Spain’s journey to Basel 2025 continued tonight with semi-final 2 of Benidorm Fest — the nation’s Eurovision selection process. The second round kicked off this evening, as eight contestants competed for the last four spots in Saturday’s grand final.

Just like in semi-final 1, the action went down at the iconic Palau Municipal d’Esports l’Illa de Benidorm. And who better to guide us through the night than three absolute queens: Eurovision 2014 star Ruth Lorenzo, alongside Paula Vázquez and Inés Hernand, who again brought the energy — and they’ll be back to slay again for Saturday’s grand finale!

By the end of the night, four acts secured their spot for another shot at winning over Spain and completed the lineup for this Saturday’s Grand Finale.

Benidorm Fest 2025: Semi-final 2

This year, the full semi-final results were kept secret to avoid influencing the grand final’s voting. During the live show, both the jury (50%) and the public (25% free app vote, 25% televote) selected their top four acts. From there, the hosts announced the final qualifiers after tallying the complete vote.

Results of the jury

The acts are listed in the order of performance:

  1. Mel Ömana – “I’m a Queen” – top 4 finalist
  2. Henry Semler – “No lo ves”
  3. DeTeresa – “La Pena”
  4. J Kbello – “V.I.P.” – top 4 finalist
  5. Carla Frigo – “Bésame”
  6. Mawot – “Raggio Di Sole” – top 4 finalist
  7. Celine Van Heel – “La Casa”
  8. Melody – “Esa Diva” – top 4 finalist

Results of the public

  1. Mel Ömana – “I’m a Queen” – top 4 finalist
  2. Henry Semler – “No lo ves”
  3. DeTeresa – “La Pena” – top 4 finalist
  4. J Kbello – “V.I.P.” – top 4 finalist
  5. Carla Frigo – “Bésame”
  6. Mawot – “Raggio Di Sole”
  7. Celine Van Heel – “La Casa”
  8. Melody – “Esa Diva” – top 4 finalist

Overall result

  1. Mel Ömana – “I’m a Queen” – qualified for the final
  2. Henry Semler – “No lo ves”
  3. DeTeresa – “La Pena”
  4. J Kbello – “V.I.P.” – qualified for the final
  5. Carla Frigo – “Bésame”
  6. Mawot – “Raggio Di Sole” – qualified for the final
  7. Celine Van Heel – “La Casa” 
  8. Melody – “Esa Diva” – qualified for the final

Just like Sonia y Selena in semi-final 1, DeTeresa secured a top-four spot in the public vote but still fell short of reaching Saturday’s grand final. Meanwhile, strong jury support for Mawot likely gave him the edge to surpass her and claim his place in the final — a surprising outcome for some fans, given his low standing in the odds.

Artists like J Kbello and veteran Melody, who have gained traction as the show approached, are among the qualifiers. In fact, Melody and J Kbello ranked as the second and third fan favorites among our readers to win Benidorm Fest this year.

Format

Big changes are taking place this year. The voting system for Benidorm Fest 2025 has been tweaked — just a little. While the results will still be decided by three groups, there’s a major shake-up: the demoscopic vote (previously 25% of the outcome) is out, and a free app vote is in! Now, the final breakdown looks like this: 50% jury, 25% free app vote, and 25% televote.

That’s right — Benidorm Fest history is being made. For the first time ever, you can vote for free through an app. Just download the RTVE Play app (available for Android and iOS), sign up, and you’re in. Need a step-by-step guide? RTVE has you covered. But remember — you only get one free vote, so make it count!

Jury

RTVE unveiled this year’s panel back in January. With members from Spain, Ukraine, and the Netherlands, there’s no shortage of diversity in the mix. Here’s the full line-up:

  • Roberto Santamaría (Spain) – Serving as this year’s jury spokesperson, he is the current director of Radio Nacional de España.
  • Javier Llano (Spain) – A recognised journalist with over 25 years of experience.
  • Jaime Acero (Spain) – A TV producer with a broad career spanning both Spain and international markets.
  • Claudia Orellana (Spain) – A music event coordinator with experience working alongside international artists.
  • Oksana Skybinska (Ukraine) – Head of Delegation for Ukraine at Eurovision.
  • Twan van de Nieuwenhuijzen (the Netherlands) – Responsible in entertainment and music events at NPO (Nederlandse Publieke Omroep).
  • Mariangela Borneo (Italy) – Director of International Projects and Festivals at RAI since 2011.
  • Maja Tokic (Croatia) – Musical executive producer and of DORA (Croatia’s own Eurovision selection process).

Benidorm Fest 2025 Grand Final lineup

  • Kuve – “LOCA XTI” – semi-final 1 qualifier
  • Lucas Bun – “Te escribo en el cielo” – semi-final 1 qualifier
  • Lachispa – “Hartita de Llorar” – semi-final 1 qualifier
  • Daniela Blasco – “Uh Nana” – semi-final 1 qualifier
  • Mel Ömana – “I’m a Queen” – semi-final 2 qualifier
  • J Kbello – “V.I.P.” – semi-final 2 qualifier
  • Mawot – “Raggio Di Sole” – semi-final 2 qualifier
  • Melody – “Esa Diva” – semi-final 2 qualifier

What are your thoughts on Benidorm Fest 2025 Semi-Final 2? Do you think any of the acts from this heat have what it takes to win it all? Share your opinions in the comments below!

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Sognomio
Sognomio
12 days ago

Wonderful ..wonderful Melody…a genious

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
13 days ago

Melody’s show is way too much… And while all that Circus is taking place onstage she Sings: “a real Diva only needs her voice to shine”.

Eve
Eve
13 days ago

Is that the final running order?

Eyal
Eyal
13 days ago

They keep thinking in terms of “what is good for Eurovision”. They really ruined Benidorm.

Eve
Eve
12 days ago
Reply to  Eyal

If they’d really think that they’d choose Caliente in 2024 and VIP this year. Both is a top5 ESC material .

RxLou
RxLou
12 days ago
Reply to  Eve

Truer words never spoken

PhrygesStan
PhrygesStan
13 days ago

Seeing the data, charts etc, I think Melody will take it tonight. Will it be the best choice, not for me, but I can understand the appeal, Divas and Eurovision is a big love story, Esc followers and the casual viewers love to see Divas on the esc stage so Melody wouldn’t be out of place. My only issue is the song which feels dated to me, and the lyrics are not very creative…

RxLou
RxLou
12 days ago
Reply to  PhrygesStan

Yeah… for spanish eurofand and then they flop in actual eurovision cause nobody cares about this divas. Especially not with these dated cookie cutter songs

Paul
Paul
13 days ago

Esa Diva is A LOT! I’m exhausted just watching it

Eproduc
Eproduc
13 days ago
Reply to  Paul

Exactly, while there were elements that could work perfectly at Eurovision, it was way too much all together, one big mess that got me distracted the whole performance. The swing coming down, the dress with the long train, the hat, the outfit reveal, the 180 flip, the dance break, Angelina Mango’s chair… It was like.. uh okay, what’s she gonna do next? When she went to the chair and stooped for that high note – which she totally messed up btw – I thought it looked like she was gonna throw up. The screams that came out of her??? There… Read more »

Eyal
Eyal
13 days ago
Reply to  Eproduc

She is trying too hard. All of the performances actually are very aggressive and give me Javine’s “Touch My Fire” (UK 2005) vibes. Enough with drama Spain, it just looks so cheap.

Dolly
Dolly
13 days ago

Melody is dreadful her voice is screaming and the song sounds like the 80s . Thank god for Spain finishing bottom

Andrew
Andrew
13 days ago
Reply to  Dolly

You’re delightful!

Green
Green
13 days ago

Spain needs to get eva mora Back. I can not comprehend why anyone thought it was a good idea to replace the woman that gave them Chanel and Blanca paloma, with the woman that gave them Say yay, tu cancion and do it for your lover

Catriona
Catriona
13 days ago

Spain in a race to the bottom here. Whatever they select, none of them are on the level of the current 4 ESC songs. Benidorm Fest just isn’t working. And the vocals? When you already have Klavdia, Nina and Beatrice at the contest, it’s just not acceptable.

Davide
Davide
13 days ago
Reply to  Catriona

They are trying too hard, and not my n the good direction

Eproduc
Eproduc
13 days ago

With J Kbello Spain can bring their own Mahmood to the contest, the song and vocals are solid and his energy is fantastic! Also the staging was ON. POINT. So inventive and refreshing!

Eve
Eve
13 days ago
Reply to  Eproduc

Public will love him!

Pauly
Pauly
13 days ago

That’s a big camp chaotic SF there.

JKbello gives us great staging but vocals are mediocre and song is weak. However, I would like to see him winning given that Spain hasn’t given us a male bop since 2004.

Boo
Boo
13 days ago

J Kbello Is the standout here.

Eggboy
Eggboy
13 days ago

J Kbello for the love of all that is good, please win.

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
14 days ago

One of the good things about Esa Diva is that being in Spanish not many people in Europe Will understand the lyrics because they are beyond embarrassing. Whoever wrote that crap cannot be older than 14: “free like a fish in the sea”, “stronger than a hurricane”, “A diva is humble like a mere mortal”.. WTF is this??

Andrew
Andrew
13 days ago
Reply to  Jonkonfui

A literary masterpiece

Héctor
Héctor
13 days ago
Reply to  Jonkonfui

Absolutely, the lyrics are very cringy and the performance too over-the-top and chaotic. I respect her because she is a good artist and appreciate the effort, but I highly dislike her false humility. Like when she speaks you can clearly tells she thinks she’s the greatest but speaks otherwise. I wouldn’t mind her winning if not for the song which is plain bad and old-fashioned. I just hope that, like in past years, the voice of reason ends up prevailing over fanatism. Tanxugueiras, Agoney, Jorge González… all of them were supported by mental fans but failed (I didn’t dislike their… Read more »

BiCHOTA
BiCHOTA
13 days ago
Reply to  Jonkonfui

Joder, ¡esto es arte! *cigarette emojis*

Alessio Gori
Alessio Gori
14 days ago

How Mawot arrive in final? LITERALLY he was the last favourite. Deteresa and Carla Frigo OUT while Mawot Is in the final. That’s RIDICOLOUS. Why juries vote SO BAD?

ocb123
ocb123
13 days ago
Reply to  Alessio Gori

I have to say Mawot’s vocals were great. I thought the song shone, I was surprised. Deteresa and Carla Frigo were compelling studio cuts but the performances felt messy.

Alessio Gori
Alessio Gori
13 days ago
Reply to  ocb123

– 15 likes ahahahah. Mawot has a fandom i think

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
13 days ago
Reply to  Alessio Gori

Yes. Those 15 and that’s it

Bart
Bart
14 days ago

The results of the jury are in both semis same as the final overall results.. like the public had less say in it

Lorena
Lorena
13 days ago
Reply to  Bart

It has indeed less say. In case of draw, it is the jury who decides, according to BF’s rules. And I think this is fine. Both De Teresa and Sonia y Selena had what they needed: a lot of virality, now they can do lots of summer concerts and festivals. But there is no need for them to go to Eurovision nor they have enough quality for that.

Andrew
Andrew
14 days ago

Melody is almost joint first now in the odds. She needs to nail that high note at the end though!

ocb123
ocb123
14 days ago

So disappointed about Celine, La Casa is a great song and really stands out against all the other modern Euro pop stuff. Unfortunately she ruined it with the staging, almost trying to be too Eurovision. She should have made it sexier, stood still (so she could nail her vocal), maybe a band or some Latin dance couples doing their thing.

David
David
14 days ago

Celine and her song La Casa were amazing and she sang it nicely but she did not bring the right energy, outfit or choreography to that very sexy/Latin song

MartyMcCu
MartyMcCu
14 days ago

I have a question for Spanish TV, Did anyone actually listen to the live vocals of each artist before the show?. Seriously they have a well-produced show, the songs, staging, and party vibe are all there. The actual songs are good, but the vocals, oh my! What a let down, very poor, and very painful to listen to. It is as if no one in Spain can sing. You definitely have talented artists but not these ones. From this semi-final, Melody had the best song, but hitting the high notes, my days that was very painful to listen to. Saying… Read more »

Tom
Tom
14 days ago
Reply to  MartyMcCu

100% agree with you but i would say they should look at the songs to be more diverse. How many dance breaks you can have? or how many Na Na Na? Spain will never go anywhere with this approach. All of these songs shouts 0 points for me unfortunately, it’s a shame as it seems they have good budget and show as a production looks great… until someone opens their mouth…

Dolly
Dolly
13 days ago
Reply to  Tom

La la la la la la la la la la la

Ria NL
Ria NL
14 days ago
Reply to  MartyMcCu

I hope that the country will choose Lucas Bun
I love his beautiful song and he is the only one who sings good. I don’t like any of the other songs.

Lorena
Lorena
14 days ago

I don’t like I’m a queen but I am happily surprised with MelOmana, I think she was the best yesterday. Hopefully she will get a better song in the future and can try again.

Jesse O'Rourke
Jesse O'Rourke
14 days ago

J KBello for the win !

Alessio Gori
Alessio Gori
14 days ago

DETERESA ROBBED?. Her esibition was so ICONIC

Jake
Jake
14 days ago

If DeTeresa came in 1st or 2nd with the public and gets eliminated by the jury it’ll be shocking.

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
14 days ago

Melody will avenge Elvana Gjata and Evangelia and I’m here for it. Esa Diva is iconic and she handled the whole performance extremely well.

RxLou
RxLou
12 days ago
Reply to  Eurovision fan

It’s iconic when you’re stuck in 2005

ANDREW BROWN
ANDREW BROWN
14 days ago

I was giving up on Spain until i watched and listened to Jkbello tonight. Good song and watchable performance.

Marseille
Marseille
14 days ago

La Pena and La Casa were the only two songs in this entire selection that didn’t make me cringe, it’s a shame neither qualified. I won’t be tuning in to watch the final and I think Spain will be very embarrassed come May. It’s a guaranteed bottom 5 result with ANY of the remaining songs.

Sognomio
Sognomio
14 days ago
Reply to  Marseille

La casa and La pena…These songs …We did not like them.here un Spain
for us the worst songs this year..that is because We left them.out

Tom
Tom
14 days ago
Reply to  Sognomio

Because you don’t like good things and chose Melody cringe over it

Sognomio
Sognomio
13 days ago
Reply to  Tom

You do not know what i voted

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
14 days ago
Reply to  Sognomio

“We” Who??

Sognomio
Sognomio
13 days ago
Reply to  Jonkonfui

The people that voted

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
13 days ago
Reply to  Sognomio

But La Pena was one of the 4 songs chosen by the public (the “we” you mention in your message)

Damian
Damian
14 days ago

The most absurd thing about this edition is the obsession with props and how they ruined multiple stagings. The Carla Frigo case in particular was criminal. Not a single person in her team said a thing about this being an awful idea?

Stian F
Stian F
14 days ago

Why Melody is in the final I dont understand – the singback was very heavy on that one. Her voice broke down completely at the end, you could hear it break, but i guess it passed everyone by as the singback track was so loud.

Mel Ömana was best tonight.

My presemi fave Carla Frigo was a massive disappointment – didn’t she learn anything from Nebulossas “tacky” staging last year?!?!

LeSerg
LeSerg
14 days ago
Reply to  Stian F

Melody had technical issues, after the dancebreak her in ears fell off and didn’t work. She will be flawless on Saturday night

Stian F
Stian F
14 days ago

Overall much better performances this time around. I just love how well Spain is able to include so many of their traditional styles of songs in their national selection: Flamenco, Paso Doble, Salsa and Reggeaton…no other country will give us this so i am happy we get it through Benidorm fest!

Damian
Damian
14 days ago

Mel Ömana teaching the other contestants how to do a proper staging without abandoning the good vocals. She won’t win, but it was the only entry that knew how to present their product. The rest of entries feel like they prepared their staging ignoring the stage and its different elements.

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
14 days ago

I understand that DeTeresa’s vocals were not good, but last year Nebulossa was jury winner and the vocals were weak. Spain better just try again with internal selection cause I think with the way jury works in this national final it just makes impossible for something risky and different to win. Chanel was exception.

Jake
Jake
14 days ago
Reply to  Eurovision fan

As if this Spanish jury was really worried about vocals with some of the acts they selected

Lorena
Lorena
13 days ago
Reply to  Eurovision fan

But Nebulossa’s song was better and Mery sang better than De Teresa.

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
14 days ago

I really cannot understand the hype about Melody’s performance. She is a good singer but that show was terrible, so tacky, outdated… It felt more parody than DeTeresa’s performance.
Btw really sad for DeTeresa, she was absolutely the BEST show on this year’s BF… By far!

Handmiko
Handmiko
14 days ago
Reply to  Jonkonfui

I respect your opinion, but i am very surprises since I find Deteresa staging soooo tacky myself ! The dress, the faces (licking the mic ??), the moves. I say that while living her song though. Very surprises but I respect (:

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
14 days ago
Reply to  Handmiko

Yes but Deteresa’s was on purpose… Melody was like the intro for a soap opera from Venezuela in the 90s.
Licking the mic was hilarious btw.
You might not understand the lyrics but before doing that she sings something that can be literally translated as “i am going to F**k my sorrow”

Handmiko
Handmiko
14 days ago
Reply to  Jonkonfui

Oh you re right, I understand some lyrics but not this part! Makes a bit of sense then.
And I get your feeling about Melody, but I find it hilarious like.. she is so serious and 1st degree, she IS the over the top Diva without realizing how much of an outdated cliché of a diva she is that i cant help but love the thing haha (and she was one of the few having vocals close to the studio cut)

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
14 days ago
Reply to  Handmiko

And don’t forget that while Melody is on Circus mode she is singing: A diva is humble like a mere mortal.

Amesc
Amesc
14 days ago

OK this could be the final of Benidorm, the staging, THE VOCALS, everything was better. Some eliminated songs really deserved to qualify for Saturday.
Anyway, for me it should be between Melody and JKbello. The first has a suitable song for Eurovision, could really be loved by the fans and she can deliver on stage. The second, for me, has the best staging, a great song and he is the only one that can really support his entry while dancing, being vocally very good.
In any case, can’t wait to see what’s gonna happen on Saturday.
Good luck to everybody!

LeSerg
LeSerg
14 days ago
Reply to  Amesc

Who was vocally very good? J KBello was a disaster vocally, the rest was fine

RxLou
RxLou
12 days ago
Reply to  LeSerg

He is just an inexperienced singer. The vocals can be fixed. Terrible song cannot.
Melody is dated and tacky. Literally no one likes these songs in eurovision anymore.

Brick
Brick
14 days ago

Again the broken voting system that is a fake 50/50 and actually favours the juries a lot more, since they can create bigger gaps between the artists, but the televote gaps are predefined. DeTeresa was robbed. We needed that epic stage show on the final!

PhrygesStan
PhrygesStan
14 days ago

Ok! My Benidorm Fest winner is J Kbello definetely and sad because Henry deserved more love than this. Good luck Spain!

Eve
Eve
14 days ago
Reply to  PhrygesStan

J Kbello will have better result in Basel than any other act from Benidorm fest this year.
I’m rooting for him as well after Henry and David are out.

Jonas
Jonas
14 days ago

Buenas noches a todos, nos vemos pronto…

Leendert Jan
Leendert Jan
14 days ago

Happy that Mel Ömana made it! Mawot is a real surprise. I guess it will be between JKabello and Melody for the win on Saturday.

esc_fl
esc_fl
14 days ago

Not DeTeresa being my favorite lol

Jonas
Jonas
14 days ago

DeTeresa out, shocker

Davide
Davide
14 days ago
Reply to  Jonas

Not really

Elizabeth
Elizabeth
14 days ago

So barring shenanigans, J Kbello, Melody and Mel are in
Deteresa will have to fight Mawot for a spot in the final

Elizabeth
Elizabeth
14 days ago
Reply to  Elizabeth

Come on Deteresa

Elizabeth
Elizabeth
14 days ago
Reply to  Elizabeth

And for the second time the song the Jury favored over the public is the one in the final.

Elizabeth
Elizabeth
14 days ago

Congrats Melody, J Kbelo, Mel and Mawot for the jury nods! Let’s see how the televote went

Andrew
Andrew
14 days ago

Yay Melody

Jonas
Jonas
14 days ago

Oh, that’s Alfred sitting there, I nearly missed him

Andrew
Andrew
14 days ago
Reply to  Jonas

Ahh I thought he looked familiar

Elizabeth
Elizabeth
14 days ago

Ok jury’s top 4 now…

Michael
Michael
14 days ago
  1. Ironically after watching both semis I am now rooting against my 3 pre-contest faves (Lachispa, DeTeresa, Melody) and now rooting for the act with the best song who can actually deliver a solid live vocal performance: Henry Semler – “No lo ves”.
Eve
Eve
14 days ago
Reply to  Michael

This is disquasting how he is not in top 4, that breaks my heart.

Dolly
Dolly
14 days ago

Come on Henry , the Spanish women are to over the top ! it makes me cringe

Jonas
Jonas
14 days ago

I’m ready for the results now, please, thank you and goodnight

Leendert Jan
Leendert Jan
14 days ago

OK give me Isabel Aaiún instead of Melody any day

Jonas
Jonas
14 days ago

Melody is X1000 a better singer than Chanel

Eve
Eve
14 days ago
Reply to  Jonas

But maybe then she shouldn’t dance that much …)

Andrew
Andrew
14 days ago
Reply to  Jonas

Can anyone beat Chanel’s dance break though?

Jonas
Jonas
14 days ago
Reply to  Andrew

Rikki

Andrew
Andrew
14 days ago
Reply to  Jonas

Too soon. It’s still very raw

Jonas
Jonas
14 days ago
Reply to  Andrew

Thoughts and prayerss