She’s one of the hot favourites in Spain’s Benidorm Fest. And on Tuesday, Rigoberta Bandini had their first rehearsal on stage with her band: Belén, Esteban, Juan and… someone else?
Paula Ribó, that’s Rigoberta’s real name, had her first technical rehearsal of “Ay Mamá” earlier this morning. In a short video, she tells us how she feels.
?? Look, it’s @rigobandini!
— wiwibloggs (@wiwibloggs) January 25, 2022
The “Ay mamá” singer sent us a quick message while she prepares for her next rehearsal at #BenidormFest pic.twitter.com/jIcA7FKBks
Set to perform fifth in Benidorm Fest’s second semi-final on Thursday, Rigoberta Bandini is in love with the stage: “It felt so emotional, everything is incredible.”
There were doubts regarding her performance. Some days ago, it was published that she would have a giant boob on stage. As you can read in our lyrics translation, “Ay Mamá” deals with the issue of stigma on female bodies. “I don’t know why so many are scared of our tits”, she sings.
In a tweet, she joked about it: “The boob will be so big I’ll have to perform from home because I won’t fit on stage”. Now, she only knows her own tits will be on stage, but “we’ll see” about the rest.
Earlier doubts about “Ay mamá”
Rigoberta wrote this song eight years ago, before she became a mother herself. When she first started working on the song, she felt “there was something there”. “It made me cry, I knew there was something, so I just dug like a dog until I found it”.
Even though the process was “hard” because of the short timing, in the end, the song convinced her “100%”.
“At first, I liked the demo, but I wasn’t in love with it. I thought I would withdraw if by the deadline I wasn’t convinced about it, but by the time I had to submit the final version, I loved it”, she explains.
The impact of “Ay mamá”
“Ay Mamá” is one of the songs with the biggest impact of all Benidorm Fest. It reached number 38 on Spotify Global’s Viral 50 and has clocked over three million streams on the platform.
“I feel like we won already”, she explains. She also feels “vertigo” about Eurovision: “If Benidorm Fest already meant a lot of changes, Eurovision is going to be crazy”.
As we already told you, “Ay Mamá” is turning into a hit in Spain. So far, it’s been featured on Telecinco’s Rocío show and Sálvame.
What do you think about “Ay mamá”? Is Rigoberta Bandini your favourite? Should she sing at Eurovision 2022? Let us know in the comment section below!
I live in Australia and I absolutely love Rigoberta’s song Ay Mama. I can’t stop playing it. Of all the national final songs and the Bulgarian song and the Czech song, it is the only song I am obsessed with so far this Eurovision season. I play it at least 10 times a day. I have to say congratulations to Spain for assembling such a strong national selection though. There is only 1 song I am not really liking (Make You Say by Sara Deop), not because its sung in English but because it is just a little too ordinary,… Read more »
Having watched her other songs and live performances on youtube – she’s insanely talented. I’m going to laugh when everyone will realize she’s winning easily after her performance tomorrow.
I entered this but I wasn’t famous! It should be more about the song and not stage antics – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvasVLnpIYM
From Italy here. I think it’s very important that Spanish fans have finally the opportunity to choose their representative this year after so long time they had to force themselves to like someone internally selected. Whoever wins in Benidorm, and I personally hope Rigoberta will, will receive their support and they will be proud of their entry no matter of the final result. Also, it will feel more authentic to everybody and I am sure it will attract votes just because of that.
But .. from the récent years, it was only internal in 2015, 2016 and 2020/2021 ! Even in 2012 2013 there were 3 songs competing (and 2012 ended up top 10). Correct me if i m wrong but 2014, 17, 18 and 19, spaniard partially chose their representative ^^
(And dont get me wrong, i personnaly think that spain should have been at least top 15 in 2015, 16, 18 and 19.)
And i am with “ay mama” toi, although secreto de agua, terra or calle de la lloreria would be nice choices as well !
In Europe musical tastes are much more influenced by American music and nowadays a song with a “message” needs to be wrapped up in excess. People are used to Milley Cirus “circus” and Spain is delivering Joan Baez.
Considering how much you reference her with no actual understanding of her music, you really need to learn how to spell Miley Cyrus.
What an abomination to compare Rigoberta Bandini to the legend that is Joan Baez. Do not dl that.
I think the only chance for Spain to get a good result in Esc is with a song like Secreto de Agua.
Well, in the great words of Alexis Mateo: “you’re a liar and this is why Catalonia don’t like you“
Rigoberta is Catalan.
I’m sorta of two minds on Rigoberta’s entry. On the one hand, when I read the translation of the Spanish lyrics, I was truly touched and gained a lot of appreciation for this song. I can certainly see why people who speak Spanish love this. Plus, there are certainly parts of the song’s structure that I enjoy. That said, when I first listened to it only knowing that it’s about motherhood and breastfeeding but without reading the lyrics, it didn’t do anything for me. It was just okay and I quickly forgot about it after the song finished. The thing… Read more »
We won’t give up on Benidorm Fest, there is a three year contract and this is only the first year.
take as an example “non mi avete fatto niente” by Ermal Meta and Fabrizio Moro, that is a song that makes the lyrics and meaning its strong point, and despite being completely in Italian it finished 5th, that year in Sanremo there was another beautiful song “il mondo prima di te” by Annalisa, this song could have even won Eurovision, but the Italians still preferred “non mi avete fatto niente” even though it was not the best choice for Eurovision , it is true that Sanremo is not a national selection so it is not made to choose the Eurovision… Read more »
This! I think countries should stop thinking of “what will be best for Eurovision” but more on “what do we want to send that represents us – in its multitude.” That’s the way that the Italians do and it serves them greatly.
If Rigoberta repeats Bilal’s result, it would probably be seen as a big improvement. Remember that Spain didn’t even finish in top 20 since 2014. Bilal’s 16th placement is still quite better than that, and would place Spain in the ”okay” category instead of ”tanking”. France, who previously finished 6th in 2016, 12th in 2017, and 13th in 2018, saw it as a downgrade. Spain wouldn’t. It’s all a matter of perspective. For Spain and the UK, the most important is not to finish 20th or lower.
That’s true, I guess. I’d love for Spain to do a France 2016/Germany 2018 tho, and I just don’t think that’s the song to do it.
I’ll say that cause that’s what i believe: rigoberta’s live performance gave me the same feeling i got when saw maneskin on san remo, when i first heard Shum’s early version and when i first heard Mercy. It may win, it may not but choosing the song it’s a win on its own and I’m sure this will be one to remember for a long time after Eurovision. I’m not from Spain and i do not speak Spanish, but if they manage to transfer the same vibe on benidorm and esc it will be epic. My opinion is that breasts… Read more »
Why is everyone sleeping on Rayden? It’s my favorite song of The national final season so far. It’s amazing! I really hope Rayden will go to Esc.
I am Spanish and he is my favourite as well. Nevertheles, I also like Terra and Ay Mama (in this order). The live performances will finally decide my vote. I am so excited about tonight and the first semifinal!!
Those are my three favorites as well! Good luck, hermano! Your iberian neighbor is cheering you 😀
Considering the voting system in Benidorm, I still see a path for him to win.
Me too, the jury can surprise us, specially the foreign jury.
Major 23rd place vibes. Not a bad song at all, really good actually. But it will get robbed
Love this song, i hope it wins. It just needs multiple listens to click, but now i have it on reprat and im not spanish.
I would say I prefer Rigoberta to go in Eurovision rather than Tanxugueiras at least I felt something listening this song for the first time with this one, not my favourite but between this and Terra it is. If Spain like her and choose her, it’s cool they will send something they have elect and an act whose they are proud. The results in Eurovision are another things, she could do like Sara Aalto, Bilal, or others, big hype mainly from their own countries and from their big fanbases before the contest but it didn’t translate in the esc results,… Read more »
Bilal did not have a bad result, considering his song (honestly speaking, that’s my opinion).
For God’s sake, I can’t believe ever seen this once again. But here is the truth: nobody understands Ay Mama except Spanish fans. If they insist on choosing this song to Eurovision, then literally no one would vote for Spain, Ay Mama is definitely gonna end up in bottom five once again. So Please make the right decision, Terra is obvious a fan favorite in all over the Europe.
I know how spanish fans hate Rigoberta haters, but you guys have to face the fact! You can’t imagine a song that only you (who cant vote for it) like will win Eurovision. That’s insane! Seriously, Ay Mama had nothing to do with Spain topping the odds. This year, Spain has a definite chance to make the top 10, but Ay Mama is not the best choice.
I am Spanish and I dont particularly love Ay Mamá. I also think it will flop. When Spanish fans choose a song for reasons beyond the song itself, it always result in bottom places.
Exactly, for me, all this thing with Rigoberta gives me Tu Canción vibes.
My other problem with Rigoberta is that international viewers will be seeing a 40+ woman singing about Mama so it might be ridiculous on stage. Therefore, she needs to prepare carefully a strong staging that will explain the meaning of the song.
Also, having any tacky props (big boobs) will definitely not help…
While I do love the song, I agree that the staging is important, we’ll see how it goes.
Also I’d like to point out she’s still 31
That’s so impolite. Also, what if she was 45 or 60?
Apparently, she did not have any props in the rehearsals. It must have been a fake.
I go with Rayden, but…
Could you please accept that spain likes her?? And probably you too if you were there and you could understand the context of Ay mamá…
And yeeep, then Spain should accept their result in eurovision.
But it is what it is, they love Ay mamá!
I am Spanish and my favourite is Rayden as well. I am quite a big fan of Rigoberta, I like so many songs from her and I would say that, before Benidorm Fest, she was the one of the 14 contestants I listened to the most. Buy I am not convinced with Ay Mama. I would say my favorites before live performance are, in this order: Rayden, Tanxugueiras, Rigoberta and Varry Brava. I will choose depending on the live performance but I truly think that Rayden or Tanxugueiras are our two best options for having a good result in ESC.
I like the song, it’s good and catchy BUT it won’t do as well as other songs in ESC.
However, if they choose it, i will still be happy for Spain for choosing a song they love (it’s a viral hit). It’s important to send a song that the public loves.
I hope they choose either rayden or terra but i gotta say most of the songs are so much better than the previous years.
her name sounds like a pasta
Huh?
That’s because its not her actual name, but an artistic one, “Italian” sounding. So you are kind of right.
Whilst the lyrics of this song are very meaningful, I fear that if Spain select this it’ll flop. Musically it does nothing for me unfortunately and I’m wondering if the staging is what’s going to make the song come to life.
I don’t get why this song is even a contender for the win. It’s ok but that’s it, there’s nothing great about it and the melody is weird (in a non-catchy way). We’ll see what happens, but there’s much better options in the BF selection.
Sorry but I don’t get the hype about this song
It’s a very spanish song, maybe it’s not a very eurovisive song but we as spanish-speaking people love it
I’m not Spanish but I am a “Spanish-speaking people”, and despite understanding the lyrics I don’t get this song either… But oh well, alea jacta est.
it’s not a bad song but maybe if it’s not a eurovision song and only Spanish-speaking people love it, you should perhaps reconsider sending it to eurovision where literally everybody BUT Spanish-speaking people can vote for it
Hello, I’m not spanish but I’m spanish speaker… I’m latina… a sexy latina bomb…. and no, I really don’t get it…. it sounds to me like those kind of communist protest wanna be song… too much “ñangara” for me
She has a backup singer she usually performs with, it’s probably her.
Isn’t that Belén, who they mentioned? Seems like it’s someone else.
I think it must be somebody else, right, because the backup singer is nothing new.
The backup singer is her cousin.
i love this song and she’s such a badass. and i’m saying that as a non-spanish person. the song really creates a special mood. you don’t have to understand the lyrics to feel this song. so what i’m trying to say is that it definitely has huge potential outside of spain, too!
nah
All the Rigoberta haters should focus on their own countries.
Bitter lmao
The very concept of Eurovision is literally countries asking for points to all the other countries, so obviously no one is “focusing on their own countries”. Everyone wants to see cool songs make it to Eurovision, so everyone will always comment on songs from other countries.
The concept of Eurovision is sharing your culture with the continent. We don’t care if you like it. Stick to your own songs.
I agree that this should be about sharing your culture, but thank god rich and beautiful Spanish culture has nothing to do with this song (or most of the songs that Spain has sent recently to Eurovision for that matter). And I say this as someone who spent 6 years living and working in Spain (Seville to be precise).
I’m Spanish, thank you for your non Spanish opinion about my culture
This will be my very last comment, but just wanted to say that the angle you are using to comment on this website can only be qualified as xenophobic. There are better ways to root for your favorites.
May the best win BF and ESC, and good luck.
LOL I am xenophobic for saying “please don’t tell my country what to do”? You are ridiculous.
Actually, you’re right. If Spain wants Mama to represent them, it would be great because the public will have spoken and the song will become a hit. However, the mixed voting might give us an unpredictable result.
Yes, the public also spoke with Tu Canción. But it was because we Spaniards saw there something beyond the music. I think it is happening the same with Ay Mama, and that’s very dangerous, very beautiful that the society joins forces with something beyond musical, but not good to compete at ESC. Firstly, because it is difficult to make others understand without understanding the lyrics but also because the right to breastfeed in public or to show our female breasts in Instagram (the Free the nipple movement) can be very important for us in Spain, but it does not necessarily… Read more »
Then don’t patricipate in Eurovision
If you don’t like our culture don’t vote for us, instead of telling us what song WE should choose to represent US.
Spain barely got a total of 200 points over the past 5 years and has placed in bottom 5 in 8 of the last 10 contests, so just confirming that we are indeed focusing on other countries 😉
No one is hating her. She is likeable and the song is really good. It’s that international audience doesn’t get this song.
I don’t want Rigoberta to go to Turin and flop because Spain will be very disappointed and give up on Eurovision and Benidorm.
I do respect Rigoberta and her song, but it will flop so hard at the contest itself in Turin (bottom 5 for sure). It’s like Amaia and Alfred back in 2018, when all Spaniards almost predicted them to win (and we know how that ended). Benidorm Fest 2022 is in need of international jury to make the right decision.
In my opinion, Rayden with “Calle de la lloreria” is the right choice. It’s literally screaming top 10! And it’s doing well with international fans. That’s saying something.
P.S. I’m fine with “Terra” winning also.
Madrid 2023
Reaching the top 10 in May is only possible with Terra and Calle de Lloreria.
Ay Mama is nice, but people who watch Eurovision wouldn’t understand the song (not because of the language btw), resulting in a bottom 5 spot if Spain would choose it.
Believe me, there are many Spanish people (I’m one of them) preferring Rayden or Tanxugueiras. I would not take for granted that Rigoberta is going to win.
Not with this song.