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Blanca Paloma wins Benidorm Fest and will represent Spain in Eurovision 2023
The singer from Alicante will head to Liverpool for the international song contest in May
After a week-long Benidorm Fest 2023 in which hopefuls sang their hearts out to represent Spain in this year's Eurovision Song Contest, Alicante-born singer Blanca Paloma came out on top with her song 'Eaea'.
The grand final was broadcast live by Spanish TV channel RTVE and was the most watched 'prime time' programme, with 1.9 million viewers tuning in on Saturday evening, bagging a 15% share of the total audience. The final became a trending topic nationwide and worldwide, with more than 5.2 million watching Benidorm Fest 2023 at some point of the contest.
And Benidorm's Municipal Palau d'Esports was again packed to capacity with fans and national and international media, building on the success of last year's debut Benidorm Fest 2022, won by Chanel who went on to take third spot for Spain with 'SloMo' a raunchy, flamenco-inspired reggaeton hit.
This year's hopeful, Paloma, 33, made her solo breakthrough last year, and already has three singles to her name.
She was one of eight contestants to make it to the grand final and will head to Liverpool to represent her country at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in May. The other finalists were: Karmento with 'Quiero y duelo'; Megara with 'Arcadia'; Alice Wonder (Yo quiseria); Fusa Nocta (Mi familia); Agoney (Quiero arder); José Otero (Inviernos en Marte); and Vicco (Nochentera).
Blanca Paloma (@BlancaPaloma_rb) vuela a Liverpool con “Eaea”. ðŸ•Šï¸ #BenidormFest2023 #BenidormFest https://t.co/zkRFuDkMRR pic.twitter.com/5IubL0ojk3
— Eurovisión RTVE (@eurovision_tve) February 4, 2023
The votes of a professional jury, which included singer and TV producer Christer Björkman who represented Sweden in 1992 and Nina, Spain's representative in 1989, accounted for 50% of the final decision, the audience votes were worth 25% and televotes the remaining quarter.
Spain has competed in Eurovision 61 times since its debut in 1961, and has won twice: in 1968 (La, La, La...) and the following year (Vivo Cantando).
And this year, because it's a member of the 'Big-5' having come 3rd last year, Spain doesn't have to go through the semi-final round and automatically qualifies for the Grand Final.
On the flip side, Spain is also a member of 'club zero' having achieved 'nil poi' three times, and has finished in last place five times in Eurovision history, most recently in 2017.
Image: eurovision.tv
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