MIAMI, FL – June 30, 2026 — Telemundo announced music stars Ana Bárbara and Ximena Sariñana as judges on Operación Triunfo Estados Unidos, premiering Tuesday, July 7 at 7pm/6c. They join David Bisbal on the judging panel for the first season of this music competition that brings together a new generation of talented young artists determined to pursue their dreams and become the next rising star. Each week, the judges will evaluate the contestants’ performances and growth during the live galas, where participants will showcase their artistic evolution as they compete to become the first winner of Operación Triunfo Estados Unidos.
Ana Bárbara is one of the most recognized artists in Regional Mexican music and most recently hosted Telemundo’s Billboard Mujeres Latinas en la Música. A singer, songwriter, producer, and actress, she has built a successful career spanning more than three decades, highlighted by hits such as “Bandido,” “Lo Busqué,” and “Loca.” A multiple award winner and a highly influential figure in Latin music, she has sold millions of records and established herself as one of the genre’s most important female artists. She has also served as a judge and mentor on major music competitions and television programs in both Mexico and the United States, bringing extensive industry experience and expertise.
Ximena Sariñana is a Mexican singer, songwriter, and actress whose successful career spans music, film, and television, making her one of the most versatile and influential artists of her generation. She has served as a judge and mentor on music and talent competitions, and has appeared in acclaimed television and film productions, including Netflix’s The House of Flowers (La Casa de las Flores). In music, she has released five studio albums and earned six Latin Grammy nominations and one Grammy nomination. Her distinguished career has also led her to participate in major cultural and international initiatives, including her recent appointment as ambassador for the Jalisco es México campaign, which promotes the state of Jalisco as a tourism and cultural destination during the 2026 FIFA World Cup™.
Telemundo will soon announce additional personalities who will join the music competition.
Operación Triunfo Estados Unidos began with a nationwide open audition that attracted thousands of applicants from across the country, followed by a final selection round featuring young performers representing a wide range of backgrounds, personalities, and musical styles. These aspiring artists will take to the Operación Triunfo Estados Unidos stage for the first time, where the judges will determine who will enter the academy to receive training in singing, performance, dance, and other artistic disciplines, while living together 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The contestants will face spectacular live gala performances where they will put their talent, discipline, and artistic growth to the test before both the judges and the audience. Their performances will be evaluated by both groups to determine who advances in the competition on the road to the grand finale, where only one contestant will achieve glory and become the winner of the first edition of Operación Triunfo Estados Unidos.
Audiences can join the conversation on Instagram, TikTok, and X via @OperacionTriunfoUSA and @TelemundoRealities, using #OperacionTriunfoUSA.
Operación Triunfo Estados Unidos is under the supervision of Adrián Santucho, Senior Vice President of Non-Scripted Content, alongside executive producers Luciano Cardinali and Fernando Lorente.
About NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises:
NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises leads the media industry in the production and distribution of Spanish-language content for U.S. Hispanics and audiences around the world. The company serves U.S. Hispanics through its national broadcast network, the cable network Universo, and digital platforms including the Telemundo app, a suite of FAST channels, and streaming services, such as Peacock, among others. The Telemundo Network offers Spanish-language entertainment, news, and sports content reaching 96% of U.S. Hispanic TV households in 210 markets through 30 owned stations and 94 affiliate stations. Telemundo also owns an independent station serving Puerto Rico. Anchored on Telemundo Studios, the network is the #1 producer of scripted Spanish-language content in the U.S., and the only network to produce original content specifically for US Hispanic audiences. Offering over 600 hours of reality TV shows a year, and top-rated live specials such as the Billboard Latin Music Awards and Miss Universe, Telemundo is considered the undisputed Home of Live TV in Hispanic media. The network is also the exclusive Spanish-language home of the world’s two most popular sporting events, the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games. NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises is a division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.
Press contact:
Gerardo Oyola
Director, Alternative Programming Publicity
