It’s another weekly gala of Spain’s Operación Triunfo. And while potential Eurovision song are being sent to RTVE, the potential Spanish Eurovision acts are continuing to compete in this year’s talent show. Things are getting serious; good singers are flirting with elimination. Let’s take a look.

First up, this week’s elimination and — OMG, it was close. Marilia sweetly performed “María se bebe las calles”, while Noelia let it rip with “Stone Cold”. Both singers had large fan support and both performances were good in their own way. In the end, the vote came down to the closest OT elimination vote yet (even closer than Agoney and Ana Guerra in OT 2017). Noelia had 49.8% of the vote, while Marilia just snuck in ahead with 50.2%, making Noelia the next act to leave the OT academy.

The first of this week’s big performance came from Famous. He’s made no secret of his desire to represent Spain at Eurovision and for his love of Cesár Sampson’s “Nobody But You”. Tonight he had the opportunity to perform the song and he slayed. It was a big crowd favourite and won him the vote as the public’s favourite for this week.

Natalia was another of this week’s solo performers. She tackled David Guetta and Sia’s “Flames”. With a slick shorter bob, Natalia demonstrated why she is one of the contest’s strongest pop performers. The edgy electropop song was a favourite with viewers, who voted Natalia in the top three favourites. The jury was also impressed and kept her safe from elimination.

The support for Sabela continues. She made the top three audience vote, despite being involved with one of the least popular performances of the evening. Sabela performed “No olvidarme de olvidar” in duet with Miki. But while the performed served Sabela well and kept her safe from elimination, Miki was not so lucky. He ended up in the jury’s bottom four.

We also need to mention María, who unleashed rock chick realness with “Voy en un coche”. She did not hold back!

Gala 7 also brought disappointing performances from two contestants who had otherwise been big favourites. Alba Reche performed “Contamíname” with Carlos Right. The performance wasn’t up to her usual standard and saw Alba end her five-week run of being in the top three. It also ensured Carlos would end up in the bottom four for the third time.

Julia and Marta sang Beyoncé’s “Love on Top” and again it was another performance that just didn’t measure up. While Marta was safe, Julia ended up in the bottom four for the first time.

So this left Marilia, Miki, Carlos Right and Julia in the dreaded bottom four. The academy chose to save Julia, while the remaining OT acts voted to save Miki. This leaves Marilia again facing elimination, along with Carlos Right.

We’ve also noted something interesting with OT 2018. Last year, the gala winning spots were mostly split between Amaia, Aitana and Alfred. But this year, a different act has won each gala so far. Will a new act win next week’s gala? Or will we see the first repeat favourite?

Operación Triunfo 2018 – Gala 7 performances

Who are your favourites from OT 2018?

Last week, we asked Wiwi readers to vote for your favourite acts in OT 2018. Your top favourite was Alba Reche on 20.61%, with Natalia, Famous and Sabela following.

Your two least favourite acts were Marilia and Carlos Right — also the two acts facing elimination this week.

  1. Alba Reche 20.61% (143 Votes)
  2. Natalia 15.42% (107 Votes)
  3. Famous 13.26% (92 Votes)
  4. Sabela 11.67% (81 Votes)
  5. Julia 6.92% (48 Votes)
  6. Noelia 6.77% (47 Votes)
  7. María 6.34% (44 Votes)
  8. Miki 6.05% (42 Votes)
  9. Marta 5.76% (40 Votes)
  10. Marilia 4.03% (28 Votes)
  11. Carlos Right 3.17% (22 Votes)

What do you think of OT 2018 Gala 7? Who will be the next act to leave? Share your thoughts below!

Read more Spain Eurovision news here

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Louise
Louise
5 years ago

I love these articles, thank you Robyn! As an English speaker with a very limited amount of Spanish, I follow the rehearsal and Gala videos more than the conversations, drama and background events. Interesting to see many commenters both here and under YT videos calling out favouritism. Is there any other place where English speakers gather to discuss OT, can anyone tell me? ?

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago

It was nice to see Famous getting some deserved praise. This guy has the best voice in the show. Even more now that Noelia is gone. Another very solid pop effort from Natalia. It just bothers me that she always sings something that suits her, while other contestants get some bombs here and there. Marta did a great job singing Beyoncé and would complete my top 3 this week. I actually liked Alba’s performance. I prefer when she sings in Spanish, the only problem I have with her is her English enunciation.

Am.casablancas
Am.casablancas
5 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

And now she was given Je veux… that could be a banger or a total disaster.

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago
Reply to  Am.casablancas

Now I’m curious to see her performance in French. Though since I don’t speak the language, I won’t be able to praise or criticize her enunciation.

Efraim
Efraim
5 years ago

Famous’s performance is officially Cesár Sampson-approved https://twitter.com/RobertoLealG/status/1060501373857488897

sehi
sehi
5 years ago
Reply to  Efraim

hahaha, amazing! we all know Famous loves this song and it was his favorite at Eurovision, and now Cesar showing his support once again. who is a bigger fan of who here, that is the question! 🙂

Onetimeuser
Onetimeuser
5 years ago

Will the cute guy get eliminated?

Joe
Joe
5 years ago

Send Famous! That was an excellent performance, and that strong, unique kind of package is exactly what Spain needs to get that shot in the arm they so desperately need. Imagine a Spanish-language gospel song! I get excited just thinking about it. Cesar proved it clearly works wonders with the juries, so this could be the ticket.

sehi
sehi
5 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Famous is my favorite and I would love nothing more that to see him at Eurovision. But seeing all of this, I get war flashbacks 😀 from last year when Agoney was the one who was so passionate about going to Eurovision – and then he got eliminated one gala before the final (he had to be one of the finalists to have the chance to represent spain) (I have read on twitter that was the first time OT had 5 finalists instead of 6, I don’t know if it is true so…. I don’t know what to expect from… Read more »

Efraim
Efraim
5 years ago
Reply to  sehi

Actually Agoney still got to be in contention for Eurovision last year in a duet with Miriam… but the song was terrible.

sehi
sehi
5 years ago
Reply to  Efraim

yes yes sorry … I was referring to the song he would have had as a solo act (if he had been a finalist, he would have gotten one, like ana miriam amaia alfred and aitana got)

Héctor
Héctor
5 years ago
Reply to  sehi

That was my first thought about Famous and Eurovision: Agoney last year. But I think Famous has no haters like Agoney had last year. Anyway, we should wait until we hear the competing songs.

Efraim
Efraim
5 years ago
Reply to  Joe

According to Noelia in an interview published today, Famous is the only one inside the Academy who does want to go to Eurovision.

sehi
sehi
5 years ago
Reply to  Efraim

I remember him talking to Alba and saying that he presented to OT when he found out that someone from OT will represent Spain in Eurovision. I really hope he gets to do it, either alone or in a duo

Rose
Rose
5 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Once again, Spain trying to recreate previous years results. It’s worth noting that “Nobody but You” is, so far, the only Eurovision song we’ve heard in OT 2018.

sehi
sehi
5 years ago
Reply to  Rose

the OT chat this week is Eurovision themed and Natalia and Alba (again) will sing Fuego (the only very well known song and the only from another country) Sabela, Julia, María y Marta – I love you mi vida (D’Nash – 2007) Carlos y Miki -Bailar pegados (Sergio Dalma 1991) Marilia – En un mundo nuevo-( Karina 1971) Famous – Yo soy aquel (Raphael 1966) also I have read that this is the first time they (the production or I don’t know who) decided who will sing which songs (earlier they could choose between them who will sing together (but… Read more »

Rose
Rose
5 years ago
Reply to  sehi

It’s true. The production chose. I bet “Albalia” wins the chat poll and wouldn’t be surprised if we get duets for the Eurovision Gala (we know they’re going to sing together). Famous and Noelia could be another popular duet, unless the producers want Natalia and Alba for the ratings, then they won’t put together Famous & Noelia or they’ll find a way to sabotage them with the song choice.

sehi
sehi
5 years ago
Reply to  Rose

you read my mind 😀 yes .. it will be interesting to see how will all that play out .. I would love to see Famous, or Famous Noelia, or Famous Natalia ( i loved them in gala 1) but who knows what the production has in mind, and what are the songs like .. we will have to wait

Rose
Rose
5 years ago

Can we talk about how Natalia once again had the best staging?

sehi
sehi
5 years ago
Reply to  Rose

I am waiting for the day when all of the contestants get at least similar treatment when we are talking about stagings and one gala when Natalia isn’t one of those who performs at the (very) end of the gala 😀
(for example, this was the gala of Famous like we could all see, so it would have been great to see him at the end – best for last and that stuff, but 😀 )

Rose
Rose
5 years ago
Reply to  sehi

This week she’s singing a bolero with live music.

sehi
sehi
5 years ago
Reply to  Rose

ooh I didn’t know that …. *pretends to be shocked* 😀

Rose
Rose
5 years ago
Reply to  sehi

Yeah, and not one but three musicians! Manu Guix on the piano, a violinist and a percussionist.

Toffeenix
Toffeenix
5 years ago

I can’t be the only one who thinks Maria is incredibly overrated. Girl, no.

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago
Reply to  Toffeenix

I think she’s OK. But last night she was looking like a Disney Channel star trying to pose as a rockstar. So unnatural.

Mako
Mako
5 years ago

It’s David GUETTA .. not GUERRA 😉

Mako
Mako
5 years ago
Reply to  Mako

You’re welcome 😉

ESCFan2009 (male, 22, German)
ESCFan2009 (male, 22, German)
5 years ago
Reply to  Mako

“AITANAWAR” was fabulous, but “GUETTAWAR” would also sound nice 😉 Lo Malo forever <3

Rose
Rose
5 years ago

@Robyn Gallagher, the contestants knew Itziar was no longer going to be their acting teacher. They (Miki) let it slipped during lunch, hours before Noemi read the statement. The contestants were probably informed off camera and after the gala, they are bad actors though.

James
James
5 years ago
Reply to  Rose

I still remember the cast of the US version of Big Brother was shocked to hear boos from the audience during a live show when that week’s evictee was caught flirting with another housemate on the live feeds. Everyone in the cast had no idea what was going on with the boo’s until after the show.

With live reality TV, always expect the unexpected.

Rose
Rose
5 years ago
Reply to  Rose

The production told them on Tuesday, the day before the gala.

Am.casablancas
Am.casablancas
5 years ago

Super sad for Noelia since I think she has a very privileged voice, and her song was very difficult to perform since it took very low notes into high pitches. She was not at a 100% because she was overdramatic (I blame it on the juries who advised her to be more of a drama queen) and her attitude (that I think she has the right to have giving how the assignment of the songs have taken place and the obvious favoritism of the jury) took her to elimination, which was 0.3% shy of saving her, so that should tell… Read more »

Rose
Rose
5 years ago
Reply to  Am.casablancas

Don’t worry, Marilia will be saved. Carlos gets a lot of hate. I think Miki will be in the final.

sehi
sehi
5 years ago
Reply to  Am.casablancas

I agree about the Noelia part … if things have played differently this week, in sense of the for example video they showed before her performance – there really was no need to remind the audience of her reaction to the nomination the last week, and the videos they posted on youtube channel (the captions of some videos had nothing to do with what she was saying, it was made to leave an impression of her that really isn’t true) I don’t know … in my opinion, they made sure to do everything possible that she leaves tonight, for me,… Read more »

sehi
sehi
5 years ago
Reply to  sehi

I would just like to leave here few sentences from the El Pais article about Noelia
”Noelia, who at the gala 0 seemed destined to Eurovision, has remained in the middle of the contest without making a bad performance and two tenths of the victory.
And maybe tomorrow she will start to realize that this small, understandable and human outburst of arrogance when she was nominated has cost her that 0.2% of the vote.”

Rose
Rose
5 years ago
Reply to  sehi

The live stream didn’t help her at all. People didn’t like her personality and the production knew and decided to get rid of her (e.g. the videos shown during the live shows and on their channel).

sehi
sehi
5 years ago
Reply to  Rose

yes yes exactly …(this week in particular – I have counted 13 videos of marilia and 5 of noelia on youtube, 2 of which where obligatory ones, and the other 2 were with Marilia 😀 just one of her talking to Manu.. and I have seen headlines in the directo like ”Noelia assures she will not be expulsed” and then you watch the video – and she says nothing like that 😀
incredible how easily they can make people do what they want them to do … I wonder who is next

Rose
Rose
5 years ago
Reply to  sehi

The audience is easily manipulated. Carlos and María are next. Probably Marilia, Sabela and Marta in the upcoming weeks. Only three contestants are yet to be nominated: Natalia, Alba and Famous. One of them will be next Wednesday but it’s going to be saved by the Academy. I wonder if they’re going to nominate two “confirmed” finalists in the same gala (finalists: Natalia, Alba, Famous and Julia) or maybe that’d be too risky. If Miki is safe next week, then we’ll know he’s finalist #5 and I think they’re going back to 6 finalists this year.

sehi
sehi
5 years ago
Reply to  Rose

I think they’re going for Famous this week, with the excuse that ”he is not rehearsing enough throughout the week, but does it well on the night of the gala” (which is not a good argument but they are trying to present him as someone who is lazy etc ) I don’t know. and yes, I don’t think they will ever nominate the favorites at the same time, I think it’s risky too. that is the one dilemma I was having, so it is 6 finalists this year? (last year it was 5, but I have read that every year… Read more »

Rose
Rose
5 years ago

Before the gala began the favorite was leaked (Oops): http://twitter.com/itszaek/status/1060289172601221120

We also knew Natalia and Maria were safe, and that Marilia, if saved by the public, would get nominated again. Obviously, they wouldn’t nominate Alba (she should have been instead of Marilia). Carlos will be eliminated next week, and then they’ll come after Maria, Marilia and Sabela (she’ll probably be next week’s favorite).

sehi
sehi
5 years ago
Reply to  Rose

what hurts me the most is seeing that Noelia would have passed yesterday if only she was saved by the audience (btw well done OT, these hate campaigns and video manipulations work better and better every time :D)
and I totally agree with all you said. seeing the support Sabela is getting the last weeks, I would dare to say that she will make it to the final in the end. (I would love it, she is one of my favorites – the ones I have left )

Efraim
Efraim
5 years ago
Reply to  Rose

OT director Tinet Rubira explained the whole thing on Twitter: the jury meets the afternoon before the gala on the studio to watch the dress rehearsal from the previous day, and they’re told in advance who the favorite is if that person has a huge lead by that point, as apparently was the case this week with Famous. Based on what they see on the rehearsal footage, they make an early projection about who is expected to do better or worse.

Rose
Rose
5 years ago
Reply to  Efraim

They followed that to a T (which contestants they were going to talk to). Also Ana Torroja wasn’t even there on Tuesday. Did you really think Marilia deserve to be nominated once again. I mean, we now know why sometimes the jury can’t even give their reasons to nominate a contestant. “Marilia, you were too perfect.” Ridiculous