Spain has finally found its “SloMo” successor. After an intense week-long competition, Blanca Paloma has triumphed at Benidorm Fest 2023 and will represent Spain at Eurovision in Liverpool with the song “Eaea”.
Blanca Paloma topped the international jury and public votes, beating out fan favourites and rivals Agoney and Vicco to the crown.
Spain Eurovision 2023: Blanca Paloma — “Eaea”
Live from the Valencian coast, eight artists battled it out in the grand final of the second edition of Benidorm Fest.
All eyes were on semi-final 1 winner Agoney and semi-final 2 winner Blanca Paloma, who picked up major hype after their respective heats. Also joining the lineup was wiwibloggs’ poll winners Fusa Nocta and Karmento.
Benidorm Fest 2023 finalists
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Eight acts competed in the grand final. Here were tonights’s acts in order of performance:
- Karmento — “Quiero y duelo”
- Megara — “Arcadia”
- Alice Wonder — “Yo quisiera”
- Fusa Nocta — “Mi familia”
- Agoney — “Quiero arder”
- Blanca Paloma — “Eaea”
- José Otero — “Inviernos en Marte”
- Vicco — “Nochentera”
Jury results
- Blanca Paloma — “Eaea” (94 points)
- Agoney — “Quiero arder” (80 points)
- Vicco — “Nochentera” – (59 points)
- Alice Wonder — “Yo quisiera” – (53 points)
- Megara — “Arcadia” (50 points)
- José Otero — “Inviernos en Marte” (37 points)
- Karmento — “Quiero y duelo” (35 points)
- Fusa Nocta — “Mi familia” (24 points)
Demoscopic Jury results
- Vicco — “Nochentera” — 40 points
- Blanca Paloma — “Eaea” — 35 points
- Agoney — “Quiero arder” — 30 points
- Megara — “Arcadia” — 28 points
- Fusa Nocta — “Mi familia” — 25 points
- José Otero — “Inviernos en Marte” — 22 points
- Karmento — “Quiero y duelo” — 20 points
- Alice Wonder — “Yo quisiera” — 16 points
Televote results
- Blanca Paloma — “Eaea” (40 points)
- Agoney — “Quiero arder” (35 points)
- Vicco — “Nochentera” (30 points)
- Megara — “Arcadia” (28 points)
- Karmento — “Quiero y duelo” (25 points)
- Fusa Nocta — “Mi familia” (22 points)
- Alice Wonder — “Yo quisiera” (20 points)
- José Otero — “Inviernos en Marte” (16 points)
The results of tonight’s show were determined by 50% jury vote, 25% demoscopic jury vote and 25% televoting. A demoscopic jury is a panel of judges made up of a sample of the Spanish population. They were selected by statistical and demoscopic criteria to be representative of the country at large.
The jury included Melodifestivalen producer Christer Björkman, Eurovision 1997 winner Katrina Leskanich, Spain’s 1989 representative Nina, and wiwibloggs’ very own William Lee Adams amongst other Eurovision stars.
Benidorm Fest interview with Blanca Paloma
Was Blanca Paloma your favourite to win? Let us know in the comments below.
This is an absolutely amazing entry! It makes the hair (I no longer have) stand on end.
So many negative comments here.. I take off from this chat.
I thought for a moment that the song wasn’t really appreciated… but then I look at other chats and almost everyone love it. I know it is not an easy song, but it’s a great piece of art. I mean, for sure there are people who do not like it, BUT what I realised is that only toxic haters come to this specific chat.
Funny that Spanish eurofans are the ones to be called toxic.
That’s not my cup of tea. Spain won’t score so good this year with all those screams & shouts… Is this supposed to be called music?
Not a really nice comment. It is ok if you dont like It and you express It But why go the negative extra mile when there are other 40 songs u can adore? .
Werent we the Spanish fans supposed to be called the toxic ones?
You still on depending this crap and you called me obsessive?!
After listening those Serbian songs this wasn’t bad.
Wow, incredible song, amazing vocals! I loved it!
It sounds very original but for my as a time signature enthusiast…wtf is happening with the song? The time signature doesn’t sound like 3/4. 4/4, 5/4 or even 7/4, rather like changing through the entire song. I should check rhythm of the song one day, but for now: Congrats Blanca Paloma, I like the song.
It’s a 12/8. The song is a bulería, which is a flamenco cante with that type of rythm (sorry, not an expert to further develop this, check Wikipedia for more info).
It should do well with the juries and this year the whole world is voting. I think it’s going to do better than we all expect.
Regardless of the results, RTVE can take pride in having organized a great final. Take notes, Ireland!
William just published he gave the 12 points (maximum) to Blanca Paloma. Taste! Thank you, William!
To my eyes and hears it is a very interesting entry, one that Spain very rarely dared (Azucar Moreno a very honorable exception), which is deserving of special attention. I am just not sure it will make it big in Eurovision, as these sounds are more appealing now than they were in the eighties, but it doesn’t get the magic and edge of a Rosalia-kind of magic this songs needs to make the cross-over. Good luck though
And even then, Rosalia works more with Caribbean rhythms nowadays xd
It doesn’t need to make any “cross-over”, EaEa is just as uncompromising as it should be and Blanca Paloma knows exactly what she’s doing, if other people don’t like it or don’t find accessible enough, that’s only their loss.
You can’t vote against a song, you can only vote for it. Whatever happens in May, this is still an entry Spain should be proud of.
Where did I say it “needs to make” a cross-over. I am all for great statements and uncompromising entries. (These are the entries I keep in my playlists, anyway) But if Spain doesn’t want to complain all the time, and win, then maybe this entry is too daring. And, where, please, did I say that Paloma doesn’t know what she is doing?…
Where did I say it “needs to make” a cross-over. I am all for great statements and uncompromising entries. (These are the entries I keep in my playlists, anyway) But if Spain doesn’t want to complain all the time, and win, then maybe this entry is too daring. And, where, please, did I say that Paloma doesn’t know what she is doing?…
Last year Spain tried a cultural approach. This year Spain is forcing a cultural battle.
Last year Spain tried a cultural approach? Hello? You just wanted to make ur Statement sound witty but it makes no sense.. Regueatton a “cultural approach”??? As if.
Just awful !
It’s horrendous
Two points: first of all, i understand this is a true act, flamenco, authentic, sophisticated, original, folk-alternative, deep music. Blanco has a great voice and she can sing, no doubt… B U T … i don’t think that will appeal to mainstream European public.. too much scream, too much happening on the stage and NO MELODY!! You can say whatever you want about Chanel and Agoney, but their songs have melody which everyone can follow easily after one listening.. last Year’s France was much better and melodic but it finished last… this is very overrated. Those who say Blanca is… Read more »
Mainstream European public are not taking their phones to vote. Only one in 20 votes and no one takes their phone to vote for a generic thing, unless it is a generic thing sung by your neighboring nation
Ur comment could be ok you dont like It what is perfectly fine BUT mentioning Agoney It is like ok ok stop crying
It can clearly go both ways. I believe that it resembles Spain 1983 and France 2022. I like both (truly) but they didn’t convince voters at all.
I find Agorney’s performance more enjoyable (and accesible) but Paloma won fair and square with both jurors and televoters over him so it’s a deserved victory. Also it’s cool to see Spaniards being proud of their entry. Good luck!
An authentic ethnic act by a singer Eurofans will fall in love with when they have the chance to see how simple,generous,candid and nice she is.A bold choice for Spain ! Even if the song touched me, I want to know more about it and I’m impatient to have the whole narrative behind those lyrics.¡Viva España! ¡ Viva Blanca!
Seems like people either LOVE or hate this song.
You know what other songs were divisive? TOY, Amar Pelois Dois, Fuego, 1944… etc.
Divisive songs always do well, watch out for Paloma.
No way this will do well
Not my cup of tea. It reminds me of Telemoveis (that I loooved) but I miss the point with this song. I don’t want to degrade the song nor the artist but I cannot see how this song will resonate with millions across Europe. Yes, it’s quality, not trash for god’s sake, but somehow complicated and loud to hear for 3 whole minutes. Best of luck to Spain!
Happy to see the spanish final with so many great songs. Karmento and Alice was my favourites. Interesting to see how europe will receive this brave and beautiful choice. I notice that Spain isn’t racing up the betting odds. But it is still a long time until may.
annoying screeching
Literally 3 mins of screaming and shouting and it’s being hyped like it’s the second coming…
There weren’t any shouting nor screaming in that performance.
I wanna scream and shout, and let it all out, scream and shout, and let it out
exactly
Tend to agree. I like folk and originality, but this really is “the emperor’s new clothes”. It tries to persuade us with a stunning staging, but ultimately it is a cacaphonic mess! Sorry, Spain. This really isn’t convincing!
Gotta love those downvoters haha it’s awful and a mess! It’s not a chant contest either.
I was thinking “Emperor’s New Clothes” applies to this song too. Have listened to it a couple of times and it hurt my ears. Loved Spain last year – not so much this year.
Exactly. My ears are bleeding :((
Spain worst enemies are some Spaniards themselves, the same thinking that all the others countries are their enemies and acting like if it was right. Look which countries gave to Spain the most points since Spain is in Eurovision, Portugal and France but you don’t waste an occasion to bash these countries especially as soon as you can. This level of hatred has no equivalent in France towards the Spaniards, it’s not reciprocal at all so I really don’t understand what we have done to them to receive so much hatred from so many of them… at least if it… Read more »
C’est bon c’est pas grave. Faut pas prendre les rageux de twitter à cœur
La mayoría de los eurofans españoles tienen una personalidad y un carácter muy especial:
Son intolerantes con las opiniones contrarias y montan en cólera.No tienen respeto a los demás y critican con insultos aquello que no les gusta.Son tóxicos,prepotentes y manipuladores.
La mayoría pertenecen al colectivo gay y esto lo digo con todo mi respeto.No quiero que se interprete mal.
Te aseguro que la mayoría de los españoles admiramos a Francia y su música.Las opiniones por aquí,son de esa minoría tóxica que hay por aquí y que lo ensucia todo.
Estoy de acuerdo con la mayor parte de lo que dices. Pero lo del ‘‘colectivo gay’’ realmente sobraba. Entre otras cosas porque también domina el fandom de la mayoría de países. Es España como país que tiene una idiosincrasia demasiado temperamental.
IT IS NOT as real as you say. Bordering countries have always a link of love and hate. Always happen that but the truth is that many french people come to visit spain and France is full of spanish tourist all year along. Spain is imbued with french influence in literature, art, fashion etc. But you have to think tha for many many years spanish were for french people: the poor brothers in Europe, dirty, lazy, noisy etc and it hurts too. I remember when nadal won all the masters the Sport French minister say: he wins because he has… Read more »
Let’s talk about the hate spaniard are trowing toward italy and italians ? Brothers and Sisters but just because we didn’t gave enough points to them last year they accused us to strategically sabotage them to not make them win. If there is a Country that can compete with italy about the “consistence” of good results It’s Sweden, not Spain. So for us a spanish win is super accepted. But they like to be the victim of Eurovision. They kept sending trash songs to Eurovision and blamed the results on european people that “hate” Spain ? as if Spain is… Read more »
I get your point about the behaviour of fans on Social Media. But I’d say that, historically, the Spanish Televote on the night of the contest tends to favour France also.
Finally even Spain has managed to send something a bit more original than boring ballads or cheap pop songs, something that you might think to vote for!
We are not talking about a masterpiece but, depending of course on the remaining entries, this could potentially win the contest! Best selected act so far!
Sorry but this cant win eurovision…i cant connect with the song because there isnt one, its more like a prayer then a song
And Molitva in English means…..
This cant win because you cant Connect?? WoW Tell the azerbaijaners what do you connect with and you Will get rich.
Eaaaaaaaaa eeeeeeee aaaaaaaa eeeeeeee aaaaaaaa eeeeeeaaaaaaa aaaaaeeeeeaaaaa eeeeeeeeaaaaa noche eeeeeeeeaaaaa eeeeeeaaaaa aaaaa
Quite a nice song if you are bleeding to deth
Death*
How do u know It is a nice song if you are bleeding to death? U bleeding to death often?
That is not bleeding to death, honey. It is just hemorrhoids.
But that doesn’t mean everybody likes and it votes for it. It’s a very brave choice and it will be exciting to see what the rest of Europe thinks of it.
This is awful. She just screeming. Nothing for me. 0/10
Screeming or screeming? Please gal have your words right. You are on wiwi.
Hahaha or screaming i meant. Predictive and alcohol. Never mixed them.
Imagine calling a cultural style of singing that dates back to the 9th century ”screaming”.
Sounds like you’re not cultured enough.
Yes i am. Thats why i not like this
No one can like all cultural styles, something that is old does not make it listenable, and she sounds like a strangled cat.
The Spanish thought bull fighting was culture
You also consider that Sam Ryder was “just screaming” in Eurovision 2022? Because I think that your musical taste is more a matter of racism
Just like you, I disagree with Man, but pulling the race card is a bit childish.
I gave bever said that Sam Ryder scremming. I loved that song. It gave a melidy. But this song have nothing. And dont say im a racist, im not
sam ryder was screaming in 2022,I dont care if he was 2nd or 22nd
Im warming to it. I don’t think I’ll be able to love it like so many seem to but I have at least gotten past my initial feeling of “someone help the screaming lady”! A pet peeve of mine is “microphone breathing” and Paloma does that A LOT! (she is belting for dear life I get it but still XD )
It isn’t a winner by any stretch, but juries will appreciate the art form and enough televoters will love it to deliver a respectable televote result. I wouldn’t be surprised by any result between 8th-15th, depending on how strong the year is and how strongly juries ‘go for it’.
Overall, another good spanish entry full of passion and culture – Congrats.
Sorry ,she screams too much and I didn’t like it at all.Bring back Chanel
Not gonna lie, I’m glad Blanca Paloma won, I think she had the overall package. However, my personal favorite and the one I’m going to keep playing is Nochentera
Highly overrated – this will not do as well as the bookies will suggest. There is always major hype around Spain each year.
The longest three minutes of my life. Simply horrible.
It’s painful ?
The BEST 3 minutes in muy like.Just emocional and hypnotic
Are you quoting your wife/husband afterwards??
For the first time in the history of the world my country Spain IS not doing the same that some other country did before… But much worse.
For the first time we dare to be Creative, to “innovate”, to Risk..
If the song sounds like a gal yelling her lungs out, perfectly fine. If you dont like It, even if you hate It, perfectly fine… But i am extremely Happy (and a bit drunk wich enhances my happiness). Kisses to all, specially the hotties… For those and as Blanca beautifully sings: in my chest there is shelter for your sorrows.
You should drink less.
I like that Spain seems to be crazy about this song, while elsewhere in Europe most reactions are somewhat dimmed. But this is your choice, and it’s great that the whole nation is behind it. This is what Eurovision is all about. I just do not hope you have to be Spanish to enjoy this song, because then Spain will be back at the bottom of the right-hand column. It’s definitely not my cup of tea, but who am I? Spain will at least be noticed in Liverpool.
Spain? I am not “Spain”. I am only me.
It’s good to innovate, experiment and try different things, regardless of the result. I cannot say I like it (at all) but I cannot disagree that it’s different and certainly not crap or a cheap ballad / bop. The final result is something different.
I don’t think it is very original tbh, it teminds me a lot of Frace last year?
To all the Spanish haters and naysayers…It does not matter what you think about EaEa. Breaking news : You cant harm the song or its artist. Blanca Paloma is a woman of the 21st Century with a very CLEAR mission.What you think does not matter when regardless of your opinion you cant talk people out of loving the song and its topic. The opinion that matters is the opinion and critic from the rest of Europe and the World because you cant vote for your own country unless you live out of Spain. So get over it and move on.… Read more »
This song reminds me a bit lyric-wise to the BEST lyrics on a Eurovisión song ever: Knez Adio, Montenegro (i cant remember the year 2016 maybe?)
Montenegro 2015, my second favorite entry of theirs, only below the iconic Euro Neuro.
I dont know about euro neuro but.. iosh te ne dam maglama sa planina, iosh te ne dam msgladam ish du binan.. sorry but my Montenegrian is poor
Nice, although I don’t understand the language, another top position for Spain this year..watch you will see. Mark my word
Definitely not a song to listen to on Spotify, but the performance will be a… moment. I don’t listen to this kind of music at all, but giiiirl, Blanca is amazing. Can’t wait for the performance in Liverpool!
“Flamenco is an extremely popular and iconic Spanish genre that everyone knows of.” No offence, but wow, quite a statement over there. Extremely popular and iconic where exactly? For example, there’s no huge fuss about Flamenco in the Baltics, or in Scandinavia, assuming I haven’t seen much of it during my visits. Secondly, I would have never guessed it’s a Spanish thing, I always thought it was a gypsy thing! Lastly, “EVERYONE KNOWS OF” is not necessarily a good thing. And, well, Rosalia is doing good literally on a completely different level. She’s miles ahead of Blanca Paloma. Also, I… Read more »
It’s a very risky but unique entry. no other song will be like it at the contest. Spain could either do very well or flop Like France last year, there is no in between, but that’s what makes it exciting.
If Germany picks the right song and its selection, and the United Kingdom, and France have great entries (Italy always does well at eurovision), wouldn’t it be amazing to have all the big five in the top 10 for the first time since 1990? Then the 2020s can truly be the decade known for the comeback of the big five.
Nothing personal… But going from Chanel to this…. Pure crap… Sad. Just sad. It’s simply horrible.
Sorry Spain, but this song is not good. My ears hurt …
Dear Spaniards…this is not bad, but send Shakira or Rosalia and then we’ll talk
And France ZAZ and Germany Sarah Connor….
The only way Rosalía can be in ESC is that Spain wins and she performs as a guest.
I’m still wondering why people think that there is such a thing a “send Rosalía”.
BTW, I just saw your comment down below, ahaha. The user formerly known as Midnight Gold is me, that account got blocked so I just had to switch nickname, and you are right, EaEa is something else entirely and there’s a very good chance it will end up as my favorite entry in May.
BTW, I just saw your comment down below, ahaha. The user formerly known as M i d n i g h t G o l d is me, that account got blocked so I just had to switch nickname, and you are right, EaEa is something else entirely and there’s a very good chance it will end up as my favorite entry in May.
spain would rather send shakira to jail for not paying her taxes
Uk could sent Leona Lewis, Adele, Jessie J,
Spain send flamenco every other year and come last.
No-one else can stand it.
Rosalía is Catalan with American producers.
Cataluña IS spain
Only two times Spain sent a flamenco song: 1983 and 1996, 1990 was similar to it but in a very modern style and successful (with only jury voting). Al these are not comparable with Eaea. Nowadays are totally another circumstances at ESC.
As I Spanish i feel offended by the mere thought that Spain 1996 was flamenco. Whatever this guys was singing and flamenco is as similar as a teletubby show on ice and the darkest Metal Band invoking Satan (on ice as well).
I already wrote it. The last time was 1996 with Antonio Carbonell.
This made me laugh as many of Rosalia producers have been Portuguese and Spanish. But ok. In the US most people who listen to Rosalia are in the Hispanic communities. Most Americans outside these communities don’t know who she is—she’s never broken out in the US like Shakira and Ricky Martin did in the 00s. Also insulting to Spaniards to basically boil down their generations of music and cross section of musicians to the 1 Spaniard musician you’ve heard of.
Chanel’s outfit tho… DAMN!
The televote percentages from the final have been disclosed, and my, was that a close one. Blanca won out with a 28.28% of the vote to Agoney’s 27.19%. Full results:
#1: Blanca Paloma, Eaea – 28.28%
#2: Agoney, Quiero arder – 27.19%
#3: Vicco, Nochentera – 17.23%
#4: Megara, Arcadia – 8.31%
#5: Karmento, Quiero y duelo – 6.77%
#6: Fusa Nocta, Mi familia – 5.01%
#7: Alice Wonder, Yo quisiera – 4.41%
#8: José Otero, Inviernos en Marte – 2.79%
Anyway this would not have changed anything. Agoney would have only won if Blanca ended up 5th (!) in the televote. Jury decides the winner 🙂
Vicco doing that with any fan movement unlike Blanca and Agoney.
Queen of locals and demoscopic. Trully
too much screaming nonsense, sorry it’s a no from me.
This is very artistic. Yes, it may not be a song you will listen to the parties or radio but Eurovision is a TV show and it will capture everyone’s attention simply because it stands out from the rest. No other country will send a Spanish-oriented flamenco entry.
Spain did the right thing to vote for Blanca. Regardless of the final result, they are and will be proud.
I think I need more listenings of it to be honest. I do think I could warm up to it eventually because there are some elements in it that I like. But on the other hand I also think it comes off as bit dramatic and over the top.
So I will listen to it and then see what changes..
Denis the people who vote at eurovision probably havent studied them in depth for months like us fans,most people probably hear them once and thats it.
I think thats changing slightly as the years go on tho
Europe is opener than 40 yrs ago, when spanish entry, Remedios Amaya´s masterpiece “Quien maneja mi barca”, flopped. Hope, Spain will end up in top 5. Saludos desde Austria.
Amazing performance! Was not my favorite song, but this performance could go the way of Ukraine 2016 and be a winner overall. Vocally strong, visually beautiful and there wont be anything else like this in the contest this year for sure…and it has the national flavour, and the singer is beautiful. So it has all the ingredients of a Eurovision winner in other words. People might not agree, but it literally is in “written” the cards… Just look at Eurovision history. I also would compare the song with “Telemovies” by Conan Osiris, but unlike portugals performance this year – Spain… Read more »
To all of the spanish fans and others who like this song we all have an opinion and its ok to disagree so good luck to spain in May. good day everyone
Good luck to your country also 🙂 I don’t really like Eaea (I would love to like it since Spain is my country and feel I never like our songs at Eurovision, but sadly I can’t connect with it) but the performance is different and well done. I was rooting for Megara, but Blanca was the most voted and I accept it and wish for her the better luck and result.