At the age of 10, Melody became a precocious phenomenon in Spanish pop with “El Baile del Gorila,” the lead single from her album De Pata Negra, which led her to embark on an international tour. Twenty-four years later, the singer and songwriter is facing the challenge of representing Spain at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, which will be held on May 17 in Basel, Switzerland.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
The song she will perform is “Esa Diva,” a pop track that’s both a vocal challenge and a manifesto of empowerment. “A diva is brave, powerful/ Her life is a garden full of thorns and roses/ She rises up dancing/ Stronger than a hurricane,” goes part of the chorus, in Spanish. With an intense performance and dynamic staging, Melody is aiming for more than just a show — a story with purpose and soul.
“I didn’t want to go with an empty dance song. I wanted it to have a message, strength, to speak about something that happens to all of us,” the artist explains in an interview with Billboard Español.
The song has been widely embraced since its debut at the Benidorm Fest, evolving with new versions. The original was co-written by Melody and Alberto Fuentes Lorite and produced by Joy Deb, Peter Boström, and Thomas G:son. On March 13, a symphonic version was released, arranged by Borja Arias and performed by Melody alongside the RTVE Orchestra and Choir, adding a more cinematic and emotional dimension to the track.
“I wanted to show it in a different way. I’m a fan of soundtracks, and this song called for an orchestral treatment,” Melody says. “If a rhythmic song works as a ballad, it’s a great song.”
Beyond the music, “Esa Diva” has become a symbol. “The diva isn’t just the one who shines on stage –she’s the one who fights, the one who falls and gets back up. The one who supports other women. The one who is strong, but also humble,” Melody notes. And many people have found comfort and inspiration in this message. One of the anecdotes that has moved her most is about a young woman undergoing cancer treatment who listens to the song daily to gather strength.
Although this is not the first time Melody has tried to represent Spain at Eurovision — she did so in 2009 with “Amante de la Luna” — she feels that now is the right time. “If I didn’t do it now, I was never going to do it. It was the moment,” she adds. “I feel it, and I’m enjoying it like never before.”
Her victory at Benidorm Fest 2025 confirms this: She was the audience favorite, earning first place in the tele-vote with a solid 39%. Although the jury placed her third, the combination of both votes secured her direct pass to Eurovision.
With six albums released, tours across Latin America and roles in series like Cuéntame Cómo Pasó and Arde Madrid, the singer and actress has navigated genres and formats with ease. “It’s been many years. And here we are, with a good attitude, eager to sing and keep making the audience happy. What more could you ask for?” the performer of “Parapapá” and “Rúmbame” says with a laugh.
Meanwhile, she continues to bring her music across Europe as part of her pre-Eurovision tour, TheDIVAXperience. In recent days, she has performed in Amsterdam and London, presenting the new version of “Esa Diva” to specialized media and Eurovision fans. On April 7, the artist was welcomed in Dos Hermanas, her hometown, where she performed the song from the balcony of City Hall before a crowd. “The love from my hometown moves me. When you’re recognized at home, it feels different,” she says.
This week, she will participate in the PrePartyES in Madrid (April 18-19), where she will share the stage with representatives from various European delegations. Then, on April 23, she will headline a special farewell event organized by RTVE at Teatro Barceló before heading to Basel for the contest.
The staging for Eurovision promises a significant evolution compared to what was seen at the Benidorm Fest. Melody has indicated that the set design will include new visual and choreographic elements, aiming to make the most of the technical possibilities of the stage. “There will be new ingredients. It won’t just be a song; it’s a story I want to tell,” she says, making it clear that her proposal seeks to move audiences beyond the visual spectacle.
Recently becoming a mother, Melody, an independent artist and an advocate for meaningful lyrics, acknowledges that balancing it all is not easy: “I organize myself however I can. But my son recharges my batteries, and when I need grounding, I go back home.” Participating in Eurovision involves much more than stepping onto a big stage — it means enduring a level of media exposure, artistic pressure, and public scrutiny that is hard to match.
Regarding the flood of opinions surrounding this experience, Melody maintains a firm stance. “I value constructive criticism; there’s always room to learn. But destructive criticism doesn’t affect me. I’m not driven by that. I sing from the heart, and that’s why I’m here,” she says.
Her approach is not casual. Eurovision generates a massive volume of social media conversations every year, with millions of interactions, according to data from the EBU (European Broadcasting Union). The contest’s global audience exceeds 160 million viewers across its three shows, making it one of the most-watched musical events in the world. For any artist, the exposure is as immense as the challenge.
After the festival, Melody already has plans: a new single, a tour across Spain and a strong desire to reconnect with her Latin American audience. “I’ve always felt so much love from Latin America,” she says. “This is a new chapter, and I’m thrilled to bring my music there again. They’re so heartfelt, so close. I want to dance and enjoy together.”
