Some weeks ago we were naming our first favourites from Spain’s Operación Triunfo. The show has been rumoured to serve as the platform to select Spain’s entry for Eurovision 2018, and now that it’s doing rather well in the ratings, that possibility seems closer. Or maybe this is just wishful thinking because we have found the perfect entrants.
Not to brag about our prediction abilities, but right after the first show, we named four contestants as our favourites. All of them are still in the competition, but two of them — Amaia and Alfred — are amongst everyone’s favourites. And tonight, they’ve sung La La Land‘s “City of stars” together, and well… *faints*
Amaia and Alfred – “City of Stars” live at OT 2017
I mean… LOOK AT THEM. Aren’t they adorable?! It’s not just that everyone is heavily shipping them, it’s also that they are two of the most talented contestants in this year’s show. Their performance tonight has been magical, and OH MY GOD just imagine something like that in Lisbon.
Amaia’s got everyone in love with her from the beginning. Her voice is sweet and soft like a warm embrace, and despite being only 18 years old, she fills the stage like no other. Her attitude and confidence on stage makes it feel as if she has been performing all her life.
But then she’s also the star of the contest off stage. Last week, she was named favourite of the audience, so she was safe. The first thing that she said? “Oh thank you! But I need to use more Instagram, but I can’t because I lose my phone every day!”
She’s so natural and well-mannered that everyone is in love with her. And during this week, we’ve seen some of these moments with Alfred as well. As if we weren’t already shipping them. Like the other day, just before the first rehearsal:
Alfred: People say there’s a surprise now. Do you know what time (the rehearsal) is?
Amaia: At 4.30
Alfred: But people say it’s now.
Amaia: Oh… then it will be now, because I’m never right about timetables.
*silence*
Amaia: You know? I love watching sprinklers…
Alfred: Yeah… they pour water sometimes…
And what about Alfred? He surprised everyone on the first show when he sang “Georgia on my Mind” while playing his trombone. He’s the artsy kid, he’s already a musician and now he’s perfecting his artistry. He’s like the shy guy who’s super good at what he does. In a way, he is reminiscent of Salvador Sobral.
Alfred – “Georgia on my Mind” live at OT 2017
And like, okay, we’re not sure if RTVE will go for an internal selection in the end, but come on, the risk of having something similar to last year’s Objetivo Eurovision is there.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if they pick them once the show is over and just let them write a song? Spain hasn’t had a duo for ages, and we’re sure Alfred and Amaia would be absolutely amazing! Please RTVE, pleeeeease!
What do you think of Alfred and Amaia? Do you think they’re worthy of Eurovision? Would you rather see one of the two on their own? Do you think RTVE should pick anyone else from OT? Or just any other act? Tell us in the comment section below!
Amaia and Alfred are both very talented and deserve the nomination to represent Spain at Eurovision. It is a shame that only one song can go to Eurovision, Aitana’s song Arde was also wonderful. I wish them all the best of luck . I believe they will all have very successful musical careers.
I cant believe wiwibloggs did this article. It’s so disrespectful to other artists and silly, because not all wiwiblog members suporot Almaia. At least try to remain neutral until they perform their songs smh
*support
Seriously, there’s nothing special in this rendition and he should work on his english accent.
I think his English is fine. There’s really no need to sound like one if he is not a native speaker. Improving his diction is probably what you mean.
I like her. I’m not sure about him though. But they blend very well together, I liked it. That said, I still think that Spain should send someone more experienced. There will be all those talks of “will they be last place again?” and this can be complicated for someone young. And like some of you already said, it doesn’t matter if they are cute together if TVE keeps messing up with staging and with the whole process. We’re seeing a lot of countries trying to change things and Spain doesn’t show signs that they’re rethinking what they did very… Read more »
I’m not a hater, but i don’t see anything special about this two, sorry. But between them, she is better than him.
Loved their performance, it was even better than the La La Land version itself. They could be a very good option for Eurovision, but until TVE decides to take Eurovision seriously and work on Spaniard candidacy in a respectful and transparent way, the results will be the same. Which is a shame because Spain has amazing artists and a rich musical history.
Both are great! Either one of them would be a good choice for Spain, with the right song of course.
No, I m sorry but there is one singer only who is actually worthy to be called as such! Only Alfred has the voice the charm and the charisma to give a good score to Spain!
(this article is lowkey a tumblr rant)
I like her, I think she could pull off a cool swingy song. The guy might be not so good, but they do have good vibes together, so if the adorableness is the goal, I don’t mind having him there too. Just don’t make it too slow and APD-y.
Alfred is performing “Amar pelos dois” in the next show.
Gods are listening to you: Alfred is performing Amar pelos dois next week
Please, can we just send the both of them? That was the most adorable thing I ever witnessed recently! I’ve never awwwed so much before.
We have these two and other possible artists like Blas Cantó in the spotlight, but the pink eurofans want Mirela back. My god get over it, her performance was cheesy, the song awful and a non-sense. You must move on.
Yes! I mean, they could’ve send Maika if they wanted to make a difference, but Mirela would have been just as bad as Manel.
In the day of the grand final May 13, Mirela sent a message to Manel to wish him luck. RTVE thinks this was a provocation that caused Manel’s insecurity on stage. This time just send the girl, don’t torture spanish boys anymore.
They’ve sent Edurne, then Barei and they were no better than Manel. Maybe a another solo guy or a girl/guy duet will be something different for Spain….
HE WANTO TO KIS HER BUT, I BELIEVE THAT THE TEACHERS SAYS THAT DONT DO THAT, BUECAUSE NOW IS MORE IMPORTANT THE INTERPRETATION AND NOT THE KISS NOTICE.
EL QUERIA BESARLA Y LO ESTABAN GUARDANDO PERO PIENSO QUE SE LO PROHIBIERON PARA QUE LA NOTICIA FUERA LA ACTUACION Y NO EL BESO. COSA EN LA QUE ESTOY DE ACUERDO
Yes, I agree , they are adorable, but they need a good song AND very good staging. And that’s where Spain always fail.Edurne, Ruth Lorenzo, Barei, and even Manel were all adorable- Spanish people are good looking, warm and with lots of stage presence. What Spain needs to do is once they select the entrant(s), they should apply BNT’s approach and find a project for their adorable singers, a great song (modern or vintage, I do not care) with suitable staging. And someohow, I doubt they will achieve this, because they seem they never learn from their mistakes, and nothing… Read more »
Ruth was amazing tho!
what even is this show, big brother x the voice how does it have to do with eurovision
In 2002-04, TVE used Operación Triunfo to pick their ESC entrant, and all three of the OT entrants got top 10 finishes (Rosa was 7th in Tallinn 2002, Beth 8th in Riga 2003 and Ramón del Castillo 10th in Istanbul 2004). Now that the show is back on TVE after seasons 4-8 aired on Telecinco, there is long-running speculation that TVE will pick its ESC entrant from the finalists yet again. That’s what OT has to do with Eurovision.
OT came out not too long after Big Brother became a hit in Spain, known there as Gran Hermano, at the turn of the millennium.
In fact, both OT and BB/GH are produced by the same company, Endemol, and the former head of that company, John de Mol, went on to create The Voice.
😀
I really think it’s bad when people use these shows to voice someone to represent them. It always ends badly.
I really think it’s bad when people use these shows to find someone to represent them. It always ends badly.
Considering three winners from the past 6 editions of the contest were reality show alumni, I beg to disagree.
Considering that they went to those tv shows when they were really young and not immediately after the show was over, you shouldn’t disagree. They waited YEARS before going to ESC, they grew up. But nice try.
Both Loreen and Mans had to go through Melfest first, and they took part bot long after their tenure in Swedish Idol.
Alumni fron the X Factor and The Voice also got their chance to be in ESC not long after their time in their respective shows.
tbh i want them to internally select mirela after last year’s injustice, because what happened to her was so unfair
Manel won fair and square. Get over it. Within the rules of the show that RTVE made sure all the acts and judges agree too, Manel Navarro won. Just because Manel’s song had been on a radio show hosted by one of the judges doesn’t mean it was corruption. Manel’s music is very radio friendly so it’s hardly surprising that it was being played on the radio. You may not like Do It For Your Lover but I don’t think it’s right to say that his selection was unfair. I am really hoping Spain don’t slip back down into the… Read more »
Nothing is fair when a show hires a juror who you cannot really expect to be impartial. That alone compromised the integrity of the entire selection process.