Cristina Pedroche Responds to Backlash Over Ibiza DJ Debut and Reveals She Played Without Payment
Spanish television presenter Cristina Pedroche has responded to criticism and insulting messages following her first performance as a DJ in Ibiza, explaining how she prepared for the set, thanking those who supported her and revealing that she did not receive payment for the appearance.
Pedroche made her DJ debut on Sunday, 11 October, at the closing-season party for StreetXO Ibiza, the restaurant associated with her husband, renowned chef Dabiz Muñoz. The event took place at Ibiza Gallery and marked the end of the restaurant’s first season on the island.
The performance attracted attention both at the venue and online. While some people welcomed her new musical venture, others questioned her appearance behind the decks and criticised the idea of celebrities entering the DJ scene.
On Tuesday, 13 October, Pedroche addressed the reaction in a statement shared on Instagram, defending her decision to take on the challenge and speaking out against the personal abuse she had received.
“I Am Not Hurting Anyone”
Pedroche opened her response by acknowledging the hostility directed at her online, writing: “Good morning to everyone, including those who wish horrible things upon me.”
She added that she was sorry some people had felt offended by her performance but maintained that she was not harming anyone by trying something new.
Her response followed the circulation of critical comments about her DJ debut, including messages containing personal insults. Pedroche chose to address those attacks publicly while explaining that the appearance had been a personal challenge she had taken seriously.
The debate has also raised wider questions about celebrities entering an industry in which professional DJs often spend years developing their technical skills and musical identities. Pedroche’s account focused on the preparation behind her debut and her enthusiasm for learning.
How DJ Sebastián Gamboa Helped Prepare Her
Pedroche explained that the performance was not an entirely spontaneous decision. She had been learning and practising with Ibiza DJ Sebastián Gamboa, a veteran of the island’s electronic music scene.
According to Pedroche, she accepted the opportunity after Gamboa, her teacher, told her she could do well. She said she had spent considerable time practising, studying and learning from experienced DJs before stepping into the booth.
She described the experience positively, saying that, for a first performance, she believed it had gone well. She also said the audience danced throughout the session and that she had thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
In an earlier post about her preparation, Pedroche explained that her musical selection was entirely her own, while Gamboa guided her through the technical aspects of DJing. She said he had given her the freedom to express herself through the music.
The distinction is important: Pedroche presented the performance as the result of practice and guidance, rather than claiming to have the experience of an established professional DJ.
Pedroche Says She Was Not Paid for the Performance
One of the details she specifically wanted to clarify was the financial arrangement.
Pedroche said she had performed at StreetXO Ibiza without receiving payment. Referring to the venue as “my home”, she explained that the appearance was for people who had come to support her.
She said around 300 people had attended to show their support and thanked those who had congratulated her and encouraged her to continue.
Published reports gave differing estimates of attendance, so the figure of 300 is best understood as the number Pedroche herself cited rather than a separately confirmed count.
Her statement also addressed criticism directed at her for performing at a restaurant connected to her family. She emphasised that the appearance was not a paid booking and framed it as a personal challenge undertaken in a familiar setting.
A Debut After a Difficult Week of Illness
The performance also came after a challenging week for Pedroche’s health. Before her appearance, she had reportedly spent several days dealing with sinusitis and had visited emergency services twice.
Despite this, she went ahead with her first public DJ set at the restaurant’s closing party.
After the event, she initially shared her excitement and gratitude on social media before responding to the more hostile comments that followed.
The experience appears to have strengthened her interest in music rather than discouraged her. In her response, she said she had fulfilled a dream she had not previously realised she had and made clear that she did not want to stop there.
Could Cristina Pedroche Return to the DJ Booth?
Pedroche has indicated that she wants to continue learning and developing this new interest. Her comments suggest that the Ibiza appearance may be the beginning of a longer-term pursuit, although no further performance dates were confirmed in her statement.
Her debut brought together several elements that made it a talking point: a well-known television personality, a high-profile restaurant, guidance from an experienced Ibiza DJ and a social media debate about who should perform in the electronic music scene.
For Pedroche, however, the main takeaway was the enjoyment of the experience and the possibility of continuing to improve.
She thanked those who supported her and encouraged her to keep going, while rejecting the personal attacks directed at her. The response has made clear that, despite the criticism surrounding her first set, she remains interested in exploring DJing further.
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