Some participants in the OT 2023 edition arrived on the talent show scene long before their musical talents became the focal point of attention. The audience who followed the competition from its earliest days knew about Juanjo well, yet Lucas remained less visible to most viewers. Earlier this week, Lucas spoke up during a breakfast gathering at the Academy, choosing to share a candid moment about a professional crossroads he faced. While seated with fellow grateful performers — among them Paul, Álvaro Mayo, Bea, Chris, and Ruslana — he explained the decision that shaped his current path in the music world.
According to the singer, the opportunity to compete in the Benidorm Festival came up during the month he was in limbo at the Academy. He describes turning it down because the moment felt overwhelming. Lucas emphasized that the TVE music competition represents a singular chance, a one-off possibility rather than an ongoing invitation that could blur with other projects. In his words, if Benidorm Fest is offered, it should be about Benidorm Fest itself, not mixed with the framework of Operación Triunfo.
The tension between personal goals and the broader publicity machine is not new in this environment, and this edition of OT 2023 has highlighted contrasting career approaches. In another part of the show’s orbit, the search for new musical voices continues to unfold in parallel with established actors of the industry. Earlier in the season, Xeinn — who became a finalist in the first Benidorm Fest — entered the final stages of auditions for a Prime Video musical talent program. The arc for Xeinn reads like a modern talent saga: an artist who has already earned a place in the public imagination navigating an additional platform that could expand their reach beyond traditional television formats.
In the final lineup, the Eco-singer delivered performances of contemporary favorites, including her own versions of Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers” and Rosalia’s “Fame” as well as The Weeknd. The evaluators weighed her raw artistry and adaptability under pressure, but the ultimate decision did not place her inside the OT 2023 Academy. The experience nonetheless underscores how the competitive landscape evolves, with artists simultaneously courting multiple doors to broader audiences and different kinds of recognition.
Across the table at the Academy, conversations like these reveal a larger pattern: aspiring stars must balance the lure of immediate national exposure with longer-term artistic trajectories. The decision to pass on a single festival or a potential cross-platform opportunity does not signal a rejection of talent; rather, it signals a deliberate choice about timing, branding, and the kinds of platforms that align with each artist’s vision. In this ever-shifting ecosystem, the voices that resonate are those that speak clearly about where they want to be, and when they want to be there.
For fans and observers, the narratives around Lucas, Juanjo, Xeinn, and other contenders offer a portrait of a generation of performers who view television competitions as stepping stones rather than final destinations. The choice between embracing a one-time chance at a festival and pursuing a broader, more lasting artistic identity is a decision that many future stars will face. In the end, the stories from OT 2023 reflect the reality that a career in music often requires choosing between competing opportunities, each with its own tempo and spotlight, and that every decision helps define an artist’s voice in a crowded, competitive field.