Thunder and lightning it’s getting exciting in Spain! After last Monday’s confirmation that TVE will select its Eurovision act and entry for Lisbon via Operación Triunfo, 2 former Spanish Eurovision representatives paid a visit to the aspiring participants in the academy.
Pastora Soler (Spain 2012) and Soraya Arnelas (Spain 2009) visited the Operación Triunfo Academy during the week and shared their musical experiences with the participants.
The Spanish ladies thus join Rosa Lopez (Spain 2002), Barei (Spain 2016), Nina (Spain 1988), Manel Navarro (Spain 2017) and Ruth Lorenzo (Spain 2014) all former Spanish Eurovision hopefuls who have graced the OT 2017 Academy and shows.
Pastora Soler in OT 2017
Pastora Soler graced the OT 2017 stage last Monday where she performed her latest song La tormenta. The next day she visited the academy and met up with the aspiring artists. She spoke about her career and Eurovision experience in Baku.
When it came to Eurovision, Pastora told the hopefuls that that in order to compete in the contest, they have to be well prepared as representing your home country entails a huge responsibility, much preparation and a lot of hard work.
The experience is unique as you get the chance to represent your country on a huge stage where millions of viewers will see you.
Pastora also mentioned that she will be travelling to Lisbon next May for the forthcoming Eurovision Song Contest, but this time she will attending the contest as a fan and watching the show with her friends at the Altice Arena.
Pastora Soler visits OT 2017
Soraya in OT 2017
Soraya got the chance to visit the OT Academy. She told the young participants that participating in Eurovision has been one of the biggest milestones in her life and that it has been very important for her.
She spoke about her Operación Triunfo experience, career and gave the young aspiring singers advice during her visit.
Soraya Arnelas visits OT 2017
Operación Triunfo and Eurovision
Operación Triunfo kicked off in Spain in 2001 and TVE used it as the mechanism to select the 2002 Spanish Eurovision entry and act.
The first edition of the talent show was a massive hit in Spain, thus getting much exposure and mediatic coverage. Rosa Lopez was crowned the winner of OT 2001 and won the golden ticket to Tallinn with her song Europe’s living a celebration.
TVE used the same format for the following 2 years in order to select the Spanish Eurovision entry and act: Beth (2003) and Ramon (2004).
TVE axed the show after its third edition. In 2005, Spanish private television channel Tele Cinco revived the talent show and aired a total of 5 seasons and had no link to Eurovision.
We must not forget that 2 of the participants of the 4th edition of Operación Triunfo went on to represent years after their participation: Soraya Arnelas (2009) and Edurne (2015).
Spain in Eurovision
Spain debuted in Eurovision in 1961 and has won the competition twice (1968 and 1969). The country enjoyed much success in its early days, but now seems to have had a reverse in fortunes. We must not forget that Spain has not made it to the Top 5 since 1995.
The Iberian country has only made it twice to the Top 10 in the last decade, namely in 2012 and 2014 with Pastora Soler and Ruth Lorenzo respectively.
In 2017, Spain selected its Eurovision entry via a national final leading to Manel Navarro‘s victory and winning the golden ticket to Kyiv with Do it for your lover. Unfortunately Spain came last in the Grand Final, continuing the bad spell of poor results in the competition.
