We’re heading back to the Iberian peninsula tonight, namely to Spain for Operación Triunfo’s Gala #1.

Operación Triunfo 2018 sees its second show tonight,where the sixteen OT 2018 candidates will battle in their quest to remain in the competition and ultimately represent Spain at the forthcoming Eurovision edition in Tel Aviv.

Spain is the first country to have kicked off its televised national selection for the upcoming 2019 Eurovision season.

How to watch?

You can watch Operación Triunfo Gala #1 via the following channels  at 22:35 CEST:

• TVE 1
• TVE HD
• TVE Internacional (Africa/Europe)
• TVE 1 webcast

The Show

The sixteen OT 2018 hopefuls will  perform cover songs during tonight’s show:

• Joan & Julia– Vuelvo a verte (Alborán & Malú)
• Carlos & Miki– El ataque de las chicas cocodrilo (Hombres G)
• Alfonso & Sabela–Échame la culpa  (Luis Fonsi & Demi Lovato)
• Damion & Africa– Perfect (Ed Sheeram & Beyoncé)
• Dave & Marilia –Alfonsina y el mar (Mercedes Sosa)
• Marta & María– Ella (Bebe)
• Famous & Natalia– Feel it still (Portugal the man)

The gala will be hosted by none other than Roberto Leal.

During the show the 16 candidates will show off their vocal skills and will undergo the following elimination procedure after their respective performaces during tonight’s gala:

• The OT 2018 four member jury will select 12 candidates to proceed to the next show and nominate 4 candidtes to leave the academy.
• The teacher committee will save 1 candidate out of the 4 nominees
• The 13 participants will save 1 candidate out of the remaining 3 nominees.
• The last two nominees will be in the hot seat for a week and will undergo a public deliberation, the candidate with the least public votes will be eliminated from the competition the following week.

Aitana ( OT 2017) and Malu will be the special guests during tonight’s show and will treat the Spanish audience with their latest music.

The Participants

• África
  
• Albra Reche
• Alfonso
• Carlos Right
• Damion
• Dave
• Famous
• Joan Garrido
• Julia
• María
  
• Marilia
• Marta
• Miki
• Natalia
• Noelia
• Sabela

Operación Triunfo and Eurovision

2019 will see Spain select its Eurovision act and entry for the 5th time via Operacion Triunfo, having used this mechanism in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2018.

OT 2018 will determine the 2019 Spanish Eurovision representative, all 16 OT participants will be eligible to defend the Spanish colours in Tel Aviv.

One of 16 OT 2018 will follow Alfred & Amaia‘s footsteps and fly the Spanish flag at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv.