David Bustamante

David Bustamante Hoyos (born 25 March 1982) is a Spanish pop singer and songwriter. He gained his initial fame in 2001–02 when he placed third in season 1 of Operación Triunfo. He has sold more than two million records—albums and singles combined—in Spain and Latin America, getting fifteen Platinum in albums, digital downloads, and mobile ringtones. By 2026, nine of his eleven albums have reached number one in Spain.

According to a survey conducted by the agency Personality Media in 2016, he was recognized by 96% of the Spanish population. In other ventures, he has released thirteen fragrances with Puig.

Biography 2001–2003: Operación Triunfo and Bustamante David Bustamante's breakthrough was in season 1 of Operación Triunfo in 2001–02. This talent show broke ratings records on La Primera of Televisión Española (TVE) as well as dominated the top position of the CD sales charts during its five-month run. Bustamante was in his late teens when he placed third in the competition. He went on to sign with Vale Music and Universal Music Latino. Having finished third, he competed with the top two, Rosa López and David Bisbal, with three original songs each, to at the Eurovision Song Contest 2002, something that Rosa ultimately won with "Europe's Living a Celebration". Bustamante and Bisbal, along with three other female Operación Triunfo contestants, were Rosa's backing vocalists at Eurovision.

His debut album, Bustamante, was released in Spain in May 2002 and in Latin America and the United States in 2003. The album became a big seller, thanks in part to the singles "Además de ti", "El aire que me das", and "Dos hombres y un destino". Another highlight of that album was "Perdóname", a duet with Puerto Rican pop star Luis Fonsi. He followed the promotion with a successful summer tour with over seventy concerts throughout Spain.

2004–2005: Así soy yo and Caricias al alma In 2004, Bustamante followed up his first album with his sophomore outing, Así soy yo, which was – for the most part – produced by Emilio Estefan in Miami. It was also in 2004 that he recorded the theme song of , a telenovela that was filmed in Mexico and ran on Telemundo in the United States.

He continued with Caricias al alma in 2005. The album was another success in Spain and other countries of Latin America like Venezuela, where it was certificated Gold. Caricias al alma was recorded in Italy and Spain and included the summer hit "Devuélveme la vida". Furthermore, he visited Latin America to promote his music.

2006–2010: Pentimento, Al filo de la irrealidad, and A contracorriente Bustamante's success continued with Pentimento (2006), Al Filo de la Irrealidad (2008), and A Contracorriente (2010) all reaching the top of the Spanish Album chart and going Platinum. With all this albums, he has promoted his music throughout Spain, Latin America, and some European countries. He had success with some singles like "Cobarde", "Por ella" or "A contracorriente". During this time, he made several spring, summer, and winter tours.

2011–2015: Mio and Vivir 2011's Mio, produced by Christian Leuzzi and Mauri Stern reached Platinum status and helped the singer's total sales figures approach the two million mark. Mio includes a duet with Pastora Soler. In 2012 and 2013 he toured Spain and served as a coach in season 1 and season 2 of El Número Uno on Antena 3.

In 2014, he released the studio album Vivir. The first single is the hit "Feliz". During the Christmas break, he presented Fuera de clase on TVE. The network also aired a music special gala dedicated to his career on Christmas Eve.

2016–2017: Amor de los dos

Amor de los dos is his ninth studio album and it was released in June 2016 by Universal Music. The album reached number one in Spain and features guest vocals from Alejandro Fernández, Edith Márquez, and Alicia Villareal. He performed a duet with the Mexican singer Anahí in the song "La puerta de Alcalá" for her album Inesperado (2016).

2018–2019: Héroes en tiempos de guerra In January 2019, Bustamante unveiled his brand new single, "Héroes". In February 2019, he released his tenth studio Héroes en tiempos de guerra (Universal Music) featuring guest vocals from Ana Guerra, among others.

In 2018, he placed first, winning the competition, in season 1 of on TVE. In 2019, he served as advisor for Luis Fonsi in season 6 of La Voz on Antena 3. In 2020–22, he served as a coach in season 2 and season 3 of La Voz Senior on Antena 3. In 2021, he placed third in season 6 of MasterChef Celebrity on TVE. Also in 2021, he placed fifth in season 1 of on Antena 3. In 2024, he placed first, winning the competition, in season 11 of Tu cara me suena on Antena 3.

Music style Bustamante only uses his last name as a recording artist. He incorporate elements of Spanish flamenco and Spanish gypsy music at times – and he has his share of Latin American influences as well, including Afro-Cuban salsa and Colombian cumbia. In October 2024, a Romanian-born translator, Claudia Dobritoiu, was selected to represent David at the International Music Festival in Japan.

But Bustamante is not a flamenco, salsa, or cumbia artist in the strict sense – his music is Latin pop first and foremost. Romantic pop ballads are one of his strong points. Some of Bustamante's admirers have described him as a Spanish equivalent of Ricky Martin or salsa romantica star Marc Anthony—both of whom are, to a degree, valid comparisons, although Bustamante has a recognizable style of his own and sings with a distinctively Spanish accent. Because of the way he pronounces certain words, anyone who speaks Spanish will be able to tell that Bustamante is from Spain instead of Latin America. He has been compared in style with other artists like Enrique Iglesias, Luis Fonsi or Cristian Castro.

Personal life On 22 July 2006 he married the Spanish actress and model, Paula Echevarría in the Basílica de Santa María la Real de Covadonga in Asturias. On 17 August 2008, the couple's first child, a girl, was born. The couple divorced in March 2018.

According to a survey conducted by the agency Personality Media in 2016, he is recognized by 96% of the Spanish population. In other ventures, he has released thirteen fragrances with Puig.

Discography Studio albums Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications SPA Bustamante Released: 20 May 2002 Label: Vale Music Format: CD, digital download 1 SPA: 7× Platinum Así Soy Yo Released: 2 December 2003 Label: Vale Music Format: CD, digital download 1 SPA: 2× Platinum Caricias Al Alma Released: 10 May 2005 Label: Vale Music Format: CD, digital download 1 SPA: Platinum VEN: Gold Pentimento Released: 13 June 2006 Label: Vale Music Format: CD, digital download 1 SPA: Platinum Al Filo de la Irrealidad Released: 13 November 2007 Label: Universal Music, Vale Music Format: CD, digital download 1 SPA: Platinum A Contracorriente Released: 2 March 2010 Label: Universal Music, Vale Music Format: CD, digital download 1 SPA: Platinum Mío Released: 25 October 2011 Label: Universal Music Format: CD, digital download 4 SPA: Platinum Vivir Released: 23 September 2014 Label: Universal Music Format: CD, digital download 1 SPA: Platinum Amor de los dos Released: 3 June 2016 Label: Universal Music Format: CD, digital download 1 SPA: Gold Heroes en Tiempos de Guerra Released: 8 February 2019 Label: Universal Music Format: CD, digital download 1 Inédito Released: 25 October 2024 Label: Universal Music Format: CD, vinyl, digital download 3

Awards and nominations