"I Have Noticed Many Prejudices About Tamara Falcó"

He is the most experienced member of the program following Edurne's departure. The publicist Risto Mejide (Barcelona, 49 years old) will once again sit at the judges' table for the upcoming edition of 'Got Talent', which will return in September on Telecinco, where socialite Tamara Falcó will debut to evaluate the artists. The talent show will also feature Paula Echevarría and Florentino Fernández as judges for another year.

-Are you still surprised by the program?

-I believe this program has an extraordinary capacity to surprise anyone. I like to define 'Got Talent' as taking the pulse of global talent. And there's a question, whether there are still talents that can surprise, that I hope won't be asked anymore. That question is never asked of Real Madrid, and they keep signing new players every year. This is the same, but on an artistic level.

-And 'Got Talent' projects many artists on a global scale.

-That's the thing, and it's not talked about enough. I would like to see more media coverage on the job opportunities 'Got Talent' provides for participants. It's a massive change. We've had cases of artists who have secured permanent shows in Las Vegas, but no one talks about it. People come and their lives change. Good people.

-For example, Rosalía was told no on 'Tu sí que vales' and later succeeded.

-I wasn't on that program, but it's true that very good people can perform poorly here. There are nerves, they might not have chosen a good piece, or they could have a bad day. We judge performances, not artists. This is very important. We judge what has been seen on the 'Got Talent' stage.

-Is there any discipline or type of performance you are a bit tired of?

-I've been doing this for 18 years since I first sat on 'Operación Triunfo'. I still get surprised by things I see from the front row as a privileged viewer. But it's true that after seeing so many acts and performances, some seem repetitive, although that doesn't mean they stop surprising me.

-Have you regretted giving any no's?

-Probably, but that's what my colleagues are for; they usually say yes. It's something that has happened to all of us at some point.

-How do you feel about being labeled as the toughest judge?

-I don't think I am; it's just that the media only highlight when I say no. I give many yeses each season, but they aren't notable. I handle it well; it's been 18 years in these roles.

-We've also seen you cry on the show. How genuine are those emotions?

-Do I look like an actor to you? Do you think I can act? Did you see my cameo in 'Los Serrano'? I did terribly. I'm the worst cameo ever on that series. I don't know how to use emotions; emotions use me. An actor's job is to deceive the camera, and I am what you see. I try to do it as professionally as possible, and emotions come out as they do.

-Do you miss Edurne after her departure from 'Got Talent'?

-I miss her and will always miss her whenever I'm at a judges' table, but I understand her need to do other things and focus more on music.

-How do you see Tamara Falcó as a judge?

-I have noticed many prejudices about Tamara Falcó. In this format, she is facing many suspicions regarding her role. I didn't have any because I didn't know her at all. Tamara has the same right and legitimacy that I had my first day on 'Operación Triunfo' or that Flo or Paula Echevarría had when they started. I think it's a good opportunity to break down prejudices about Tamara. She is going to surprise all of you just as she has surprised me.