From: inteligencialtda
The radio industry profoundly influences the personal lives of its professionals, shaping their careers, public perception, and even family dynamics. For Diguinho, radio has been a constant throughout his life, becoming his primary livelihood and deeply impacting his personal experiences [02:00:05].
Early Career and Dedication
Diguinho began his radio career at a young age, around 16 or 17, with immense excitement [02:18:52]. He started at Mix radio and later moved to Band, working with Marcelo Batista [02:19:09]. His dedication was extreme, often working until 5 AM and arriving home at 11 AM [02:19:33]. This commitment led him to choose radio over a higher-paying job in insurance, demonstrating the deep personal investment in his chosen profession [02:53:13]. He views radio as his “livelihood” and has never left it [02:00:05].
Impact on Family and Relationships
The nature of radio work, especially prank calls and humor, often spilled into Diguinho’s family and personal life. For instance, during his early career, a colleague would call his mother at home, falsely claiming he was going out with a transvestite, leading to strange behavior from his mother [02:19:47]. Similarly, when listeners sent him expensive gifts like a Rolex and Tag Heuer watches, his mother mistakenly believed he was having an affair with the Portuguese sender due to the frequency of presents [02:38:25].
His daughter’s birth also significantly impacted his career choices, as he prioritized spending time with her. He decided to focus on radio, which offered more flexibility, limiting his live comedy shows to Saturdays to be present for his daughter’s upbringing [03:39:15].
Public Recognition and Interaction
Working in radio, particularly popular radio, means a high level of public recognition. Listeners often feel an intimate connection with broadcasters, treating them like family [02:40:30]. Diguinho experienced this through:
- Gifts from Listeners: Beyond the watches, listeners would bring him food, like sausage pies, if he mentioned craving them on air [02:40:16]. Others even sent significant amounts of money [02:39:24].
- Constant Public Scrutiny: This intimacy, however, also brings constant scrutiny and lack of personal space. Diguinho describes being approached in supermarkets, chased by fans (including evangelicals who hugged him during the pandemic) [03:36:59], and filmed without consent [03:26:21].
- Identity Blurring: People often conflate his on-air persona with his private life, leading to comments about his weight, his connection to Danilo Gentili, or even personal insults [01:46:01]. Even his own daughter was teased about him, leading him to perform magic tricks at her school to change perceptions of their family [01:48:47].
Challenges and Burnout
The demands of radio, especially long hours and late-night shows, led to significant personal challenges, including panic syndrome and burnout [02:00:51]. A memorable incident occurred when he accidentally slept on air for three hours, causing chaos across the entire radio network [02:25:05]. This incident, while almost leading to his dismissal, highlighted the immense pressure and lack of personal time inherent in the industry [02:26:06]. He eventually stepped back from intense radio work due to health concerns [02:27:06].
Public Service and Empathy
Beyond entertainment, radio provided Diguinho with opportunities to engage in public service and foster empathy. He frequently used his platform to support children with cancer at Darci Vargas Hospital, collecting donations and interacting with families [02:40:53]. These experiences profoundly affected him, revealing the “power that radio has” to connect with people and make a difference [02:41:37].
The Future of Radio and Personal Brand
Diguinho believes that digital transformation in media and radio will continue to shape the industry, moving towards multimedia platforms where personal brands and audience engagement are paramount [03:09:09]. He acknowledges that while traditional radio structures may decline, the direct connection with the public and monetization of personal content through online platforms will become even more crucial [02:56:11]. His own venture into internet radio and teaching “freestyle radio” techniques reflects this adaptation, allowing him to maintain his passion while navigating the evolving media landscape [02:56:11], [03:01:19].