To many she’s the new Queen of Spain — or as some fans have already named her — Miss Amaia I de España. And now, following a spectacular performance of Florence and The Machine’s “Shake It Out” during OT Gala 9, Amaia really is the favourite to win Operacion Triunfo (and the separate Eurovision gala).

She might be one of the youngest contestants in the competition, but last Tuesday she gave the entire country a warm and confident embrace with her endearing and powerful performance. The timing seemed to be written in the stars, as she also turned 19 that evening. Another year and new-found status as a favourite? Muchas Felicidades amiga!

Amaia – “Shake It Out” live at OT 2017

Like a true explosion, Amaia’s performance was a sight to see — but its real power came from what it made people feel.

The birthday girl looked every inch the star, slipping into a white and gold sequein dress that skimmed her thighs and shimmered in the warm spotlight. Behind her a series of dancers held gorgeous orbs, adding extra magic to the on-point performance.

Impressed with her voice, her presence and the staging, the judges deemed it the “best performance of the season” — and sweet-faced Amaia could barely believe it.

The audience rose to their feet, and so did multi-talented singer Miss Diva Monica Naranjo.

Amaia has demonstrated major evolution during the show and “Shake It Out” came at just the right moment, as we move closer to reaching the final 5 who will compete for the right to sing at Eurovision.

Her take on Florence and The Machine hit #1 on iTunes Spain (moving past Ed Sheeran, Pablo López and Luis Fonsi & Demi Lovato). It’s already passed 1.4 million views on Youtube — and will continue to club in the days ahead.

Reactions of Amaia’s “Shake It Out”

From Bulgaria to Spain, OT fans sounded off within seconds of the performance on social media.

Several celebrities and other well-known faces wanted to congratulate Amaia for her successful and iconic performance. These included the Spanish Eurovision stars Rosa (ESC 2002), Beth (ESC 2003), Soraya (ESC 2009), Barei (ESC 2016) and Manel Navarro (ESC 2017).

How beautiful you sing Amaia. Congratulations on my part and I wish you all the success in the world

AMAIA is playing in another league. Amazing!

Amaia! You have just won your place in the final. This is the Amaia who will win OT 2017 and the one that should go to Eurovision. Welcome NEW AMAIA!

VERY STUNNING today’s performance from Amaia! Goosebumps! How amazing your 19th felt! SUBLIME

In shock with Amaia’s performance. Another level.

But not only the Spanish stars reacted. Vasil Ivanov — Head of Press for Bulgaria at Eurovision — reacted too:

The Academy’s teachers and Monica Naranjo also sent their love and support after experiencing the power of Amaia.

SPEC TAC U LAR. WHAT POWER. She’s tremendous

https://twitter.com/soyambrossi/status/948335093554270208

Amaia. Story of Spain

I’ve just seen one of the most shocking things I’ve ever seen on television in our country. Amaia. Thank you.

Tonight’s Amaia performance has just been TREMENDOUS!

Can Amaia really win OT 2017 and represent Spain?

With her sweet voice and charming personality, Amaia has the attributes to win the whole thing.

Throughout the competition she’s absolutely slayed every single performance technically. In fact, the Academy teachers only noticed minute technical problems in her latest performance of “Shake it Out” — which, at the same time, was the performance of her life.

As the only contestant who hasn’t been nominated yet (since Gala 1), and as the singer most supported by fans (having been the favourite of the week on three occasions), she’s more than ready to win. Power to the Queen!

Salvador Sobral’s victory at Eurovision is already inspiring artists to embrace their authenticity. And Amaia could fit the trend in Lisbon by showing her peculiar (and delightful) tone. Surely the judges know that — and will assign her a song that works with all she’s got to offer.

Her greatest challengers in OT appear to be Aitana, Agoney and Ana Guerra, all of whom are creating a buzz among Eurofans.

Who are the OT contestants’ favourites to represent Spain in Lisbon?

RTVE asked them. They answered!

In a stream before OT Gala 9, several contestants who have been cut from the show spoke with RTVE about Eurovision. They revealed who they want to represent Spain at Eurovision and even offered their own theories on why Portugal is no longer giving us their 12 points. Drama served!

Ricky explained that if both France and Portugal are not voting for Spain so frequently, then maybe we’re doing something wrong. Others joked that Spain was in desperate need of a fan.

While choosing who they want to represent Spain in Lisbon, they all agreed with the same contestant: Agoney! Even if Mimi dreamed about Alfred and Amaia together as a duet, she also supported Agoney as the right contestant to go. Mireya also suggested Aitana.

All of them told RTVE that Agoney is dreaming about Eurovision and that they want someone as enthusiastic about the idea as him to represent Spain. But interestingly, they also added that they would like an electronic song for him.

However, Agoney is nominated this week against Nerea to leave the competition. May the best act win…

Inside the academy there are plenty of opinions, too.

Even if Aitana is a little bit scared about the idea, everyone screamed YAS to Eurovision. Agoney thinks that all 16 of the candidates should have had the opportunity for Eurovision: “I know some of them would have loved to go to Eurovision too.” They all agreed that Ricky and Mimi would have been good choices.

When talking about the idea of assigning everyone an already made song, Alfred wasn’t so thrilled: “I think it would have been lovely if we could have collaborated in composing the song,” he said.

If you have your favourite, don’t forget to vote in our poll!

Will Amaia be able to win OT and the Eurovision ticket to Lisbon? Would you like Amaia to represent Spain with a “Shake It Out” type of song? And if not, who would you choose to represent the Iberian nation? Share all your thoughts in the comments section below!

READ MORE SPAIN NEWS HERE!

Photo: GTRES

26 Comments
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Goodnightmoon
Goodnightmoon
6 years ago

As always wiwiwblogs comment section is full of complete random and undeserved hate, Amaia’s performance was wonderful, she is so into the song, you can see she is totally feelling it and her voice was spectacular, subtle and sweet at the beggining and then it goes in crescendo and becomes really powerful at the end, amazing, her affination is also perfect and her english is pretty good for a non-native speaker, she deserves all the praise.

Negra Cabreada
Negra Cabreada
6 years ago

Stop all the hate please. This is an article about a massive media phenomenom that is occurring right now in our country, and it does concern Eurovision, especially because it’s Amaia that we’re talking about, who has really big chances to get the ticket. Amaia is great and there is just no saying this is not AMAZING. This guy is just informing you about how much talent we have in our country in this moment and how someone like her could just slay in Lisbon. If you don’t like either Amaia or this article, just leave. Stop the hate. Love… Read more »

eloi
eloi
6 years ago

Her english is awful. I couldn’t enjoy her performance.

NOmore favoritism
NOmore favoritism
6 years ago

It’s important to be objective, but this post is manipulating the information. Amaia is NOT the only contestant who hasn’t been nominated yet, because she was nominated with the cover of ‘Starman’ (David Bowie). I respect the great advertising campaign (with T-shirts included) to make Amaia win ‘Operacion Triunfo’. I understand that the author Jordi Pedra likes Amaia so much that he only wants to show her videos, pics and news, trying to convince everyone how wonderful her voice is, instead of speaking about the real winner this week, who was Aitana. There are also a lot of people who… Read more »

Joselito
Joselito
6 years ago

She was never nominated. She made the jury doubt whether she should get in the academy or not. She was not nominated to leave the academy as she wasn’t already in the academy.
She was not proposed for a direct ticket to get into the academy, to be more accurate

No more favoritism!
No more favoritism!
6 years ago

Why is Jordi Pedra censoring all comments that don’t agree with him?

Rich
Rich
6 years ago

Amaia would be the perfect choice for Spain. Amaia’s voice sounds very fresh and current , with the right song together with her stage presence and delivery, the ESC stage is hers for the taking….the one to watch that’s for certain. I am extremely excited by Amaia at the moment. Go girl!

Marc
Marc
6 years ago

Why do you think so Robyn? I’m curious.
I think Amaia or Aitana are better options

PP
PP
6 years ago

If we had to televote decide represent of Spain , Agoney will win .
For me best choice for Spain is Ana Guerra. She have charisma on stage, Amaia don t have it. Good voice without charisma don t give good result in Eurovision.

Marc
Marc
6 years ago
Reply to  PP

That’s not happening. Agoney has less support and followers than the other contestants. He would need an amazing song to do so.
People here basically love Amaia and Aitana.
I agree about Ana, but Amaia is so strong on stage and yes she has charisma.

Dani
Dani
6 years ago
Reply to  Marc

Please, watch Amaia and Alfred’s City of Stars. Do you keep on saying that Amaia doesn’t have charisma?

val
val
6 years ago

Amaia is the new Mirella. Who will dare not to vote for her, will face the wrath.

Marc
Marc
6 years ago
Reply to  val

Amaia is beloved by a whole country, Mirela by only a few fans. Differences.

YoungsterJoey
YoungsterJoey
6 years ago

Seriously? Such an OVERreaction for this performance.

Mark
Mark
6 years ago

Who cares? Get back to us when she actually does win the ticket to Lisbon. Right now it’s pointless discussing Spain’s Eurovision entry.

Al
Al
6 years ago
Reply to  Mark

Agree. I don’t really get the point of this article…

Dani
Dani
6 years ago
Reply to  Mark

Wiwibloggs makes an article about everithing related to the ESC, and OT is the Spanish preselection. The point is, why not to make an article about it, when there is unless one of every known preselection?
I don’t get the pointo of your comment.

beccaboo1212
6 years ago

Everybody, get a new trend going! #AmaiaForSpainEurovision2018

brennan
brennan
6 years ago

would have been nice to let us know that eurovizijos atranka was happening this week 😉 nearly missed it

Daniel_2017
Daniel_2017
6 years ago
Reply to  brennan

Totally agree! Thankfully I didn’t miss it, so I had the chance to listen to Ieva’s simple and beautiful song. And she’s so sweet! I think Lithuania should just stop the selection process right now and send Ieva to Lisbon!

Carlos Barata
Carlos Barata
6 years ago

AMAIA’S performance was simply superb. I would like Amaia to represent Sain in Eurovision in my country in 2018. Would be the winner. Congratulations to AMAIA.

Marco
Marco
6 years ago

Aitana has literally 0 stage presence and I think in a huge scenario like Eurovision she will be very lost. I agree with Amaia, Nerea, Agoney or Ana Guerra representing Spain

_Peyton22
_Peyton22
6 years ago

I love Aitana and think she would be a great fit for Eurovision, but I have no idea how she won over Amaia this week!

Josh
Josh
6 years ago

Aitana with a modern song like “Issues” PLEASE!