Francisca Merino

Francisca Merino started appearing in commercials at age 14 and has been financially independent ever since. She studied theater at the schools of in Chile and Juan Carlos Corazza in Spain. her contract was not renewed. In December 2015, after being away from television, the morning show Bienvenidos, led by Tonka Tomicic and Martín Cárcamo, recruited her to be a panelist. She said she accepted that proposal because a morning show is a friendly format and is not exposed to the discussions that often occur in an entertainment show. Although Chilevisión decided to let her go in 2014, in 2016 she was called on to reinforce '''' due to the lukewarm ratings that it was receiving. In an unprecedented event in the television industry, Merino, with a contract on Canal 13, managed to work on two channels at the same time. ==Personal life==

Francisca Merino is a Buddhist, and took refuge in the Three Jewels on a trip to India. She asserts that in show business she represents a "character", and that in her personal life she is not like that. In 2001 Merino married commercial engineer Claudio Labbé, from whom she separated in 2016. She has three children: Dominic, Amanda (goddaughter of screenwriter Pablo Illanes), and Chloé (goddaughter of actor Andrés Gómez). ==Controversy==

On 9 April 2014, the SQP program discussed the performance of singer Ana Tijoux at the Lollapalooza festival, where some young people in the audience shouted cara de nana (housemaid face) to the artist. When it was Francisca Merino's turn to comment on the news, she said "Nana's face, but pretty." This drew the anger of comedian Pedro Ruminot, SQPs guest that day, who questioned her for what she had just said. Merino replied "you are angry because you are also dark. Better bring me a little cup of coffee." As a result, Chilevisión received 275 complaints with the . saying it was a bad joke. In the end, Merino did not continue on Chilevisión and said she did not want to return to the show. ==Filmography==

Film Series and specials Telenovelas Programs ==References==