Last year, Spain returned to the popular format of Operación Triunfo not only for entertainment purposes, but also to help select their Eurovision act for the 2018 contest. The decision has been made to continue with the programme, and once again it will be used to select their Eurovision act.
After a nationwide casting, just 18 young artists were selected to continue through to the televised stage of the competition which will begin on the 19th of September. The first show will be Gala 0 where the 18 participants will be presented and will perform a cover song of their choice. From there, two artists will be eliminated.
For the other galas, the artists will be assigned songs to perform solo or as a duet. The audience are invited to vote for their favourite act, and the act that receives the most votes is exempt from eviction. Each show will feature four eviction nominees, two of which are saved by the Academy staff and the fellow contestants. The other two prepare a song to perform in the next gala, and the decision will be made by the audience.
Here are the 18 performers and their cities of origin:
- África (22) – Madrid
- Albra Reche (20) – Elche
- Alfonso (22) – Madrid
- Carlos Right (25) – Esplugues de Llobregat
- Damion (21) – Adeje
- Dave (20) – Cádiz
- Famous (19) – Bormujos
- Joan Garrido (22) – Palma de Mallorca
- Julia (23) – Cádiz
- Luis (19) – El Masnou
- María (26) – Madrid
- Marilia (18) – La Palmas de Gran Canaria
- Marta (18) – Málaga
- Miki (22) – Terrassa
- Natalia (19) – Pamplona
- Noelia (22) – Málaga
- Rodrigo (25) – Seville
- Sabela (24) – A Coruña
Check out the participants here.
In the previous season, there was a dedicated Eurovision gala later on in the season which was specifically used to select the act and song that would represent the nation at Eurovision. As you will remember, it was the duo Alfred and Amaia who were chosen. It is at this stage unclear what date this Eurovision gala will take place.
Stay tuned for more news from Spain as their Operación Triunfo and Eurovision journey begins!