Rigoberta Bandini Chanel, the Catalan singer known for her bold stage presence, reflected on the Benidorm Fest experience with a sense of relief rather than disappointment about not becoming the Spanish Eurovision representative. In an interview with the independent music outlet Jenesaispop, she opened up about how the Alicante competition felt from her side of the curtain and what it meant for her career trajectory.
She described the event as intensely felt and recalled that on the outside she appeared more combative, yet the atmosphere among the groups was surprisingly cordial. The contest left a lasting impact on her project, and she acknowledged some initial reservations about recommending it to emerging artists, even as she admitted that the thrill of the moment was real and hard to shake.
Pros and cons of Benidorm Fest
Her experience highlighted both the pressures and the opportunities. The media spotlight can compress rehearsal time and flood artists with endless feedback at all hours. The constant push to revise ideas can feel relentless, and the whole process can be a heavy load to carry day after day.
On the flip side, she noted that the festival serves as a gateway into the public imagination. There is a unique chance to connect directly with a broad audience, standing on a stage that makes a lasting impression. She lightheartedly suggested that a little anxiety can be expected and even joked about taking a diazepam before stepping into Benidorm Fest, though she remains curious about what this year will bring.
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Paula Ribó spoke of relief when she learned that Rigoberta Bandini would not continue to Eurovision duties. If Benidorm had already overwhelmed her, the prospect of a May reveal felt manageable. It was a weight lifted in many ways, and she could imagine setting new plans into motion without that looming obligation.
The Barcelona-based vocalist and composer hinted at stepping back for a real pause. Her calendar for 2023 could become blank for a moment as she recalibrates and ponders the next movements for February. She also hinted at a readiness to create anew, with her iconic song as a compass for whatever comes next, and she emphasized a desire to observe current happenings with honest curiosity.
end of a stage
In her words, the tour marks the closing of a chapter, a necessary transition that feels both sad and essential. She described a strong need to pause, not to stop permanently but to step outside the noise and reconnect with the core of her craft. The aim is to return with renewed energy, to create movements that resonate more deeply than ever before, and to return to the heart of her music as a creator known for her anthem “Oh mom” now reinterpreted as a broader Spanish musical presence.
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Source quotes and reflections on the matter have circulated from interviews with Jenesaispop, which provide context for how the artist views her evolving path and the balance between public performance and private development.