington Post, Ioan Grillo
