From Benidorm to Eurovision 2025: Melody will represent Spain with "Esa diva"

Spain is officially ready for Eurovision 2025 as the country's national selection contest, Benidorm Fest, has just come to an end.

The country's effort in creating a big brand for their national selection competition continues to grow more and more, and after intense weeks of rehearsals, press conferences, events and celebrations, the nation has decided.

Melody and the song "Esa diva" will represent Spain in Eurovision 2025 to be held in Basel, and hopefully get back to 2022's triumphant results with Chanel's "SloMo."

"Esa diva" was written by Alberto Fuentes Lorite and Melodia Ruiz Gutiérrez.

Tonight's show was broadcast live from Palau Municipal d'Esports l'Illa de Benidorm and hosted by the femme fatales Ruth Lorenzo (Spain 2014), Paula Vázquez, and Inés Hernand. Several acts served as interval performers such as last year's winners Nebulossa and Rigoberta Bandini (Benidorm Fest 2022).

Unlike previous editions, the Final only featured the jury vote as well as the televote, each worth 50%.

Melody

Melodía Ruiz Gutiérrez (34), known as Melody, is a Spanish singer born in the '90s in Dos Hermanas.

She rose to fame at the age of 10 thanks to her song "El baile del gorila," which became one of the biggest summer hits back in 2001. Since then, the Spanish singer has released six studio albums and many singles.

Her music ties come from her family's influence. Melody says she learned how to sing before she could actually speak. Once she showed her passion for music her father got in touch with a producer who was impressed and got Melody to release her first studio album through Sony Music Spain, "De Pata Negra."

In 2009 Melody attempted to go to Eurovision but ended up as the runner-up. This was her second attempt and was clearly a successful one.

Benidorm Fest 2025

Spain used its national selection competition in order to select their 2025 Eurovision representative, the Benidorm Fest. This year marked its fourth edition and featured a similar format to previous years with slight changes in the voting process as more power was given to the audience at home.

The jury panel remained with a decision power of 50% and featured:

• Roberto Santamaría (director of Radio Nacional de España);
• Javier Llano (head of music programming at a radio channel);
• Jaime Acero (content director at TelevisaUnivision);
• Claudia Orellana (director and founder of a music talent management company);
• Oksana Skybinska (head of the Ukrainian delegation);
• Maja Tokic (executive producer of Dora);
• Twan van de Nieuwenhuijzen (previous head of the Dutch delegation);
• Mariangela Borneo (director of international projects and festivals at RAI).

Former Eurovision star Ruth Lorenzo (Spain 2014) hosted the show along with other TV presenters, Paula Vázquez, and Inés Hernand.

Two Semi-finals and a Final took place in the Palau Municipal d'Esports l'Illa de Benidorm:

• 28 January 2025: Semi-final 1
• 30 January 2025: Semi-final 2
• 1 February 2025: Final

Spain in Eurovision

Spain has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 63 times since their debut in 1961. They have won twice: in 1968 (La, La, La...) and the following year, 1969 (Vivo Cantando).

Spain is a member of the "Big-5," which means they don't have to go through the Semi-final round and are automatically qualified for the Grand Final. Spain is also a member of "club zero" because they have managed to get zero points 3 times. They have finished in last place 5 times in Eurovision history, the latest coming in 2017.

Spain's best-known song is probably "Eres Tú" from Eurovision 1973 (2nd place, only four points away from victory).