One of them was dancing in the rain at Eurovision 2014. The other was nominated for a Latin Grammy as Best New Artist in 2005. And now these two pop queens — Ruth Lorenzo and Diana Navarro — are reportedly in the race to sing for Spain at Eurovision 2020 in Rotterdam.
Yes, just two days after RTVE announced that it was poised to announce “a well-known artist” for Eurovision 2020, the rumour mill has revved up a notch. Spain’s Formula TV — a regular source of reliable knowledge at the Spanish broadcaster — reports that RTVE’s internal selection involves these two divas, both of whom appear on countless Eurofan wishlists.
Ruth Lorenzo
Formula TV reports that RTVE is currently in talks with record labels, artists and composers close to the broadcaster — including the folks who manage Ruth. Apparently she’s already working on a song. If she were to appear, it would fulfil her promise — made shortly after Eurovision 2014 — that she would return to the contest “within three years”.
Born in Murcia, Spain, Ruth moved to the United States with her family at the age of 12. She rose to fame on the fifth series of X Factor UK, ultimately making it to the quarter-final. Her interpretation of Prince’s “Purple Rain” remains iconic among X Factor devotees.
In 2014 she narrowly beat Brequette in one of Spain’s most hotly-contested Eurovision selections ever. Following a revamp of her song “Dancing in the Rain”, Ruth became a favourite with the Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals. Wiwiblogger Angus gave the song a perfect 10 in our annual review, writing:
“After listening to this song who would even consider taking an umbrella out into a downpour? This right here is the hottest thing at this year’s Contest. It gets literally everything bang on. Amazing vocal, huge potential for choreography, perfectly blended bilingual sections and an amazing composition that builds beautifully to a glorious middle 8 and keeps the fire burning until the song closes out. A triumph!”
Ruth — the last Spanish artist to make the Top 10 at ESC — has stayed close to the fandom and the song contest. She served as Spain’s jury during Germany’s Eurovision 2019 selection in Berlin.
Diana Navarro
In 2018 Diana approached the broadcaster about representing Spain at Eurovision 2018. They were receptive and apparently she was promised the chance to sing in Lisbon.
The “Sola” hitmaker even had a song ready to submit…and the public were ready for it. Her participation in Tu Cara Me Suena at the time led Spanish media to report Diana Navarro was the ideal candidate for Eurovision. Edurne had won the 2013-2014 series before representing Spain at Eurovision 2015.
Alas: she had the Eurovision gig revoked. Navarro, like much of Spain, found out live on TV that Operación Triunfo would be used as a national final for Eurovision. The show went on to be a massive ratings win for RTVE and led to the selection of Alfred and Amaia.
But, as we reported earlier this summer, Navarro recently said that she’d still “love” to do Eurovision — albeit with conditions.
“I would love to be able to participate in such a festival…If I go, it has to be with my team, because if I hit it, I’m going to hit it.”
Whether Diana’s dream will be realised this year remains to be seen. But it seems that plenty of music will be available for Diana to choose from. “Unexpected” — her eighth studio album — drops on November 1.
Are you hopeful that one of these divas will sing at Eurovision for Spain? Who would you prefer? And what genre do you think each performed does best? Let us know down below!
Every year we hear the same rumours about Ruth Lorenzo and Diana Navarro. I definitely hope this is the year Diana goes though. It will be a legendary Patricia Kaas moment for Eurovision.
Diana is transcendent! Her beautiful voice has no borders…she is truly one of Spain’s hidden treasures.
The great thing about having an established singer representing Spain is that they have the power of negotiation because there is a well documented history of the Spanish delegation being so controlling. Hopefully we’ll see some actual direction and decent staging in 2020
As much as I love Ruth Lorenzo to return, I’m open for Diana to try representing in 2020 and I like her to give Eurovision a chance. She might wow us next year, who knows.
No Ruth again.
Diana could be nice but it all depends on the performance and SONG.
I just hope they choose something more popular than these ladies.
I have no problem with returning artists, in fact, I love it. It’s not a talent show, it’s a song contest – there’s no reason people can’t compete twice.
same
Off-topic: Ukraine confirmed their participation. So, now there are 32 officially confirmed countries.
Also: whatever it is, I hope it’s as good as their JESC entry. It’s really good, not even just for a JESC entry, and they figured out how to do something poppy for an operatic kind of singer.
Their JESC entry is a bit lifeless really!
You haven’t heard the song in its entirety.
I really like the snippet yeah
Spain could do what France couldn’t last year
A power ballad with a twist might work (rock edge of its Ruth, an opera thing if the Got Talent lady does it) or they can lean into the Latin sound. That should’ve worked with La venda.
La venda has no Latín beats to it, it’s mostly Spanish sounding
Even counting that I am Spanish, I’ve never been that into latino music. A simple power ballad would be fine for me.
Please, send Diana. I’m from Russia, I will vote
Lys Assia-realness.
Greek media are reporting today that RTVE has approached eleni foureira to represent Spain in the contest!
Lol
You say one word in Spanish and things just happen
Ruth Lorenzo is so lovely! I would cheer for a power-ballad sung by her. “Dancing in the rain” is so beautiful <3
spain could either go with something more international-oriented (which ruth is perfect at), or with something with an unmistakable spanish vibe (diana navarro’s field). i’d personally go for diana as the good sis can be a televote magnet with the right song
I mean Ruth should keep her promise, she’s just a bit late to it
Would that it came true and we didn’t have to deal with Do It for Your Lover.
why?
Spain REALLY has to work something out around the Latin Pop trend, and I know that Ruth Lorenzo would most likely go for a power ballad. That will be something that a lot of countries will try again in Rotterdam and it’s hard to stick out with it.
I’m sure Ruth would pick a badass rock song instead of a ballad. Just listen to her latest singles.
yeah, they’re awful
Diana Navarro’s voice is lovely, but I really am yearning for a Spanish power ballad at Eurovision, sung by a powerful seasoned female vocalist, like Ruth Lorenzo, Pastora Soler, or Cristina Ramos. I love songs like that. Even Operación Triunfo had some great ones these past two years, like Miriam’s ‘lejos de tu piel’ and Sabela’s ‘hoy soñaré’. I also have to say that Mirela deserves a chance to finally get to the Eurovision stage. Irrespective of who and what they send, I do hope they get a great result at Eurovision… The Spanish Eurovision fans deserve something to cheer… Read more »
If either gets picked, just let them work on the song and don’t have RTVE interfere.
Ruth Lorenzo will demand creative control as part of the deal, if there’s a deal. Some months ago, she told she sneaked out of the hotel in Copenhagen to buy a new dress, behind the HoD’s back, because she did not like how the dress purposely designed by a Spanish designer looked on camera.
From how you worded your post, I can imagine Ruth sneaking out of the hotel literally behind the back of her delegation head. Haha
Definitely Diana.
Either of them or the suggestions from the first article would work.