Ruth Lorenzo: ‘I have huge respect for Geri Halliwell’

This is not a drill: Ruth Lorenzo is representing Spain at Eurovision this year. The mighty-lunged 31-year-old won the Spanish TV heat last weekend and will travel to Copenhagen this May to, well, sing her tits off just like she did on The X-Factor in 2008 (#TeamMinogue). Keen to catch up with la belta from España, we emailed over a few questions and Ruth kindly replied.

Spain hasn’t won Eurovision since 1969. Why do you think that is?
I think that there are a lot of different factors; I think at times it has been because of political reasons or maybe just because we haven’t chosen the right song. Sometimes it’s all down to the song!

How did you become Spain’s Eurovision entrant? Were you asked to submit a song – or did you enter the Spanish heats of your own accord?
It was my fans: they campaigned for weeks because they believed in me and believed that I would be the best person to represent Spain, and thankfully this paid off. I was asked by [Spanish TV network] TVE to be one of five potential entrants and we all performed live on TV and the public voted and I won! I feel so honoured to be going to Copenhagen holding the Spanish flag. It’s a dream come true.

You co-wrote Dancing in the Rain yourself. What’s the story behind the song?
It’s got a positive message about never giving up when your world seems to be falling down around you, and believing that things will get better – you just need to smile and have faith. If you take life as it is and keep on dancing through the rain it will eventually pay off.

What makes it a good Eurovision song?
You need to be able to connect with your audience – if they can feel what you’re singing and believe it, that’s important. But more than anything it needs to be real and truthful for the artist.

Have you thought about your performance in Copenhagen yet? Are you going to try something spectacular or keep it stripped back?
You will have to wait till May 10 to find out!

There are rumours Geri Halliwell could be representing the UK this year. Are you nervous about potentially competing against a Spice Girl?
I have huge respect for the Spice Girls and of course Geri Halliwell – I hope the UK choose her because I think she would be a great person to represent your country. The nerves will be there on the night anyway because of the massive amount of talent under one roof! And the fact that it’s the Eurovision Song Contest!

Why should UK voters pick up the phone and vote for Ruth Lorenzo?
The UK is my second home. They are the ones who gave birth to me as an artist. They have always supported me since The X-Factor and I can never thank them enough for everything they have helped me achieve. I hope that in Copenhagen, I can make not only Spain proud but the UK proud too because they own a piece of my heart.

How did Dannii Minogue react when she found out you were going to Eurovision?
She was so happy! She was texting, calling and tweeting me support and advice!! She has been such a massive inspiration on this crazy journey and I can never thank her enough for the opportunities she has given me.

When are you and Dannii going to record a duet? Obviously you already wrote a song for her last year.
Never say never! I would love to do a duet with Dannii – she has such an incredible talent and vision! Who knows what the future will bring? The universe works in mysterious ways!

Finally, why do you think you have so many gay fans? I was at your Shadow Lounge gig a few years ago and the atmosphere was amazing!
I have always had such a great reception from the gay audience – every single year they invite me back to perform at all the Pride events and the atmosphere is always so incredible. I think it’s because I am not afraid to be myself – I think think that they respect me for that, and I respect them for the same reasons. There is nothing better in life than being able to be yourself and be happy. Life is too beautiful and too short to do anything different than that.

Ruth represents Spain at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, which takes place on May 10 in Copenhagen, Denmark.