It could mean waiting just twenty seconds in front of a jury after more than seven hours of waiting a life-changing moment. From an unknown artist to a dazzling career, this is how long it takes to sing a verse and chorus that could unlock a new music path. This is what happened when 84 people were selected in the final cast of the new edition of Operación Triunfo 2023, chosen from more than 3,048 offered.
Legendary talent shows are returning to screens, this time on Amazon Prime. The twelfth edition marks a new era. Since the competition is published on a digital platform, it can be seen in more than 30 countries, allowing the voices of the artists chosen for the new academy to be heard beyond Spain. More than 13,000 people participated in the initial elections, with 10,000 attending events in nine Spanish cities in the last edition in 2020.
Madrid served as the final stop for these castings. Last Thursday, the attendance record in the capital was broken, attracting the city with the most applications. A total of 3,048 people attended the event, with a small fraction—0.43 percent—advancing to the second stage. Among those who received the famous “sticker” granting progression and hope, only 13 would secure one of the academy places after the final casting, scheduled to take place in Barcelona from October 2 to 4.
Among the more than 3,000 interested participants, one hopeful stood out for deciding to leave daily life behind and travel to Madrid to join the cast. Many entrants had dreamed of becoming singers since childhood, and Operación Triunfo presented the perfect chance to turn that dream into reality. From the moment the new edition and its cast were announced, commitment to the goal was unwavering.
Perfect song at the right time
Nerves, excitement, and energy overwhelmed the participants from the start. The moment of choosing a song is crucial and can set the tone for the entire audition. This edition added a twist: the organizers provided a list of 50 songs to choose from, which could both help and constrain expressive possibilities. The goal was to select a piece that could reveal the singer’s authentic voice. In this case, the chosen song was Someone You Love, written by Lewis Capaldi. The limited options, however, can curtail the chance to fully showcase individuality.
The next step was the casting itself. Madrid, as the last city to host tests, drew a large queue early in the morning to ensure a spot. The Casa de Campo Satellite Pavilion became the testing hub, and the scene was busier than expected. The queue wound around the mansion, signaling the long wait ahead for a brief moment of opportunity.
Expectations were high. The first few hopefuls began arriving in the early hours, setting the pace for a demanding day. The reality was that some waited through the night while others faced a late arrival, underscoring the unpredictable nature of audition days.
Don’t wait for hours
“This is the last, very last opportunity to enter,” a fellow participant remarked upon arrival. That city was indeed the final stop for Operación Triunfo in this cycle. After advancing through multiple rounds and seeing entrants from cities like Barcelona, Zaragoza, and Málaga, the window to join the academy narrowed to a final, climactic moment. For some, Madrid offered the last chance in this edition to chase a lifelong ambition. Personal stories varied, with some arriving after earlier attempts elsewhere and choosing a fresh chance in the capital. The dream persisted, and the decision to participate remained resolute.
Hours of waiting also bred new connections and stories. A participant named Iris Penche shared that the process felt like a springboard for a serious music career. Her conviction about perseverance—knocking on every door until one opens—embodies the spirit of many performers who try again in new locations, hoping for a breakthrough that sticks.
Nerves and more nerves
As the queue grew longer, nerves intensified. The mind wandered through possibilities and the slim odds of catching the judges’ attention in a few moments of singing. The surrounding voices, the cheers, and the competing talents all created a high-pressure atmosphere. Yet determination persisted, fueled by the belief that this could be a pivotal step toward a professional music path.
Hours stretched to four, five, six, and even seven as contestants waited for a twenty-second chance to sing their chosen song. Entering the pavilion brought a rush of realization—the space, the cameras, the judges, and the pressure all converging in a single moment. The four jury members, plus the academy director Noemi Galera, sat ready to evaluate, though the exact reaction of any one juror remained unpredictable. The focus was on delivering a compelling performance in those few seconds, knowing that the result would hinge on that limited time.
With less than ten minutes remaining, the nerves intensified. A deep breath, a quick skim of lyrics, a practiced hum, then one more breath before stepping forward became the ritual. The singer stood ready, microphone in hand, eyes fixed on the judges. The moment arrived, and the performance began with a surge of energy and emotion, even as three other participants sang in tandem around the same moment—the competition’s intensity in full view.
During those twenty seconds, the performer gave everything—crafted to the tune and cadence rehearsed for months. Yet the verdict came: the response was a simple, polite thank you and a smile. The realization sank in that the distinctive traits sought by the judges were not found that day, and the seven-hour journey concluded with the end of the audition round for that hopeful.
In the end, the experience underscored the demanding nature of such talent hunts. The stories, the nerves, and the shared drive to perform at a national level endure as hallmarks of Operación Triunfo’s ongoing appeal among aspiring singers in Spain and beyond.