Veronica Romero

Verónica Romero Sotoca (Elche, Alicante, July 18, 1978), known artistically as Verónica Romero, is a Spanish singer and songwriter. She rose to fame as a finalist in the first edition of the musical reality show Operación Triumph 2001 and released her debut album in 2002. Her career has developed in Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and San Marino.

Musical career

Youth and beginnings

She is the youngest of three brothers. Verónica Romero is a great lover of music and sports. Since she was little she has practiced sports gymnastics and in her youth she was an aerobics instructor. She later studied vocal technique with a lyrical singing teacher and learned to play the flute. She was part of the group Heraldica, in which she sang and played the aforementioned instrument. She was also part of the group Doc Holiday.

2001-2002: Rise to fame

On October 22, 2001, Romero, aged twenty-three, made his first public appearance at the first gala of the musical competition Operación Triunfo 2001 (often abbreviated OT). On February 11, 2002 he came in sixth place with 1.4% of the votes - 26,131 cast from February 4 to 11, among 12,525 through calls and 13,606 via messages - and an audience of 12.8 million viewers at the final ceremony, being the most viewed broadcast of a contest in Spain.

The SGAE published that the participants of Operación Triunfo contributed to improving the recorded music market in Spain, with sales that exceeded three million albums. The single "My music is your voice", performed by all the participants, it was the most popular song of the contest, becoming number one on Los 40 Principales. Thanks to this, the official book of the contest was published, which sold more than 300,000 copies in two months. In addition, 230,000 copies of the first video tape of the contest were sold and 200 official products were published. The participants also collaborated with the Spanish Ministry of Public Works in the forest fire prevention campaign. On the other hand, with the Royal Spanish Football Federation recorded Spain's official song for the 2002 Football World Cup, which they premiered at the Copa del Rey final at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid. After the performance, they were received by their Majesties the Kings of Spain, Don Juan Carlos I, Doña Sofía of Greece, and Prince Felipe VI.

The Operación Triunfo tour, attended by more than half a million people, was presented in places such as the Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona, the La Cartuja Olympic Stadium in Seville, or the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. This last concert was broadcast on television. Once the tour ended, on September 20, the documentary OT: the movie was screened in more than 300 movie theaters, which summarizes the lives of all the participants during the Operación Triunfo tour. The documentary was also broadcast on television, watched by 4 million viewers. The contest became a television phenomenon in Spain, being the most profitable in history, awarded with the TP de Oro and the Ondas award for the best program.

2002: The Force of the Sun

In 2002 he presented his first album La Fuerza del Sol with Vale Music. It entered third place on the Spanish sales list prepared by Promusicae after the first albums by Álex Ubago and David Bisbal. Her first work went gold and included two songs composed by her and her brother.

Her first single was Bésame and the album includes other songs such as No por él (with her friend Rosa López) or Qué bonito, that were promoted on television. In the summer of the same year she went on a tour of seventy concerts with David Bustamante.

At the end of the year she traveled with Nuria Fergó to Guatemala to learn about the solidarity progress of an Intervida campaign.

2003-2004: Rain and Witchy Love

In 2003 he performed with Mai Meneses from Nena Daconte at the Generación OT gala. That same year she decided to end her contract with Academia de Artistas, the program's management agency.

At the end of the year he presents his new album Lluvia with a new record label: O'Clock Music (a subsidiary of Vale Music). The album includes three songs composed and produced by her. The coincidences of her destiny caused her father, Octavio, to die the week of the release of her second album.

The album had two singles There is no other love and Perhaps. They were known at the time for their video clips. The first of them dedicated to the freedom to love and in which homosexual couples appeared kissing. His solo tour had more than twenty concerts and began on May 14, 2004 in Talavera de la Reina (Toledo) and ended on September 5 of the same year in Lorca (Murcia).

Between 2003 and 2004 he was the image of Elche CF.

In December 2004, the album El Amor Brujo by Manuel de Falla was presented, performed by the Valencian Baroque Orchestra and in which Verónica was the soloist. This play was staged for the first time on September 27, 2003 at the Gran Teatro de Elche.

2005: Residence in London and work in film

From January to August 2005 he lived in London, United Kingdom. She attended English, dance, guitar and acting classes.

In 2005, the telefilm Las Palabras de Vero by director Octavi Masià premiered on regional channels. In it, Verónica plays herself and the artist admired by a girl with Down syndrome who co-stars in the film.

Later he appeared in Fin de Curso (Happy hour) by director Miguel Martí (who already directed his music videos). It was released in Spanish cinemas on July 15, 2005 in Spain. In the film she plays Sandra, a student at the Spanish Lyceum in Lisbon who belongs to the group of students who prefers to go on an end-of-year trip to Paris versus the group of lifers who choose to go to Benidorm.

2006-2007: Serotonin

In 2006 he was a finalist in the television contest Survivors: Lost in the Caribbean on Telecinco presented by Jesús Vázquez. The final gala of the contest was followed by 3,661,000 viewers, obtaining a 30.5% audience share. Verónica Romero came second with 44.6% of the votes.

That same summer she was on the cover of the men's magazine MAN and filmed the film Grandma's Secret. In it she plays Miriam, a small supporting role. Hers Participates in her original soundtrack with three songs composed and performed by her.

Following the advice of his late father, he created his own record label. With him, she released her album Serotonin in the fall. His singles were It would be impossible and On four wheels . For the video clip of the first, images of the concert at the Heineken Hall in Madrid were taken.

In 2007 he released a reissue of his album: Más serotonina preceded by the single Conectado a mi and accompanied by a video clip. Some of his followers and Atlético de Madrid player Antonio López appeared in this one.

He collaborated with MSN and Microsoft in the download of this single through a website created especially for the occasion. All proceeds went to the Theoroda Foundation to help rebuild after the earthquake in Peru. Connected to Me was fourteen non-consecutive weeks (ten consecutive) number one in downloads on MSN Music. The song is the most downloaded single in the history of MSN Music Spain and was certified Platinum in digital download.

2008-2009: Limited Edition and residency in Miami

Between 2008 and 2009 Verónica settled in Miami. She subsequently recorded six songs which she eventually released on a physical EP titled Limited Edition. These songs were sold at their concerts in December 2009. A year and a half later they would be included, along with some demos recorded in Los Angeles: their next studio album made up of ten songs recorded between Miami and Los Angeles and titled Limited Edition Plus. All the songs were authored by her in music and lyrics. Among these songs, her single It will be late (I would like to return) stands out, which includes a video clip recorded in New York.

In 2009 she was pre-nominated at the 10th Latin Grammy Awards in four categories and at the 52nd Grammy Awards in five categories. She highlighted the signing of it by ASCAP and the showcase presentation of it at the Hard Rock Café in Miami, where it was put on sale for the first time Limited Edition. At the end of that year she participated in galas and the Hope for the Homeless concert.

2010-2015: Tastes Like Chocolate and residency in Los Angeles

In 2010 he settled in Los Angeles. During this time, she co-wrote several songs with singers and recorded new songs presented at concerts in Hollywood in venues such as the Hard Rock Café on Hollywood Boulevard, the Cid or the Avalon.

In 2011 he recorded the demo for several songs that he presented through YouTube and Soundcloud: With or without you (with Anand Bhatt), Queen Bee, Robotronic Love, Confession, Light Crusader, Pulse and Fiesta.

In 2012 he presented the single Tastes Like Chocolate, a single composed of 7 versions of the song in English and Spanish under the same name. With a danceable and commercial pop style, this single preceded the EP that she released on the market with five other remixes. Dave Matthias (Rihanna, Paulina Rubio) and Jeff Barringer (Duran Duran, Cher, Depeche Mode) remixed the song. Verónica presented the song in the United States and Spain on various television programs. Tastes Like Chocolate reached first place in the pop category and top 5 in the general music category on iTunes Spain. In addition to the single and a few months later, she released the new version of Tastes Like Chocolate (Loverushuk Remix), available on Spotify.

In 2012 he recorded the duo Hoy the same as yesterday for an album by Oscar Morgado. His partner David Bustamante also participated with another duo on the album, as they both worked with him on his 2002 tour.

In 2013 he went on a North American and Spanish concert tour from summer to fall. At the end of the year she presented Nothing compares to you, her next single.

In 2014 he continued his journey in Los Angeles performing concerts and performances. He presented new songs such as Perfectly Imperfect, Defuse this bomb, Take me home tonight, My Inspiration or Numbers (listened to on independent North American radio stations and on SoundCloud). In June 2014 she co-wrote the song Goddess of love with Joan Pla.

In 2015 he released the single Worth the wait with a Spanish version I will wait for you. The English version has a video clip recorded in Los Angeles. During the summer of the same year, she performed at the 2015 Special Olympics World Games held in Los Angeles. She also opened several of the concerts for pop singer Daniel Bedingfield, brother of Natasha Bedingfield.

2016-2017: OT:The Reunion and residence in Spain

In 2016 he worked in the studio with Lucas Vidal, a young Spanish composer who has won two Goya Awards. In the spring of the same year she performed concerts in Spain and the United States. The singer presented two new singles: Your smile along with a video clip recorded in Los Angeles and Lo mejor de mi. During the same year he participated in the documentaries and the concert of OT: El Reencuentro (TVE) as well as in Your face sounds to me on Antena 3 along with Rosa López in an imitation of ABBA from the international hit Dancing Queen.

During this time he composed the song Army of one with Phil Collen, guitarist of the English band Def Leppard.

In 2017 he released the single Superhero recorded in Australia and collaborated sporadically on the TVE program Hora Punta.

2018-2019: Australian tour "Hello World" and projects in Spain

In 2018 she was the presenter of the Vampi Tour concerts (the show from the Disney Channel series Vampire Girl) in Spain. During the year she was a collaborator of the Radio4G station and participated with two songs on the soundtrack of the film Sin rodeos by Santiago Segura, starring Maribel Verdú and produced by Atresmedia Cine. In parallel, her new single A reason to stay began to be promoted at television galas and on digital platforms.

That same year he presented his next album Hello World in concert for the first time in Australia. Verónica also wrote a song with Adrian Schinoff, Pablo Alborán's producer. In the fall she promoted her album on Australian television and went on a second concert tour in that country. She performed in Sydney, Melbourne, Townsville and Cairns.

In 2019 he released the single No other love (like you) along with a new video clip recorded in Sydney. The song is an English version of her well-known song No hay otro amor (first single from her second album Lluvia ).

During his time in Australia he recorded the album Hello World produced by David Jacobsen. As Verónica has already stated, this work requires significant support from the music industry. When it comes out, it will feature songs such as Hello World, Take me home tonight, Army of One, Numbers and The voice, among others.

2020-2021: If you stay and The valuable secret that hides your smile (book)

In 2020 he presented the single Si te quedas through the Sonogrand record company and together with the Italian singer-songwriter Paolo Vallesi. Composed by herself, the song is a pop ballad.

At the end of 2020 he launched his first book The valuable secret that your smile hides available through his website, in bookstores and on digital platforms.

The launch of his book included the reissue of his single If you stay (we jump into the void) alone along with an interactive video clip recorded in Barcelona where you can choose the ending.

In 2021 he published the second edition of his book The valuable secret that your smile hides with a change of cover, updated and with additional content. The book contains a review by presenter Anne Igartiburu. In this edition, Verónica wanted to pay tribute to her colleague Àlex Casademunt by dedicating a new added chapter to him.

2022: Goddess of Love and My Inspiration

In 2022 she released Goddess of Love (a maxi single composed of three versions of the same single). Goddess of Love has a Spanglish, English and Spanish version Diosa del Amor. The release of this single included a video clip recorded in different locations in Valencia. The song reflects the empowerment of women under a pop-dance musical base produced by her Australian manager David Jacobsen.

In September 2022 she presented a new single My Inspiration, a song where Verónica has reflected all her gratitude and unconditional love towards her fans and the people who have given her support during her more than 20 years musical career. The single release included a music video recorded in Switzerland during the summer months, as well as an English version of the single My Inspiration. The production was again through David Jacobsen and the composition of the lyrics is by the artist together with Stephen Gage and Benjamín Scala.

2023: Army of One - Eurovision San Marino, Open and Simple Formula It is not goodbye

The year 2023 began for the singer with several musical projects.

In January she is selected to participate in the casting of Una voce per San Marino with her song Army of One composed with Phil Collen, guitarist of the English band Def Leppard. Verónica managed to reach the semi-finals among more than a thousand registered artists from 31 different countries to represent San Marino at Eurovision 2023. Finally, after her debut on the Una voce per San Marino stage with her song Army of One, was not selected to represent San Marino.

Thanks to this opportunity, Verónica took the opportunity to launch her single Army of One on all digital platforms. The song went to number 1 on the iTunes rock charts and also remained in the top 5 on the overall iTunes charts.

During the year, Verónica Romero joins the new Formula Abierta lineup with her editing partner Geno Machado (the only member who has remained in the musical group since its inception). The group also has the addition of Enrique Anaut, a contestant in the second edition of Operación Triunfo. Formula Abierta celebrates 20 years of musical history and the occasion is celebrated with a concert tour throughout the national territory. In February 2023, a new version of the summer hit I love you more went on sale.

In March 2023, the artist released a new single No es un adiós along with a video clip in which faces such as Miriam Díaz-Aroca and Jaime Nava have participated. Not Goodbye also includes an English version Not Goodbye. The song is the soundtrack accompaniment to the second book written by the singer: Soul and the Path of Awakening (a fantastic novel immersed in the field of spirituality and personal growth).

Discography

Operation Triumph

Videography

• 2002 - Kiss me.
• 2003 - There's no other love
• 2004 - Maybe.
• 2006 - It would be impossible.
• 2007 - Connected to me
• 2009 - Someone to think about (of the series "Puiu"
• 2009 - Someone to think about (of the series "Puiu"
• 2012 - I'd like to come back. (It'll be late.)
• 2013 - Tastes like chocolate
• 2014 - Worth the wait
• 2016 - Your smile
• 2019 - No other love (like you)
• 2020 - If you stay (with Paolo Vallesi)
• 2021 - If you stay (we jump to the void)
• 2022 - Goddess of Love
• 2022 - My inspiration
• 2023 - Army of One
• 2023 - It's not goodbye.

Tours

• 2002 - Operation Triomphe Tour - 27 concerts
• 2002 - Bustamante and Veronica Tour - 78 concerts
• 2002 - 2003 - Tour The strength of the sun - 55 concerts
• 2004 - 2005 - Rain Tour - 32 concerts
• 2006 - 2007 - Tour Serotonina Tour - 32 concerts
• 2008 - 2009 - Tour More Serotonina - 15 concerts
• 2010 - 2013 - Tour Limited Edition - 50 concerts
• 2013 - 2014 - Chocolate Tour - 25 concerts
• 2015 - 2016 - Tour Your smile - 16 concerts
• 2018 - Tour Australia - 15 concerts
• 2021 - 2023 - Acoustic Tour Spain - 18 concerts
• 2023 - Open Formula Tour - 20 concerts

Filmography

• 2001 - 2002 - Operation Triomfo (TVE). Contestant
• 2002 - Triumphomania (TVE). Weekly program. She herself
• 2002 - OT: In concert (TVE). She herself
• 2002 - OT: The film (Filmax). Movie. She herself
• 2003 - Godfathers for the triumph (TVE). Solidarity gala. She herself
• 2003 - Operation Eurovision (TVE). Weekly program. She herself
• 2004 - The words of Vero. Television film directed by Octavi Masià
• 2005 - End of course. Film directed by Miguel Martí
• 2006 - Grandma's secret. Film directed by Bethlehem Anguas
• 2006 - Survivors: Lost in the caribbean (Telecinco). Finalist
• 2009 - Excessive consumption of estrogens. Patxi Basabe Short (Along with Karra Elejalde and Aitor Ocio)
• 2009 - 2016 - What a happy time! (Telecinco). Sporadic guest
• 2016 - OT The Reunion (TVE). She herself
• 2016 - OT: The concert meeting (TVE). Concert emitted
• 2016 - Your face sounds to me. (Antena 3). Imitation ABBA
• 2017 - 2018 - Point time (TVE). Sporadic collaborator
• 2019 - Live life (Telecinco). Weekly program. She herself
• 2022 - Get me if you can (Telemadrid and Canal Sur). Competition. She herself
• 2022 - Special Eurovision (À Punt). Special program. She herself
• 2022 - Mediafest Night Fever (Telecinco). Singing companion. She herself