Spanish singer David Bisbal returned to the Operacion Triunfo stage on Monday night, performing during the final gala of the talent show's American edition.
The performance, which featured Bisbal singing the Jose Jose classic El amar y el querer, served as a new preview for his upcoming studio album Eternos, scheduled for release on October 2, 2026.
The show marked a complete circle for the artist 25 years after he first appeared as a contestant on the original Spanish edition of Operacion Triunfo in October 2001. Bisbal served as a member of the judging panel on the debut American edition, which was filmed in Colombia over the summer months.
Operacion Triunfo is a premier television music competition created in Spain to launch aspiring singers. Bisbal, who originated from Almeria, Spain, rose to national prominence on the show's first season and has since built a career spanning 25 years as one of the most influential figures in music in Spanish.
Tribute to Latin music legends
Appearing confident in a formal outfit designed for his current artistic era, Bisbal received a standing ovation from both the live audience and the show's contestants. Throughout the season, he offered guidance and mentorship to the competitors based on his extensive industry experience.
The rendition of El amar y el querer forms part of Bisbal's broader project paying tribute to iconic vocalists in Spanish. Jose Jose, the late Mexican singer known as El Principe de la Cancion, originally popularised the romantic track across the Spanish-speaking world.
The appearance coincides with the 25th anniversary of Bisbal's musical debut. Should an official anniversary event take place on the exact date of his 2001 television premiere, the singer is expected to be absent due to previously scheduled concert dates across the Americas to support his new album.
Magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Colombia
Prior to the final broadcast, Bisbal experienced a major natural disaster while staying at his hotel in Bogota, Colombia. On Monday afternoon, the singer posted a video on Instagram showing furniture shaking inside his room as a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the country.
The powerful seismic event has claimed more than 110 lives in South America. Bisbal had previously shared photographs of himself spending time with his family in Colombia during break periods from the show's summer production schedule.
Account of the tremors in Bogota
Following the conclusion of the final gala, Bisbal recorded a video message to his followers explaining what had happened. He said that waking up to the intense shaking in Bogota that morning had created initial panic, but the tremor subsided after approximately one minute.
Bisbal added that emergency protocol alarms began sounding from nearby buildings shortly after the quake ended. He noted that while Bogota escaped serious damage, the natural disaster caused heavy destruction in Cali and several interior provinces where the shaking was particularly severe.
Pledge of support for earthquake victims
Before closing his recording, the singer offered his support to those impacted by the tragedy, sending his thoughts and affection to families affected by the disaster. He stated that everyone was watching the situation with heavy hearts and committed to using his platform to share updates regarding relief efforts and aid distribution.
The public gesture reflects Bisbal's long history of using his public reach and social media channels to assist humanitarian relief efforts during major natural disasters.
