David Bisbal Returning to ‘Operación Triunfo’ as a Judge for Spanish Singing Competition’s U.S. Debut
It's a full-circle moment for the Spanish artist who launched his career on the TV show in 2001.
Black News 
David Bisbal will be a judge on Operación Triunfo, set to make its U.S. debut on Telemundo this summer.
Bisbal is the first judge and artist to be revealed, following the announcement of Mexican actress Natalia Téllez as the show’s host. This marks a full-circle moment for the Spanish singer/songwriter, who launched his international career on the first season of Spain’s Operación Triunfo in 2001 as a runner-up to the winner, Rosa López.
“This was where my career began and my life changed forever,” said Bisbal in a press statement. “It is an honor for me to be part of this moment, and I am excited for the opportunity to support, motivate, and witness the musical growth of this new generation of talented artists with big dreams.”
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The celebrated TV talent competition show first aired in Spain in 2001 and follows a group of aspiring singers who coexist in an “academy,” where they receive professional training and compete in weekly competitions.
Now, a new version is coming to the U.S.
“‘Operación Triunfo’ is a format with an incredibly strong legacy and a proven emotional connection with audiences of all ages, particularly younger generations, many of whom were not consuming traditional broadcast television. Over time, it became a true cultural phenomenon in Spain,” Javier Pons, chief content officer & head of Telemundo Studios, previously said to Billboard.
He continued: “The essence of ‘Operación Triunfo’ will remain intact, as it is central to its global success … The magic of [the reality show] lies in the fact that it transcends a traditional singing competition, emerging instead as a true platform for transformation”.
News of Bisbal as judge comes on the heels of the artist announcing his Eternos Tour, which will kick off Dec. 9 at The Wiltern in Los Angeles and wrap Dec. 19 at the James L. Knight Center in Miami.
