The second gala show of Spain’s Operación Triunfo 2018 screened on Wednesday night and the show kicked up a gear. Alfonso was the first act to be eliminated from the Academy, Afríca and Dave are up for elimination, while Natalia was this week’s favourite.

On the judging panel of the talent show/reality show/national selection, regulars Manuel Martos and Joe Pérez-Orive were joined by guest judge Julia Gómez Cora. New judge Ana Torroja was absent this week and her place was filled by the singer Rosana.

Tonight saw the first elimination from the Academy. Alfonso and Sabela had been up for elimination all week, based on their performances last week. Sadly it was Alfonso who lost the public vote and will be the first one to pack his bags and leave. But it wasn’t all bad — Alfonso’s husband came on to offer his guy some support and the audience sang “Cumpleaños feliz” to birthday girl Sabela.

But being the first out of the academy is not always a bad thing, as this week’s guest performer showed. Mimi was the first act eliminated last year, but tonight she returned as Lola Indigo and performed her summer smash “Ya no quiero ná”. The performance prompted many Eurofans to insist that their reina go to Eurovision next year, though others noted that Mimi still relies on a backing track to beef up her live vocals.

This week’s top public favourite was Natalia. Along with Marta, she gave a rollicking rockabilly rendition of “Tainted Love”. As well as owning the stage with her confident performance, Natalia also showed that she is one of the strongest vocalists of the year. As Natalia is this week’s public favourite, she has earned a solo performance in next week’s gala.

Another audience favourite was Alba Reche. She duetted with Miki on the Mexican ballad “Alma mía”, accompanied by live acoustic guitar players. The song showed off a quieter, gentler side of both performers, but it was Alba who made the most impact with viewers.

Another favourite of the evening was Julia. She performed “Mi historia entre tus dedos” with Carlos Right. The song is about someone grappling with being in love with a person who just wants to be friends — and viewers were left wondering how true the lyrics were to the pair’s friendship. While it’s still up for debate whether #Julright will be the #Almaia of OT 2018, the couple poured all their emotions into the tender performance.

When it came to the jury making their nominations for elimination, four acts faced the bottom. María was in the bottom four for the first time, but she was saved by the Academy staff. Again Joan Garrido was in the bottom four, and again he was saved by votes from his fellow contestants. In a nail-biting tie between Joan and Dave, Natalia had the tie-break vote which saved Joan.

That left two acts who will be up for elimination at next week’s Gala, Dave and Afríca. Dave had perhaps been outshone by the effervescent Noelia on “Volando voy”, while Afríca (along with María) had been a little lacklustre in the performance of “Friends”.

OT 2018 Gala 2: All contestant performances

OT and Eurovision

It won’t be long before we know how exactly OT will be used to select Spain’s act for Eurovision 2019. Broadcaster RTVE will publish a statement later today with details of OT’s Eurovision selection process.

So far, we know that work on the potential Eurovision songs will begin much earlier and that the competition may be open to any of the OT 2018 contestants — not just the ones who remain in the contest when the gala is held.

What do you think? What were your favourite performances from Gala 2? Who do you think will be eliminated next week? Tell us below!

Read more Spain Eurovision news here

Total
1
Shares
18 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
sehi
sehi
5 years ago

and also thank you for posting links to all of the performances! 🙂

sehi
sehi
5 years ago

Dave himself chose a song (Rock and Roll bumerang de Miguel Rios) that is not in his comfort zone for a gala that he is nominated in! I am sure he knew that people are thinking that he can sing one thing and one thing only, so he wanted to prove to himself and everyone else that he can do it. I find that very brave of him. And please, let’s not forget that he is more than just his jokes – yes, he is funny, and I am sure he is very proud of it – but apart from… Read more »

sehi
sehi
5 years ago

I love you Robyn!

Jane
Jane
5 years ago

Woah. Carlos and Julia were definitely the best of the night. Beautiful voices, good stage presence and i could feel the chemistry. Are they a couple? They look mature. Amaia and Alfred looked like teens in love. But these two feel more like adults in love, i like it.

F@b
F@b
5 years ago

Julia is my clear favourite. She is growing greater and greater each week. Congratulations.

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago

Julia & Right was my favorite duo this week. They look and sound great together and he’s really improving. It was nice to see another side from Noelia (still my number 1), even if it’s not her strongest. Miki remains very solid, week after week. Natalia is a natural on the stage. I hope Dave doesn’t get eliminated. It seems clear to me that Joan and Damion have been the weakest links of the competition so far.

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
5 years ago

Dave being nominated and Damion not even being one of the last 4 once again is the most ridiculous thing ever. In all three shows he’s been one of the worst and he nerver gets nominated, it’s so dumb. Also, why did the academy choose Maria over Dave? Why did the other contestants choose Joan…? I have so many questions. Africa didn’t quite deserve to be nominated either, but I’m pretty sure she’s gonna lose against Dave. It seems like many people dislike her…

Couch Potato
Couch Potato
5 years ago
Reply to  Weißbrot

Dave really needs to step out of his comfort zone. So far he’s one of the few, not to say the only one who’s been singing songs he loves since Gala 0, and that’s not going to change this week. But he’s very popular with the audience due to his sense of humour and pranks (I don’t think he’s funny), so Africa will sadly be eliminated next Wednesday.

The show’s powers that be need to give Dave a challenging song for Gala 4.

Coco
Coco
5 years ago
Reply to  Couch Potato

I kinda respect your opinion, but if we’re talking about comfort zone, the same could be said about África. Not only ‘Perfect’ but also ‘Friends’ are commercial pop songs which definitely fit with Africa’s style. And, as a Spaniard, it’s true that Dave has a sparky sense of humour, but that’s not the only reason why people is rooting for him: it’s clearly evident that his voice isn’t as powerful as Africa’s, but an artist is not only defined by his voice. From my point of view, Dave pass on much more feelings when he is singing than África. Nevetherless,… Read more »

sehi
sehi
5 years ago
Reply to  Couch Potato

Dave himself chose a song (Rock and Roll bumerang de Miguel Rios) that is not in his comfort zone for a gala that he is nominated in! I am sure he knew that people are thinking that he can sing one thing and one thing only, so he wanted to prove to himself and everyone else that he can do it. I find that very brave of him. And please, let’s not forget that he is more than just his jokes – yes, he is funny, and I am sure he is very proud of it – but apart from… Read more »

Marc
Marc
5 years ago
Reply to  Weißbrot

I almost always agree with you but I can’t here with Damion :S
He really needs to improve his confidence on stage but he has something special. He just needs to break. I like his voice.
He’s shy and adorable and many people here like that about him.

I agree it’s shocking to see Dave and Africa in danger that early.
Joan, Maria and Sabela are the weakest in my opinion.
Academy and juries’ decisions are usually controversial just like in Eurovision you know..

Danny
Danny
5 years ago

Totally

Danny
Danny
5 years ago

Africa will get eliminated most probably, ’cause she is kinda disliked by a vast majority of the fans, while Dave, whose nomination was unfair, will be saved.

Efraim
Efraim
5 years ago

My money is on África being eliminated next week. She already has a battalion of sworn enemies in Damion’s fans after she admitted while preparating their duo performance from last week that she didn’t really like him. And, more to the point, let’s face it: her Gala 0 performance was great, but she has fizzled out since.

Vanuatu
Vanuatu
5 years ago

I see Africa more suited for eurovision than Dave. (So far he only proved that he can sing the typical spanish style, while africa seemsa bit more versatile)Therefore, im going with Africa this week. But i dont want any of them both in eurovision, so i dont really care who will leave.
My favs this week were Carlos Right & Julia, Miki & Alba Reche, Famous and Noelia. Natalia & Marta were good (but not great imo) and María, i find her very charismatic but she has to ste up or she will be going soon i fear.

Yellowman96
Yellowman96
5 years ago
Reply to  Vanuatu

But the thing is their priority is to win Operación Triunfo not Eurovision. The Eurovision Gala will occur after the OT winner has been announced with all 16 contestants partaking in a “National Final” gala.

Vanuatu
Vanuatu
5 years ago
Reply to  Yellowman96

true. In fact, eurovision-wise, there is no need to follow the program, due it doesnt matter if someone is eliminated sooner or later. At the end, all will be part of eurovision

Jayy R
Jayy R
5 years ago

I sooooo want Dave to stay, he’s amazing and so lovable! I want him to go far! 🙂