Samantha Gilabert

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Gilabert and the second or maternal family name is Garrido.
Samantha Gilabert
Gilabert in 2021
Gilabert in 2021
Background information
Birth nameSamantha Gilabert Garrido
Born (1994-06-02) June 2, 1994
Beniarrés, Alicante, Spain
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • podcaster
Years active2018–present
LabelsUniversal Music Spain
PartnerAlejandro Vergara (2024–present)

Samantha Gilabert Garrido (born 6 February 1994) is a Spanish pop singer and songwriter. She gained national recognition as a semifinalist on the ninth season of the Spanish reality television talent competition Operación Triunfo in 2020.[1] Gilabert has been open about her hearing disability, which affects 65% of her hearing capacity, and has become an advocate for disability awareness in the music industry.[2]

Early life and education

From an early age, Gilabert showed interest in music despite her hearing challenges. She learned to adapt her musical training and performance techniques to accommodate her disability, developing unique methods for feeling rhythm and melody through vibrations and visual cues.[3] She studied musical language and piano, and later completed a Higher Degree in Tourism.[4]

Before her solo career, Gilabert was part of the electro-urban and rap group "Cactus" in the Valencian alternative music scene. The group, influenced by artists like Calle 13 and Orxata Sound System, released two albums with production by Mark Dasousa and performed at festivals including Festivern.[5]

Career

Operación Triunfo 2020

In 2020, Gilabert auditioned for the ninth season of Operación Triunfo, the Spanish reality television talent competition.[6] Her participation was notable not only for her vocal abilities but also for bringing awareness to hearing disabilities in the entertainment industry and for her linguistic advocacy.[7]

During the inaugural gala of Operación Triunfo 2020, Gilabert performed a version of the classic song "Que tinguem sort" by Lluís Llach, delivering it in Catalan as a linguistic statement.[8] This performance was particularly significant as it showcased her commitment to regional languages and cultural diversity.[9]

Gilabert's journey in the competition came to an end in the 12th gala.[10] Despite her elimination, her presence on the program helped raise awareness about the capabilities of artists with disabilities and challenged preconceptions about hearing impairment in the music industry.[11]

Recording career

Following her success on Operación Triunfo, Gilabert signed a recording contract with Universal Music Spain. Her post-show career began immediately with the release of her first solo single "Sin Más" in April 2020, which achieved over one million streams in just four days, demonstrating her strong fanbase from the television show.[12][13]

In August 2020, she released "Espere Que Tornes" under Universal Music Spain,[14] followed by her first solo EP "Nada" on 13 November 2020.[15] The EP was a commercial success, reaching the Top 3 of Spain's digital sales charts in its first week.[16] In 2021, she released her debut album Antídoto, which showcased her evolution as an artist and her pop and Latin pop influences.[17]

Media work and podcasting

In 2025, Gilabert launched Tenemos que hablar... kheeé! (We Need to Talk... kheeé!), an exclusive podcast for the Podimo platform.[18] The show, co-hosted with her partner actor Alejandro Vergara, focuses on relationships and features the couple discussing various aspects of their personal life with humor and authenticity.[19]

Gilabert has also co-hosted the podcast "Triunfitas con traumitas" with fellow Operación Triunfo contestant Maialen Gurbindo, focusing on the experiences of former contestants from the show.[20][21][22]

Television and other projects

Beyond her musical career, Gilabert has participated in various television projects. In 2021, she served as a jury member on the À Punt program "Duel de veus"[23] and was part of the professional jury representing Spain at the Eurovision Song Contest 2021.[24]

In 2023, she participated in the television show "Dúos increíbles",[25] where she reached the final as runner-up alongside David Summers of Hombres G.[26]

Personal life

Gilabert has been in a relationship with Spanish actor Alejandro Vergara since 2024.[27] Vergara is known for his role in the television series La Promesa.[28] The couple confirmed their relationship publicly in January 2025.[29]

Previously, Gilabert was in a relationship with fellow Operación Triunfo contestant Flavio Fernández from 2020 to 2023.[30][31]

Discography

With Cactus

  • Cactus (2018)
  • Roma (2019)

Studio albums

  • Antídoto (2021)

EPs

  • Nada (2020)

Singles

  • "Sin Más" (2020)
  • "Quiero Que Vuelvas" (2020)
  • "Espere Que Tornes" (2020)
  • "No pasa nada" (2020)
  • "Un poquito" (feat. Lérica) (2020)
  • "Mar de dudas" (2021)
  • "La Partida" (2021)
  • "Soc la d'ahir" (2021)
  • "Mi Pecado Favorito" (2022)
  • "M'han Robat El Sol" (2022)
  • "Me encontré" (2022)
  • "Harta de mí" (2023)
  • "Pa que estemos juntos" (feat. Despistaos) (2023)
  • "4 vents" (2023)
  • "Vuelvo a caer" (2025)

References

  1. ^ "Samantha, una de las favoritas, se queda a las puertas de la Final de Operación Triunfo" [Samantha, one of the favorites, is left at the gates of the Operación Triunfo Final]. RTVE.es (in Spanish). 4 June 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  2. ^ Clifford, Joseph (29 April 2021). "La historia de superación de Samantha para reponerse de una discapacidad auditiva" [Samantha's story of overcoming a hearing disability]. Cadena 100 (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 17 September 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  3. ^ "La enfermedad de Samantha y una dura infancia: Eli y las dos historias de superación" [Samantha's illness and a difficult childhood: Eli and the two stories of overcoming adversity]. Cadena 100 (in Spanish). 13 January 2020. Archived from the original on 17 October 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  4. ^ Suero, Enrique (27 April 2021). "Samantha Gilabert ('OT') nos cuenta cómo superó su discapacidad auditiva y su nueva faceta de poeta" [Samantha Gilabert (‘OT’) tells us how she overcame her hearing impairment and her new poetic side]. ¡HOLA! (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 10 February 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  5. ^ Jorro, Ignasi (13 January 2020). "Samantha Gilabert: de Arran a Operación Triunfo" [Samantha Gilabert: from Arran to Operación Triunfo]. Crónica Global (in Spanish). Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  6. ^ "OT 2020: La actuación de Samantha, nueva concursante de la Academia de Operación Triunfo" [OT 2020: Samantha’s performance, new contestant in the Operación Triunfo Academy]. La Vanguardia (in Spanish). 13 January 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  7. ^ Domènech, Albert (13 September 2020). "Samantha: "Soy positiva y optimista, pero también soy realista y me permito estar mal"" [Samantha: “I’m positive and optimistic, but also realistic and allow myself to feel bad”]. La Vanguardia (in Spanish). Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  8. ^ "Así es Samantha, la concursante valenciana de 'Operación Triunfo 2020'" [This is Samantha, the Valencian contestant of 'Operación Triunfo 2020']. Las Provincias (in Spanish). 14 January 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  9. ^ Villanueva, Marc (14 January 2020). "Campaña contra Samantha de OT: "radical, indepe, pancatalanista de la CUP"" [Campaign against Samantha from OT: “radical, indepe, pancatalanista of the CUP”]. El Nacional (EN Blau) (in Spanish). Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  10. ^ Redacción (4 June 2020). "OT 2020: Nia, Hugo, Eva, Anaju y Flavio son los finalistas" [OT 2020: Nia, Hugo, Eva, Anaju and Flavio are the finalists]. El Mundo (in Spanish). Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  11. ^ Carande, Daniel I. (14 January 2021). "Samantha, de 'OT': "La primera vez que me puse audífonos fue con 17 años"" [Samantha, from 'OT': "The first time I wore hearing aids was at 17 years old"]. Diez Minutos (in Spanish). Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  12. ^ ""Sin más", de Samantha, mejor estreno de los singles de OT 2020" ["Sin más", by Samantha, best debut among OT 2020 singles]. RTVE.es (in Spanish). 24 April 2020. Archived from the original on 4 November 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  13. ^ "'OT 2020': Samantha desvela la portada de su single "Sin más" y anuncia el lanzamiento el 24 de abril" ['OT 2020': Samantha reveals the cover of her single "Sin más" and announces its release on April 24]. Fórmula TV (in Spanish). 20 April 2020. Archived from the original on 14 April 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  14. ^ Picas, Anna R. (9 January 2021). "Samantha: "Dicen que tengo que cantar en valenciano para defenderlo. No es así"" [Samantha: "They say I must sing in Valencian to defend it. That’s not the case"]. El Nacional (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  15. ^ "Samantha Gilabert, de concursante de 'OT 2020' a jueza estrella en un nuevo talent musical" [Samantha Gilabert, from 'OT 2020' contestant to star judge on a new musical talent show]. El Periódico* (YOTELE) (in Spanish). 20 November 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  16. ^ Rosa del Pino, Andrea M. (10 September 2021). "Samantha se vuelve trending topic un año después de OT: "Es muy fuerte, pero entiendo el fanatismo, porque yo lo he vivido"" [Samantha trends again one year after OT: "It’s crazy, but I understand the fandom because I’ve lived it"]. El Mundo – LOC (in Spanish). Retrieved 7 August 2025.(Subscription required.)
  17. ^ Besteiro, Brais (6 July 2023). "Samantha: "Cuando compuse 'Antídoto' estaba viviendo una ruptura y salió lo que tenía que salir"" [Samantha: "When I composed 'Antídoto' I was going through a breakup and whatever had to come out did"]. Bekia (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 8 December 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  18. ^ "Tenemos que hablar... kheeé!" [We Have to Talk... kheeé!]. Podimo España (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 19 July 2025. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  19. ^ Moreno, Merce (6 July 2025). ""Tenemos que hablar" o cómo mezclar pareja y trabajo en un pódcast: "En 'Tentaciones', nos echarían a la segunda hoguera"" ["We Have to Talk" or how to mix couple and work in a podcast: "In 'Temptations', they'd throw us into the second bonfire"]. El Español – Bluper (in Spanish). Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  20. ^ Redacción verTele (5 June 2023). "Las chicas de 'OT 2020' airean polémicas, secretos y líos amorosos de su edición: "Tú y yo nos enrollamos un poco"" [The OT 2020 girls air controversies, secrets and romantic entanglements from their edition: “You and I hooked up a bit”]. eldiario.es – verTele (in Spanish). Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  21. ^ Palao, Alberto (25 March 2024). "Samantha desvela el mayor secreto de OT 2020: "Hubo peleas físicas en la habitación"" [Samantha reveals the biggest secret of OT 2020: "There were physical fights in the room"]. LOS40 (in Spanish). Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  22. ^ Martín Rojas, José Luis (10 August 2023). "Samantha de 'OT 2020' reconoce que tuvo sexo en la Academia de Operación Triunfo: "A nadie le sorprende"" [Samantha from 'OT 2020' admits she had sex in the Operación Triunfo Academy: "No one is surprised"]. La Vanguardia (in Spanish). Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  23. ^ Medina, Irene (12 February 2021). "«En Duel de Veus todos tienen una oportunidad y no hay límite de edad para conseguir los sueños»" ["In Duel de Veus everyone has an opportunity and there is no age limit to achieve dreams"]. ABC – Comunidad Valenciana (in Spanish). Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  24. ^ "Antonio Hueso, María Peláe, Samantha Gilabert, Nerea Rodríguez y David Santisteban: así es el jurado español de Eurovisión 2021" [Antonio Hueso, María Peláe, Samantha Gilabert, Nerea Rodríguez and David Santisteban: this is the Spanish jury for Eurovision 2021]. RTVE.es (in Spanish). 23 May 2021. Archived from the original on 15 February 2025. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  25. ^ "Samantha Gilabert, Teo Bok, María Parrado y Roi Méndez en busca de sus 'Dúos Increíbles'" [Samantha Gilabert, Teo Bok, María Parrado and Roi Méndez in search of their ‘Incredible Duos’]. El Periódico – YOTELE (in Spanish). 24 October 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  26. ^ Bocanegra, Míriam (25 October 2023). "Samantha Gilabert se emociona tras descubrir al artista tras el apodo de 'Púgil' en 'Dúos increíbles': "¡Me flipa!"" [Samantha Gilabert gets emotional upon discovering the artist behind the nickname 'Púgil' on 'Dúos increíbles': "I’m thrilled!"]. 20 minutos (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 11 May 2025. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  27. ^ Álvarez, Cristina (9 January 2025). "Se confirma el romance entre esta concursante de 'Operación Triunfo 2020' y un actor de 'La Promesa'" [The romance between this 'Operación Triunfo 2020' contestant and an actor from 'La Promesa' is confirmed]. ¡HOLA! (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 4 April 2025. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  28. ^ Martín, Almudena (20 December 2024). "Quién es Alejandro Vergara, el nuevo novio de Samantha de 'OT' que actúa en 'La promesa'" [Who is Alejandro Vergara, Samantha’s new boyfriend from ‘OT’ who stars in ‘La Promesa’]. The Objective (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 20 December 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  29. ^ Callejo, Eva (9 January 2025). "La relación de esta concursante de 'Operación Triunfo' con un actor de 'La Promesa' sale a la luz" [This Operación Triunfo contestant's relationship with an actor from 'La Promesa' comes to light]. El Televisero (HuffPost) (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 13 May 2025. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  30. ^ Redacción (16 January 2020). "'OT 2020': Flavio y Samantha son destapados por Anne como la primera carpeta de la edición" ['OT 2020': Flavio and Samantha exposed by Anne as the first “couple” of the edition]. FórmulaTV (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 19 August 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  31. ^ Meca, Gemma (13 January 2023). "La pareja de Operación Triunfo que ha roto tras años de relación" [The Operación Triunfo couple that has split after years of relationship]. OK Diario (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 12 May 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
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