Melendi used the presentation of the new season of "La Voz" on Antena 3 to mount a strong defence of the talent show format, indirectly rebutting recent comments from fellow singer Dani Martín, who has said he would never take on the role of a television coach.
The event, held to unveil the new season's format changes and introduce the incoming judges, turned into a broader discussion about how the music industry views shows like "La Voz." Melendi took the floor to make the case for the program, describing the criticism as something he took personally given his close ties to the Atresmedia format.
Dani Martín's comments
The remarks that prompted Melendi's response came from Dani Martín, who during a large concert in Madrid said he would never want to be "the coach of anyone." The singer, known for the hit "Caminando por la vida," avoided naming anyone directly and did not turn the disagreement into a personal dispute, but he did point to the discomfort such statements cause within the production.
Melendi said that when someone has not experienced something from the inside, it is better to show restraint, because there is a truth and a respect for music on set that can only be understood by sitting in that chair.
Melendi's own history with the show
For Melendi, the connection to "La Voz" goes beyond television and has become a tool for social and professional reconnection. The singer, who returned to the program after his first and much-remembered stint in 2012, recalled how the show was decisive in changing public perception of him at a key moment in his career.
He explained that appearing on the show allowed him into the homes of millions of families who until then had held reservations about him because of what he described as his "rowdy past." According to Melendi, television used well can build bridges and humanise an artist's career.
Defending the coach's role
Melendi also stressed the ethical responsibility involved in guiding new talent, distancing himself from the simple label of "judge" in favour of emphasising the mentoring role and the transmission of experience to contestants.
In his view, dismissing the work of coaches or the validity of contestants seeking an opportunity ignores the real difficulties the industry faces in giving visibility to new voices. He argued the format respects the identity of contestants and works as a legitimate showcase in an increasingly fragmented music market.
Season launch and what it signals
With this stance, the start of the new season of "La Voz" has been marked by a reaffirmation of principles from its veteran team. Beyond the on-set battles or the fight for prime-time ratings, Melendi's intervention made clear the program's intention to defend its space as one built on artistic rigour and support for live music, despite the reservations that television as a medium continues to generate in parts of the music scene.
"La Voz" airs on Antena 3, part of the Atresmedia broadcasting group.
