Nicknamed "La Nina Azul," jazz-blues vocalist Virginia Labuat has been described as Spain's most distinctive talent show winner. Born Virginia Maestro Diaz in Jaen in 1982, she picked up the guitar at age 12, performed in various local bands, and studied music at the University of Seville. She entered the sixth series of Operación Triunfo in 2008, ultimately beating Pablo Lopez in the final. Following her victory, she joined forces with Operación Triunfo judge Risto Mejide and alt-pop producers the Pinker Tones to form Labuat, releasing a self-titled debut in 2009 and supporting Beyoncé on the Barcelona leg of her I Am tour. In 2011, she announced that she would record under the name Virginia Labuat and issued her second album, Dulce Hogar, later that year. ~ Jon O'Brien