Dominican singer Wandy Santana returned to Santiago de los Caballeros on Sunday after winning the first season of Operación Triunfo Estados Unidos, landing at 1:30 p.m. on a Delta Air Lines flight from New York.
Family members and friends turned out to welcome the artist, who arrived in the Dominican Republic carrying the trophy from the singing competition. He plans to stay in the country for several days to spend time with relatives and give interviews to media outlets.
Santana said he was overjoyed and had not expected any of it, adding that representing his country had been a blessing, made even sweeter by bringing the trophy home.
He said his main plan after the win was to keep working on his music career, keep bringing smiles through his songs, and help his community. "Si se puede," he added, a phrase meaning "yes, it can be done."
He also had a message for young people trying to build careers in the arts despite facing obstacles, saying it can be done and urging them to keep working with discipline and love, because, as he put it, God's timing is perfect.
Isolation from family
Santana said one of the hardest parts of competing on the show was going long stretches isolated and cut off from regular contact with his family. He said not being able to communicate with relatives he normally stays close to was the most difficult part of the experience.
To young people hoping to follow a similar path in music, he recommended they keep working, never stop, hold on to their faith in God, and take their mother's advice, which he said never fails.
Admiration for Juan Luis Guerra
Asked which Dominican artist he identifies with most, Santana named Juan Luis Guerra, calling him an extraordinary singer whom he admires and loves, and said he hopes to meet him one day. Guerra is one of the Dominican Republic's best-known musicians internationally, a multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy winner celebrated for merengue and bachata.
Santana said he had come to spend a few days with family and give interviews to talk about the experience, saying he wanted to share the achievement because, in his words, the Dominican Republic won.
A musical calling since childhood
Santana's mother, Francisca Concepción Tavares, said her son's connection to music began in childhood and was closely tied to the church, where he served as an altar boy alongside his grandmother.
She recalled that during his school years Wandy took part in singing contests and consistently won every one he entered, showing an early interest and natural ability for music.
Tavares also thanked the community of the Santa Rita church in New York, along with its priest and members, for the support they gave her son over the years he was involved with the congregation both in the Dominican Republic and later in New York. She said she was happy, grateful to God, and thankful to everyone who had supported him.
Grandmother calls him 'an example'
Santana's grandmother, Margarita María de la Rosa, said she was proud of her grandson's victory and pointed to the discipline she said he has shown since childhood, calling him an example for young people today.
She said that despite turning 24, Wandy has stayed away from habits she considers harmful and has instead remained devoted to music and the church, saying the only thing he has ever put his hand on is a microphone.
De la Rosa recalled that her grandson began singing as a child at the La Otra Banda church in Santiago, an experience she said helped shape his interest in music, and said he remains deeply attached to his family.
From The Voice Dominicana to US victory
Santana's win caps a run that began with an earlier attempt on Dominican television. In 2021 he competed on the first season of The Voice Dominicana, performing "Bailando" by Ramón Orlando, but was eliminated during the battle rounds.
Five years later he joined Operación Triunfo Estados Unidos, the US version of the singing competition franchise that originated in Spain and has been adapted in numerous countries. He advanced all the way to the grand final and became the first winner of the American edition of the format.
Santana was introduced on the show as a 24-year-old Dominican living in Queens, New York, with musical experience dating back to his childhood and rooted in the church. He stood out during the competition for his performances and for blending elements of different Latin music genres.
In the final, he performed "Tu Amor Me Hace Bien" by Marc Anthony and won the majority of the public vote, finishing ahead of the four other finalists.
$100,000 prize and what comes next
As winner of Operación Triunfo Estados Unidos, Santana received a $100,000 prize along with a recording contract with Universal Music Latino and backing from GTS to support his artistic career.
Following his win, Santana has also said he intends to use part of the prize money to help people around him who are facing financial difficulties, in addition to supporting his family and continuing to build his music career.
