Rodolfo Chikilicuatre

Rodolfo Chikilicuatre is a comedic character portrayed by Spanish actor and comedian David Fernández Ortiz, born on June 24, 1970, in Igualada, Barcelona, Spain. 

The character of Rodolfo Chikilicuatre was introduced on the Spanish late-night show “Buenafuente” as an improvisational act. Initially, Rodolfo appeared as the inventor of a “vibrator-guitar,” a humorous concept that resonated with the audience. The show’s host, Andreu Buenafuente, later presented Rodolfo performing “Baila el Chiki-chiki,” a parody reggaeton song filled with jokes and political references. The character’s quirky appearance—featuring a pronounced wig and oversized glasses—along with his comedic performance, quickly captured public attention.

In 2008, Spain’s national broadcaster RTVE collaborated with MySpace to democratize the selection process for the country’s Eurovision entry. Artists could submit their songs online, and the public, along with a professional jury, voted to choose the representative. “Baila el Chiki-chiki,” heavily promoted by “Buenafuente” and La Sexta television channel, emerged as a favorite, securing 56.28% of the votes in the national selection. Despite debates about the song’s comedic nature, RTVE upheld the public’s choice.

For the Eurovision performance in Belgrade, Serbia, the song’s lyrics were modified to comply with contest rules, removing explicit political references and adding English verses. Rodolfo Chikilicuatre’s act, accompanied by his signature toy guitar and backup dancers, finished 16th in the final, earning 55 points. 

Following the Eurovision experience, David Fernández decided to retire the Rodolfo Chikilicuatre character. On June 5, 2008, during the “Buenafuente” show, Rodolfo announced his official withdrawal from the music scene. Despite this, the character made occasional appearances in various shows until 2017, often revisiting “Baila el Chiki-chiki” and supporting subsequent Spanish Eurovision representatives. David Fernández continued his career in entertainment, participating in television programs, films, and theater productions.