Alba Reche

{{Infobox person

| name = Alba Reche

| image = Alba Reche 40 Music Awards.jpg

| alt =

| caption = Reche in 2021

| birth_name = Alba Martínez Reche

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|12|17}}

| birth_place = Elche, Valencian Community, Spain

| alma_mater = Technical University of Valencia

| occupation = Singer and songwriter.

| years_active = 2018–present

| height_cm = 160

| television = Operación Triunfo

| title = Ranking Latinos - 9na season (Twitter)

| awards =

| module = {{Infobox musical artist

| embed = yes

| genre = {{hlist|Synth-pop|pop|Latin R&B}}

| label = Universal

}}

| website =

| signature =

}}

Alba Martínez Reche (born 17 December 1997) is a Spanish singer-songwriter from Elche, Alicante. The singer first gained national recognition in 2018 placing as the runner-up in series ten of the Spanish reality television talent competition Operación Triunfo, behind Famous Oberogo. After exiting the show, the singer signed a record deal with Universal Music and released her debut studio album Quimera (2019) which peaked on the third position on the PROMUSICAE musical chart, sold more than a twenty thousand copies, charted more than thirty weeks and scored a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Engineered Album.{{Citation|last=Música|first=El portal de|title=QUIMERA - ALBA RECHE {{!}} EPDM|url=https://www.elportaldemusica.es/album/alba-reche-quimera|language=en-US|access-date=2020-09-15}}{{Cite web|last=INFORMACION.ES|date=2020-09-29|title=Alba Reche, nominada a los Grammy Latinos 2020|url=https://www.informacion.es/elche/2020/09/29/alba-reche-nominada-grammy-latinos-14224938.html|access-date=2020-09-29|website=Información|language=es}}

Early life

Reche was born in Elche on December 17, 1997. Daughter of Miguel Ángel Martínez y Rafaela Reche García, she has a little sister named Marina, who is also a singer. Reche started manifesting her passion for music, dancing and, in general, fine arts, at an early age.{{Cite web|date=2019-12-09|title=Alba Reche: La exconcursante de Operación Triunfo debuta con su disco Quimera|url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/gente/20191209/472059154384/alba-reche-quimera-inicio-gira-entrevista-operacion-triunfo.html|access-date=2020-09-15|website=La Vanguardia|language=es}} This led her to enter a dancing academy and to study Fine Arts at the Technical University of Valencia as well. Parallelly, the singer worked as a waitress at a musical pub in Valencia where she used to perform during midnight sessions.{{Cite web|date=2018-09-26|title=Alba Reche, una camarera de un pub de Valencia en Operación Triunfo 2018|url=https://www.lasprovincias.es/gente-estilo/alba-reche-20180926160806-nt.html|access-date=2020-09-15|website=Las Provincias|language=es}} In 2018, Reche dropped out of college after being accepted to participate as a contestant on the Spanish musical reality television contest Operación Triunfo.{{Cite web|date=2018-09-20|title=Estos son los 16 concursantes de OT 2018|url=https://www.elmundo.es/f5/mira/2018/09/20/5ba35e40468aeb173e8b4652.html|access-date=2020-09-15|website=ELMUNDO|language=es}}

Career

= 2018-2019: ''Operación Triunfo'' =

Pushed by her sister, Reche auditioned alongside her relative to take part of the upcoming season of Operación Triunfo. After being selected, she entered the contest in September 2018. Reche was once chosen by the audience as favorite after covering "La Llorona", a traditional Mexican folk song. The performance was critically acclaimed due to its "strength and excellent vocal interpretation".{{Cite web|date=2018-11-01|title=Alba Reche alcanza la excelencia con 'La Llorona' y enamora a los fans de OT|url=https://as.com/epik/2018/11/01/portada/1541027636_539623.html|access-date=2020-09-15|website=AS.com|language=es}}{{Cite web|last=Iniesta|first=I. J.|date=2018-11-01|title="La llorona" Alba Reche, elegida como favorita tras una brutal actuación|url=https://www.informacion.es/elche/2018/11/01/llorona-alba-reche-elegida-favorita-5667462.html|access-date=2020-09-15|website=Información|language=es}} Her performance of Sara Bareilles' "She Used to be Mine" earned her the praise of the singer and a page on The New York Times.{{Cite news|last=Paulson|first=Michael|date=2019-02-04|title=Sara Bareilles Sang 'She Used to Be Mine.' Now Fans Are Making It Theirs.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/04/theater/sara-bareilles-she-used-to-be-mine-waitress.html|access-date=2020-09-15|issn=0362-4331}} After covering "Je Veux" by French singer Zaz, the singer invited the Spanish to perform with her on the show's final gala as well as on her sold-out concert at the WiZink Center in Madrid.{{Cite web|last=EFE|date=2019-04-02|title="Madrid sera toujours Madrid", pero rendido a la Francia de Zaz|url=https://www.eldiario.es/cultura/madrid-toujours-rendido-francia-zaz_1_1623885.html|access-date=2020-09-15|website=ElDiario.es|language=es}} In December, the singer was placed second in the show, with the 35% of the popular vote.{{Cite web|last=Iniesta|first=I. J.|date=2018-12-31|title=La ilicitana Alba Reche queda segunda en Operación Triunfo|url=https://www.informacion.es/cultura/2018/12/31/ilicitana-alba-reche-queda-segunda-5629148.html|access-date=2020-09-15|website=Información|language=es}}

Reche was pre-contracted to audition to represent Spain at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest, with "¿Qué Será Luego?", a track fully written by Aitana López. However, the song didn't make it to the final.{{Cite web|date=2019-01-04|title=Alba, única finalista de 'OT 2018' que no estará en la preselección de Eurovisión|url=https://prnoticias.com/2019/01/04/alba-reche-fuera-preseleccion-eurovision/|access-date=2020-09-15|website=PR Noticias|language=es}} In January, Reche topped the PROMUSICAE chart after releasing the compilation album of her performances on Operación Triunfo.{{Cite web|last=Yotele|first=Redacción|date=2019-02-06|title=Alba Reche debuta en el número uno de las listas de ventas con su álbum recopilatorio|url=https://www.elperiodico.com/es/yotele/20190206/alba-reche-numero-uno-listas-ventas-recopilatorio-7290246|access-date=2020-09-15|website=elperiodico|language=es}} Reche co-headlined a 13-date arena concert tour with her fifteen talent show companions in 2019. The tour (named OT 2018 en concierto) began on February 8 at the WiZink Center and ended in Cádiz in August after the last two shows were cancelled due to low ticket sales.{{Cite web|date=2019-08-09|title='Operación Triunfo 2018': amargo e inesperado fin de gira|url=https://us.hola.com/actualidad/20190809147303/ot-2018-inesperado-final-gira/|access-date=2020-09-15|website=HOLA USA|language=es-US}} Over 120,000 fans attended the tour.{{Cite web|last=Soto|first=Vanesa|date=2019-08-12|title=OT 2018 pone un (¿agridulce?) punto y final a su gira. Así se han despedido los triunfitos|url=https://vanidad.es/mixed-up/923124401/OT-2018-pone-un-agridulce-punto-y-final-a-su-gira-Asi-se-han-despedido-los-triunfitos-.html|access-date=2020-09-15|website=vanidad.es|language=es}}

= 2019-present: ''Quimera'' =

File:Two girls and a frame - 49608967907.jpg

After the talent show ended, Reche signed a record deal with Universal Music.{{Cite web|title=UNIVERSAL - Universal - Detailartist Site|url=http://www.universalmusic.es/es_ES/detalleartista/1629/alba-reche|access-date=2020-09-15|website=www.universalmusic.es}} On October 4, 2019, she released "Medusa", the lead single of her debut album after previewing it at the Coca-Cola Music Experience. The track became a top 70 hit in Spain and showcased the new musical direction Reche was taking, a more synth-pop/R&B orientated sound.{{Cite web|date=2019-10-05|title=Alba Reche despega con "Medusa", adelanto de su próximo álbum debut {{!}} Noticias|url=https://www.elquintobeatle.com/2019/10/05/alba-reche-despega-medusa-adelanto-album-debut/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230143836/https://www.elquintobeatle.com/2019/10/05/alba-reche-despega-medusa-adelanto-album-debut/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=December 30, 2019|access-date=2020-09-15|website=El Quinto Beatle|language=es}} "Caronte" was released two weeks later as the album's second official single, which peaked on the 68th position on the PROMUSICAE musical chart.{{Cite web|date=2019-10-20|title=Alba Reche desnuda sus sentimientos en la barca de 'Caronte'|url=https://www.europafm.com/noticias/musica/alba-reche-desnuda-sus-sentimientos-barca-caronte_201910205dac74050cf2647bba5cd72a.html|access-date=2020-09-15|website=EuropaFM|language=es}} On October 25, 2019, her debut album, Quimera, was released on digital download and streaming platforms. The album revolves around Greek mythology stories, while its cover art resembles Eros and Psique.{{Cite web|last=Montejo|first=Nerea|date=2019-10-25|title=Alba Reche lanza "quimera", un viaje emocional que navega entre distintos géneros|url=https://thunderstroke.es/noticias/alba-reche-lanza-quimera-un-viaje-emocional-que-navega-entre-distintos-generos/|access-date=2020-09-15|website=Thunderstroke|language=es}} It peaked at number three on the Spanish albums chart.{{Cite web|date=2019-02-05|title=Alba Reche y Bad Bunny lideran las listas de álbumes españolas {{!}} Popelera|url=https://www.popelera.net/promusicae-alba-reche-bad-bunny/|access-date=2020-09-15|language=es}} In April 2020, a live acoustic EP titled Sobre Quimera recorded at the Reina Sofía Museum was released on streaming platforms. A week before, a music video for the title track was released on YouTube and began to have radio impact.{{Cite web|date=2020-04-03|title=Alba Reche presenta el videoclip del tema 'quimera' {{!}} Popelera|url=https://www.popelera.net/alba-reche-videoclip-quimera/|access-date=2020-09-15|language=es}}

In December, the tour that promoted the album, the Quimera Tour, began with two consecutive sold-out shows at the Gran Teatro in Elche.{{Cite web|last=Montejo|first=Nerea|date=2019-11-11|title=Alba Reche cuelga el "sold out" y anuncia segundas fechas|url=https://thunderstroke.es/noticias/alba-reche-cuelga-el-sold-out-y-anuncia-segundas-fechas/|access-date=2020-09-15|website=Thunderstroke|language=es}} The tour was paused on March 11, 2020 due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain. Many concerts were cancelled or postponed.{{Cite web|last=VILLANUEVA|first=CARLOS|date=2020-05-24|title=Coronavirus {{!}} Giras canceladas por el coronavirus: "Perdemos nuestro trabajo, pero también nuestra forma de vida"|url=https://www.rtve.es/noticias/20200524/giras-canceladas-coronavirus-perdemos-nuestro-trabajo-pero-tambien-nuestra-forma-vida/2014565.shtml|access-date=2020-09-15|website=RTVE.es|language=es}} Alternatively, she embarked on a coronavirus-friendly summer concert tour that respected the social distance dictated by the World Health Organization.{{Cite web|date=2020-07-02|title=Alba Reche sorprende con 'Sobre Quimera': conciertos para este verano|url=https://okdiario.com/happyfm/alba-reche-sorprende-sobre-quimera-serie-conciertos-este-verano-5840735|access-date=2020-09-15|website=okdiario.com|language=es}} During that time, she collaborated with many other artists on the benefit cover song "Escriurem (Jo Em Corono)" (originally sung by Miki Núñez), whose benefits went to Bonaventura Clotet's medical foundation.{{Cite web|last=EFE|first=Agencia|date=2020-04-21|title=Miki Núñez reúne a 15 artistas para luchar contra coronavirus con "Escriurem"|url=https://www.cope.es/actualidad/television/eurovision/noticias/miki-nunez-reune-artistas-para-luchar-contra-coronavirus-con-escriurem-20200421_689089|access-date=2020-09-15|website=COPE|language=es}} Previously she had taken part of the "People in Red" gala in Barcelona, which raised 926,000 euros "to invest them in research projects that are being carried out such as the preventive HIV vaccine, but which also helps other diseases such as cancer or Alzheimer's to benefit".{{Cite web|date=2019-11-19|title=La gala People in Red recauda 926.000 euros para la lucha contra el sida|url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/gente/20191119/471741354231/gala-people-in-red-lucha-sida.html|access-date=2020-09-15|website=La Vanguardia|language=es}}

Personal life

Reche currently lives in an apartment in Madrid due to her career. As of her sexual orientation, she identifies as bisexual.{{Cite web|date=2018-09-25|title=Tres concursantes de 'Operación Triunfo 2018' confiesan ser bisexuales|url=https://www.marca.com/tiramillas/cine-tv/2018/09/25/5baa08a222601da7678b45c2.html|access-date=2020-09-15|website=Marca.com|language=es}} She was a headliner at the capital's Pride Parade alongside other LGBT artists. She also identifies as a feminist.{{Cite web|last=Cordero|first=Por Gonzalo|date=2020-05-05|title=Descubriendo a Alba Reche: música en la pradera, debate feminista y las barreras de la intimidad|url=https://www.esquire.com/es/actualidad/musica/a32373201/alba-reche-entrevista-quimera-conciertos-feminismo/|access-date=2020-09-15|website=Esquire|language=es-ES}}

As for politics, Reche identifies as left-wing oriented. In November 2019, following a second election within six months in Spain, the singer expressed rejection to the 3,5 million people who had voted for far-right nacionalist political party Vox by saying "you guys are not needed" on Twitter.{{Cite web|date=2019-11-11|title=Alba Reche, concursante de 'OT', desata la locura con este tuit sobre Vox durante la noche electoral|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.es/entry/alba-reche-concursante-de-ot-desata-la-locura-con-este-tuit-durante-la-noche-electoral_es_5dc96e44e4b00927b236d812|access-date=2020-09-15|website=El HuffPost|language=es}} In May 2020 she accused the same party of appropriating the Spanish flag after a big car nationalist protest occurred in a few cities in the country.{{Cite web|date=2020-05-24|title=La cantante Alba Reche estalla contra Vox|url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/gente/20200524/481368716405/alba-reche-vox-manifestaciones-espana-twitter-sanchez.html|access-date=2020-09-15|website=La Vanguardia|language=es}} Reche spoke about the Catalan independence movement with 20 Minutos and stated that "the Government isn't allowing people to express what they believe in".{{Cite web|last=20minutos|date=2019-10-26|title=Alba Reche habla de la crisis en Cataluña: "No se está dejando a la gente decir lo que piensa"|url=https://www.20minutos.es/noticia/4031130/0/alba-reche-crisis-cataluna-no-se-esta-dejando-gente-decir-piensa/|access-date=2020-09-15|website=www.20minutos.es - Últimas Noticias|language=es}} After many protests in Barcelona after the trial of the Catalan independence leaders, the singer tweeted in Valencian "only the people can save the people".{{Cite web|title=Una famosa 'triunfita' se moja y sacude la red post 10-N: "Qué ovarios tienes"|url=https://www.elnacional.cat/enblau/es/television/alba-reche-operacion-triunfo-elecciones-vox_440517_102.html|access-date=2020-09-15|website=En Blau|date=11 November 2019 }} In June 2020 she attended the Madrid protest in favor of racial equality and against police brutality and the murder of George Floyd alongside singer and friend Natalia Lacunza.{{Cite web|last=ELMUNDOTV|date=2020-06-07|title=Alba Reche y Natalia Lacunza, juntas en la manifestación por George Floyd en Madrid|url=https://videos.elmundo.es/v/Aij7N3ofy1c-alba-reche-y-natalia-lacunza-juntas-en-la-manifestacion-por-george-floyd-en-madrid|access-date=2020-09-16|website=ELMUNDOTV|language=es}}