> At a Glance
> – Jill Whelan recalls Charo’s pet bull, Manolo, once trapped upstairs in Beverly Hills
> – The bull climbed the stairs after hearing Charo sing but couldn’t descend
> – Charo is now ranked no. 3 classical flamenco guitarist worldwide
> – Why it matters: A humorous glimpse at the star’s off-screen life and animal-rescue passion
Jill Whelan dropped a fan-favorite memory on Tori Spelling’s misSPELLING podcast, revealing how Charo’s love for animals turned a quiet afternoon into stair-case chaos.
The Bull on the Staircase
Charo rescued a baby bull named Manolo and kept him in her Beverly Hills home. One day the backyard gate was left open while the slider stood ajar.
> “She hears this, ‘Clip clop, clip clop’… sees the bull starting to come up the stairs because he hears his mama singing,”
>
Jill Whelan recalled.
Bulls can climb up, but not down. Manolo froze halfway, leaving Charo shouting for her husband, Kjell Rasten, to help.
> “She’s screaming, ‘Kjell, Kjell, come help me with Manolo!’
>
Whelan laughed, describing the pair pushing and pulling the bull back to safety.
Beyond the “Cuchi-Cuchi” Image
Whelan stresses Charo’s depth:
- Practices flamenco guitar four hours daily
- Holds world no. 3 ranking in classical flamenco
- Hosts paella dinners with Whelan at her home
The two reconnected during Princess Cruises’ Love Boat Celebration cruise from Galveston to Mexico, Nov. 16.
Key Takeaways
- Charo’s pet bull once invaded her Beverly Hills staircase, requiring a family rescue mission
- Despite her playful persona, Charo is a disciplined, globally ranked guitarist
- Whelan and Charo remain close friends, reuniting on recent Love Boat themed cruise
The story captures the lively blend of talent and spontaneity that defines Charo’s life off-camera.
