Chanel Terrero shines as Eurovision drama unfolds across Europe
The Eurovision finale sparked a wildfire of social media praise across Spain and beyond, with hundreds of posts celebrating Chanel Terrero as the event’s standout moment. The phrase Chanelazo and the chorus of Bravo Chanel flooded timelines, while many observers hailed Terrero as a moral victor even before the final results were announced. In the end, Chanel Terrero secured third place with 459 points, trailing only the UK’s Sam Ryder with 466 and the victorious Ukraine entry with 631, a result that still left millions of Spaniards proud of a strong performance by the artist and her team.
Four months earlier, the mood surrounding Chanel Terrero could hardly have been more unsettled. The Benidorm Festival triumph had unleashed a fierce ethical and political conversation in Spain, culminating in a debate at the Congress of Deputies about the fairness and implications of the outcome. Followers of the contest expressed strong opinions, with some suggesting that other contenders, like the Galician group Tanxugueiras, deserved the victory more. Hateful messages and direct threats toward Terrero accompanied the online discourse, reflecting a tense climate that risked overshadowing the achievement.
Is this the same artist with the same song and a nearly identical scene? What changed?
On the night following the votes, the narrative around Chanel Terrero shifted dramatically. Critics who had attacked her performance at one moment offered praise the next, while others rode the wave of success with enthusiasm. Introduced to the public four months earlier, the act had built a following that applauded both the artistry and the showmanship. But where did the change come from?
The Eurovision broadcast drew a large audience, with millions tuning in. The Spanish act delivered a technically polished performance led by Terrero and a dedicated team, including Exo Narco, Josh Huerta, Pol Soto, Raquel Caurin, and Maria Perez. The staging, closely echoing the Benidorm Fest presentation, incorporated a few new choreographic, vocal, and interpretive touches that heightened the impact. The production leaned into familiar Spanish motifs tied to bullfighting, flamenco, and the passionate fans, elements that resonated with viewers across Europe. This approach echoes earlier Eurovision history, such as the 2004 victory by Maria Isabel, which also fused a Spanish cultural identity with a vibrant stage presence and broad audience appeal.
That night carried a heavier context as well. The war in Ukraine cast a long shadow over the competition, influencing voting patterns and public sentiment. Ukraine received strong support from both the public jury and viewers who had followed the ongoing conflict, while many voters also considered the humanitarian dimension of the situation, including the displacement of Ukrainian citizens who found their way to safety elsewhere. The emotional climate amplified the resonance of Ukraine’s win and underscored the contest’s role as a cultural response to real-world events.
Reflecting on the broader history of Eurovision, the event has repeatedly evolved with the times. In 1993, the contest faced geopolitical turmoil as the Balkan conflicts emerged, and Bosnia and Herzegovina made its debut at the festival. That year tested the power of professional juries and the dynamics of audience engagement in a changing Europe. The 2023 edition, by contrast, showcased how a country might address its future hosting responsibilities amid uncertainty about Ukraine’s ability to stage the event next year. As the RTVE communications and engagement director noted, there was a genuine eagerness to host again, with the possibility that Spain could welcome Europe to Madrid years after Massiel’s earlier triumph. Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, expressed a different wish, hoping that the devastated city of Mariupol would host Eurovision 2023 as a symbol of resilience and peace.
Overall, the night stood as a moment of history for Spain while maintaining the contest’s global civic spirit. It underscored how Eurovision can blend national storytelling with universal themes, allowing audiences to celebrate both local artistry and shared values on the European stage. This dynamic remains a reminder of how music events can reflect broader social currents and help nations express unity in times of challenge.