Rosa

Rosa María López Cortés, known simply as Rosa López, is a Spanish singer who rose to national fame after winning the first season of the reality TV talent show Operación Triunfo in 2001. In 2002, she represented Spain at the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Europe’s Living a Celebration”. Often affectionately called “Rosa de España” (Rose of Spain) for her broad popular appeal, López has remained a prominent figure in Spanish pop music.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Rosa López was born on January 14, 1981, in Peñuelas, Láchar, a village in the province of Granada, Andalusia. She grew up in a humble family with three brothers. From an early age, López showed musical talent and a love for singing. She began performing as a child, singing at local weddings, baptisms, and community celebrations around Granada. In her teens, Rosa became the lead vocalist for several local orchestras and even formed a small band called “Trío Roxa” with her brother, playing popular songs at venues in the Granada area. 

Breakthrough on Operación Triunfo

In September 2001, at age 20, Rosa auditioned for the debut season of TVE’s new reality competition “Operación Triunfo” (similar to Star Academy). She earned a spot in the show’s academy and quickly became a fan favorite. On February 11, 2002, Rosa López won the Operación Triunfo final with 26.6% of the public vote. Nearly 11 million viewers tuned in (almost 59% of the TV audience) to see her victory. As the winner, López earned a recording contract and the chance to represent Spain at Eurovision. Immediately after the show, she joined the rest of the OT finalists on a sold-out nationwide victory tour, performing in arenas like Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona and even filling Real Madrid’s Bernabéu stadium.

Eurovision 2002 and International Spotlight

Winning Operación Triunfo also meant Rosa López would be Spain’s entrant for the Eurovision Song Contest 2002. In a special selection episode among the show’s finalists, the audience chose Rosa to sing “Europe’s Living a Celebration” in Tallinn, Estonia, for Eurovision. The song was an upbeat, joyful pop tune that matched Rosa’s energetic style and optimism. She took to the Eurovision stage accompanied by several of her Operación Triunfo co-stars as backing vocalists. Leading up to the contest, Spanish media hyped Rosa as a potential winner, and betting odds ranked Spain among the favorites.

Ultimately, Rosa finished 7th out of 24 countries with 81 points. In Spain, an astonishing 14.3 million people (over 85% of TV viewers that night) watched her sing on live television. This made it the most-watched TV program in Spanish history at that time, a record that stood for years. The next day, Rosa’s performance dominated the front pages of Spanish newspapers. Many Spaniards felt collective pride, even if a few were disappointed she didn’t place higher. The Spanish broadcaster TVE even suggested changes to the Eurovision voting system after seeing the massive public investment in the outcome.

Musical Career Highlights

After Eurovision, Rosa López wasted no time capitalizing on her momentum. In April 2002 she released her debut album, simply titled Rosa, under Sony BMG/Vale Music. The album was a smash hit in Spain. It sold over 500,000 copies (5× Platinum) and shot to #1 on the charts. It featured her Eurovision song “Europe’s Living a Celebration,” which became a nationwide summer anthem and reached #1 on Los 40 Principales radio chart. The album’s success made Rosa the best-selling new Spanish artist of 2002. Following an intensive promotional tour, she took a brief hiatus in late 2002 to rest her voice.

López returned in October 2003 with her second studio album Ahora (“Now”), embracing a dance-pop style. This sophomore album also topped the Spanish charts and earned 2× Platinum status, selling about 200,000 copies. Its lead single “La Esencia de Tu Voz” became a radio hit, showing Rosa’s ability to deliver pop ballads as well as upbeat tunes.

In late 2004, she released Ojalá, a Christmas-themed album as a special gift to her fans. By this time López had proven her staying power beyond the TV contest, conducting successful concert tours around Spain and even doing promo abroad, such as a media tour in Latin America.

Transformation

In 2006, Rosa embarked on a significant personal and artistic transformation. She reappeared with a fresh image, having lost over 40 kg (88 lbs) and gaining new confidence. That year she released her fourth album, Me Siento Viva (“I Feel Alive”), which showcased a more modern dance-pop sound and up-tempo beats. The album went Gold in Spain and was later voted Album of the Year on TVE’s annual music special. Rosa toured extensively in 2006, and her dynamic performances drew large crowds. Over the next few years López continued to evolve musically, trying new genres and collaborations. In 2008 she released Promesas, a collection of classic pop-rock covers, and in 2009 Propiedad de Nadie, an album of original songs written by renowned Spanish songwriter José Luis Perales. Both records achieved Gold certification, further solidifying her career.

Rosa López remained active into the 2010s and beyond. In 2012 she signed with Universal Music and released another self-titled album, Rosa López, marking a return to her dance-pop roots. The lead single was a cover of Mari Trini’s “Yo No Soy Esa,” which introduced Rosa’s voice to a new generation. She then embarked on an extensive theater tour across Spain, performing over 40 concerts through 2013.

Soy Rosa

In 2017, Rosa launched her eighth studio album, Kairós, preceded by the empowering single “Ahora Pienso en Mí” (“Now I Think of Myself”). The album release coincided with her own six-episode reality series Soy Rosa (“I Am Rosa”). It gave viewers a behind-the-scenes look at her life and creative process. Demonstrating her enduring popularity, Kairós reached #2 on the Spanish charts in 2017 and put her back on national radio playlists. Rosa López has continued to record new music in recent years. In 2023 she released an album titled “Señales,” a compilation of singles from the previous four years. 

Television and Media Appearances

Beyond her recording career, Rosa López has been a frequent and beloved presence on Spanish television. In early 2006, she took part in Mira Quién Baila, Spain’s version of Strictly Come Dancing, at a time when she was unveiling her new physical transformation. Her dance routines and charisma impressed both judges and viewers. Rosa won the competition, becoming champion of the show’s third season with 62% of the popular vote. This victory further endeared her to the public, showing she was not only a singer but also an entertainer with versatility. She even returned for a special Mira Quién Baila champions episode in 2008 and won that as well.

López has also appeared in other TV contests and specials. In 2015, she participated in Hit – La Canción, a songwriter-focused reality show on TVE. Rosa performed a ballad called “Me Da Igual,” which the audience voted as the winning song of the season. The single was released commercially and reached #11 on the Spanish charts, demonstrating her continued relevance in the music scene. That same year, Rosa was invited to perform in the Eurovision Song Contest’s 60th Anniversary gala (Eurovision’s Greatest Hits) in London, where she shared the stage with past Eurovision stars. She performed a medley of Eurovision classics as well as her own, representing Spain’s Eurovision legacy to an international audience.

Tu Cara Me Suena and OT: El Reencuentro

In 2016, Rosa joined the popular celebrity impersonation show Tu Cara Me Suena (“Your Face Sounds Familiar”) on Antena 3. Week after week she wowed viewers with live tributes to iconic artists, showcasing her vocal range and stage flair. Her performances as artists like Cher and Gloria Estefan were fan favorites. In the season finale in March 2017, Rosa finished as the runner-up of the series (taking second place overall). Also in late 2016, she reunited with her old Operación Triunfo classmates for a televised 15th anniversary special, OT: El Reencuentro. The program featured documentary-style episodes and a grand reunion concert, which drew over 4 million viewers.

Rosa’s own life became the subject of television as well. In 2017, alongside the release of Kairós, she starred in her own reality mini-series Soy Rosa (aired on TEN TV). The show followed her daily life and behind-the-scenes moments as she prepared her new album, giving fans an intimate glimpse of her world. Throughout all these media ventures, Rosa López has maintained a down-to-earth and cheerful image, which is why she continues to be invited to participate in entertainment programs. From talk shows and game shows to charity telethons, she consistently lights up the screen with her positive energy. Her enduring TV presence has helped new generations of Spaniards get to know “Rosa de España,” well beyond her initial talent-show fame.

Awards, Recognition and Legacy

Over the course of her career, Rosa López has earned numerous awards and honors that reflect her impact on Spanish pop culture. In 2002, after her Eurovision success, the government of Andalusia awarded her the region’s Medalla de Andalucía (Andalusian Medal) to recognize her cultural contributions. Years later in 2010, she was further honored with the Andalusian Flag Award, another prestigious regional distinction. Rosa also received the Gold Medal of the city of Armilla (the town in Granada where she spent part of her youth) as a hometown recognition of her achievements.

Within the music industry, she was acknowledged early on with the 2003 Premio Dial for being one of the year’s top Spanish pop artists. In 2006, she was presented with an Antena de Oro (Golden Antenna Award) for her outstanding work in music and media. That same year, her album Me Siento Viva won TVE’s public vote for Disco del Año (Album of the Year). That underlined her popularity with listeners. These awards illustrate how Rosa’s talent and charm have been celebrated by both the public and industry professionals.

Gold and Platinum

Commercially, Rosa López’s success is equally impressive. She has sold over 1 million records in Spain to date. Her releases have earned a total of 7 Platinum records and 4 Gold records. Her debut album alone accounted for five of those Platinum certifications, and several later albums achieved Gold status.