Nuria Fergó, who rose to prominence on the first season of 'Operación Triunfo' in 2001, has joined Roberto Leal's 'Pasapalabra', returning to prime-time television after years focused on music and the stage. Born Nuria Fernández Gómez in Nerja, Málaga, she was one of 16 contestants in the first edition, which premiered on La 1 on 22 October 2001. Created by Gestmusic and broadcast by RTVE, the show became a major force in Spanish television and music. Fergó was the fifth contestant eliminated from the academy, but the exposure helped launch her recording career.
Her debut album, 'Brisa de esperanza', came out in April 2002 and reached number one on Spain's sales charts, making her the first 'Operación Triunfo' contestant to top the rankings. It was later certified triple platinum. Songs including 'Quiéreme' and 'Las palabritas' became part of her best-known repertoire. Later releases, including 'Locura' (2003, gold), 'Paketenteres' (2005), 'Añoranzas' (2007) and 'Tierra de nadie' (2009, produced by DJ Sammy), cemented her reputation. In 2022, she tried a different style with 'Con permiso', an album of ranchera covers.
One of her most memorable performances on the show was a duet with Manu Tenorio on 'Noches de bohemia'. The pairing remained popular with viewers in later RTVE audience polls. Since then, Fergó has performed more than 500 solo concerts across Spain and taken leading roles in musical theatre, including 'Mi última noche con Sara', a tribute to Sara Montiel. She has also toured with 'Toda una vida', honoring María Dolores Pradera. In 2025, she released 'Voy a ser feliz', a pop single with flamenco influences that aims to convey optimism and warmth to her audience. Anniversary coverage has also tied her 25 years in professional entertainment to a tour and new music, including the single 'Si decides no volver'.
Fergó has also worked in film and television. She made her screen debut in 'La playa roja' (2003) and later joined the cast of 'Amar en tiempos revueltos' (2006 to 2008). Her television credits include 'Mediterráneo' and 'Plaza alta', along with several short films. She also sang 'Vivir sin recordarte' for the basic theme of the docudrama 'El Corredera'. Her work in recorded music, acting and theatre has taken her well beyond the reality-TV platform that first introduced her to national audiences.
Fergó married businessman José Manuel Maíz Chacón in Palma de Mallorca in May 2010. They had a daughter, Martina, in July 2011, and separated later that year. After the separation, Fergó returned to Nerja for a time before moving to Majadahonda and eventually settling in Madrid in 2020.
Fergó's career reflects changes in Spain's entertainment industry, where reality-TV alumni have gone on to work in music, acting and television. The first 'Operación Triunfo' cohort included performers such as Rosa López, David Bisbal, Chenoa, David Bustamante and Manu Tenorio. The programme's first three editions aired on TVE between 2001 and 2004, before the format later moved to Telecinco. Fergó's work across disciplines reflects a wider trend of artists building careers beyond a single medium. A similar shift can be seen in Spanish society, including recent demographic changes in Catalonia, where birth rates have risen for the first time in years, showing how public figures and wider social trends can intersect in unexpected ways.
For audiences who have followed Fergó since the early 2000s, her appearance on 'Pasapalabra' brings a familiar face back to television. Her career across music, theatre and screen roles stands as an example of longevity in Spain's competitive entertainment sector.
