Operación Triunfo USA premieres tonight on Telemundo with 20 contestants

After 25 years of history since its debut in Spain, Operación Triunfo arrives in the United States for the first time. Today, Tuesday, July 7, at 7:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. Central, Telemundo premieres Operación Triunfo USA, the new music competition bringing together 20 contestants competing to become the next big Latin star.

The first Gala 0 marks the start of the competition, where contestants perform in front of the jury and the audience to earn a place inside the Academy. Natalia Téllez hosts this first edition of Operación Triunfo USA, leading contestants and viewers through the run.

An international casting

The U.S. edition features contestants from Puerto Rico, Mexico, the United States, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, Argentina, and Spain, bringing together a mix of cultures, musical styles, and personal stories.

Puerto Rico sends three representatives: Kevin Dalí, a 26-year-old urbano artist from San Juan and Objetivo Fama 2025 semifinalist, arrives with a style he calls "Neo Glam Urbano" and interests including voice acting and impressions. Alongside him is Carla Beatriz, 23, a singer from San Juan and lifelong fan of the format, who says appearing on Operación Triunfo has always been one of her biggest dreams. Rounding out the boricua contingent is Alana Gómez (Lalah), 24, from Comerío, an artist who describes herself as colorful, vibrant, and outgoing, with a stated interest in exploring genres like cumbia.

Mexico brings five contestants: Aziz Guerra, a music student with prior TV experience after appearing on The Voice; Frankie García, an independent singer looking to explore new sounds like techno; Leslie, a singer and actress with musical-theater and reality-show experience; Acuarela Jiménez, 18, a former Tengo Talento, Mucho Talento contestant; and Jahaziel Meza, representing regional Mexican music and the ballad tradition.

From the United States: Daniella Santos, a rock and metal artist who fronts a band; Sergio Calderón Jr., singer and performer who won Boy Band and was part of In Real Life; Ashley Haynie (Allie), a bilingual singer with Mexican roots; and Naomi, representing her Venezuelan heritage out of Miami.

The Dominican Republic is represented by Beba Welmis, an urbano artist who blends trap with sounds like bachata, and Wandy Santana, a The Voice Dominicana alum with a career as both a solo artist and a member of the group Extra.

Rounding out the roster: Venezuela sends Daniel Martell, a singer-songwriter trained at Berklee College of Music; Colombia is represented by Tomás Herrera, a singer, songwriter, arranger, and producer; Panama by Karol Wilson, winner of the Versus talent competition and former backup singer for Farruko; Argentina by Guido Encinas, a singer, actor, and dancer; Spain by Amalia Martos, a singer, actress, and dancer who has been a fan of the format since childhood; and José Ángel, from McAllen, Texas, who arrives with a passion for music and performance.

Contestants with real industry experience

This casting stands out because many of the contestants already have professional industry experience. Some arrive with music releases, other reality-show appearances, artistic training, acting, and on-camera work, meaning this edition may focus more on developing artists who already have a foundation to build on.

The jury and the Academy

The jury includes major figures in Latin music such as David Bisbal, Ana Bárbara, and Ximena Sariñana, who will evaluate the contestants' artistic growth throughout the competition.

The Academy is the training center where contestants receive preparation in singing, performance, dance, and other disciplines from industry experts, while the audience follows their evolution through 24/7 live content.

With a new generation of talents, stories from across multiple countries, and the backing of one of the most internationally recognized music formats, Operación Triunfo USA begins its run this Tuesday on Telemundo.

Where to watch Operación Triunfo USA

Operación Triunfo USA airs live on Telemundo or via the network's app, available for iOS and Android. Episodes are also available the next day on Peacock. Fans can follow the day-to-day through the official YouTube channel @OperacionTriunfoEstadosUnidos, which will livestream the Academy 24 hours a day. Also part of the digital coverage: Realities After Dark: Operación Triunfo USA Podcast, hosted by Eliane Gallero, will feature eliminated contestants sharing their reactions and revisiting standout moments of the competition.

To keep up with everything, fans can follow the official accounts @OperacionTriunfoUSA and @TelemundoRealities on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and X, where the show shares its latest news, exclusive content, and standout moments. Viewers can also join the conversation with the hashtag #OperacionTriunfoUSA.