“I’m thrilled to see that 23 years later the public loves me because I’m real”

The imitation of Antonio Molina was the last one he starred in David Bustamante in Your face sounds familiar to me 11 and the one that gave him the victory in this successful Antena 3 program. “I am excited to see that 23 years later the public loves me,” the singer confesses to InformaliaIn the final he defeated Raoul Vazquezwhich was one of the big favourites. The audience was (and remains) divided between the two. “He is a great imitator and a great artist. I have sponsored him because I feel very identified with him.”explains about his teammate. With the hangover from victory, we spoke with David Bustamante.

Were you surprised to win or did you expect it?

I experienced it with great emotion and it thrills me to see that 23 years later the public loves me and makes me the winner of a show. It’s very nice to feel that your career is healthy and that people love you.

Did you ever think that the public had stopped supporting you?

No, because I just did a musical and I’ve had a full house for three years and my last single was number one. People have always been there, but this career is a constant test, especially when you leave your comfort zone, because few have taken as many risks as I have.

It’s very brave to enter a competition like this. Did you think about it a lot before taking part?

No, because I am the real me and that is why people love me. I love challenges. When you leave your comfort zone, that is when you grow as an artist and a person. Television is not strange to me, because I was born on a television show. Every challenge keeps me alive and with the same enthusiasm as when I was 19 years old.

You are real and people buy from you because your message has been the same for 20 years.

That’s it. If I had a mask on, they would have taken it off me already.

Part of the public supported you and another part supported Raoul. What would you say to those who still say that he should have won?

They are also right. Raoul is a great imitator and a great artist. I have sponsored him because I feel very identified with him. He has to find his way and deserves to have a place in music. I loved Raoul, but also Julia, Raquel, Juanra… it was an incredible casting and we got along very well.

What has the program brought to you?

It has been a vocal school. It has pushed me to the limit many times, to the point of injuring myself. I have a very defined way of singing and my body tends to bring out my voice, my vibrato, my turns… Having to hide such a recognizable voice has been very hard. That is where my merit lies.

Has having Chenoa in front of you, as a judge on ‘Tu cara me suena’, been special for you?

Yes, because she is my older sister, I adore her. We have an incredible relationship, even though she couldn’t help me there (laughs). We have a lot of contact, we are almost neighbors… from my generation of

is the one I see the most, along with Javián.

Have you been able to speak to Àngel Llàcer after winning? What did he say to you?

It was very nice. I get emotional when I remember it. He said to me: ‘Thank you for giving so much to this program.’ We have missed him a lot because he has had a very hard time.

In ‘TCMS’ you have proven to be a great imitator. Who is the best imitator of you?

I haven’t seen many sung imitations, but I think the best spoken one is Carlos Latre.