Beth

Early Life and Rise to Fame

Elisabeth Rodergas Cols, known as Beth, was born on 23 December 1981 in Súria, Catalonia, Spain. After finishing school, she studied musical theatre in Barcelona and even spent time in the United Kingdom, broadening her artistic influences. In 2002, Beth’s life changed when she entered the popular TV talent show Operación Triunfo (OT). She finished third in the competition, but a separate public vote chose her to represent Spain at the Eurovision Song Contest 2003. Beth performed the pop song “Dime” (“Tell Me”) on the Eurovision stage in Riga and achieved an impressive eighth place out of 26 countries. Her Eurovision entry “Dime” became a number-one hit in Spain, and the 2003 Eurovision final became the most-watched TV program of the year in Spain. This early success launched Beth into national stardom and made her a household name in Spanish pop music.

Debut Album and National Success

Riding the momentum of her Eurovision fame, Beth released her debut album Otra Realidad in April 2003. The album, released by Vale Music, included her Eurovision hit “Dime”. Otra Realidad was a commercial triumph: it debuted at number one on the Spanish Albums Chart and sold around 200,000 copies, earning double platinum certification. It was among Spain’s top ten best-selling albums of 2003. Following this success, Beth embarked on a concert tour to promote the album. In 2004, she released a live album and DVD titled Palau de la Música Catalana, recorded during a performance at the famed Barcelona concert hall. 

Musical Evolution and Acting Ventures

In October 2006, Beth demonstrated her artistic growth by releasing her second studio album, My Own Way Home. Unlike her first album, this project was produced with Warner Music and much of it was written and composed in London, reflecting a more personal and international sound. The album saw Beth singing in English on tracks like “Rain On Me” and “All These Things”, showcasing her versatility. Around this time, Beth also explored acting and other ventures. She made her theater acting debut in late 2006, starring in the comedy Pels Pèls at the Teatre Borràs in Barcelona.

Beth continued performing on stage in subsequent years. Notably, in 2013 she took a lead role in the Catalan musical La Dona Vinguda del Futur (“The Woman Who Came from the Future”) at the National Theatre of Catalonia. Beth also appeared on screen, with a role in the Spanish TV series Lalola in 2008 and a part in the Catalan film Xtrems in 2009, expanding her career into television and cinema. In addition, she hosted the Catalan TV talent program Buscant la Trinca in 2009–2010 and even contributed songs to TV soundtracks. For example, she co-wrote and performed “On és l’amor?” for the TV3 series Mar de Fons and provided the theme song for the children’s series Zoo. These projects outside of pop music allowed Beth to grow as an all-around entertainer while staying connected to her Catalan roots.

Embracing Catalan Roots and Third Album

While Beth initially sang in Spanish (and English) for a broad audience, she gradually embraced her Catalan identity in her music. In May 2010, she released her third studio album, Segueix-me el fil, which was her first album entirely in the Catalan language. This album marked a new direction for Beth, featuring folk-pop styles and intimate songs in her native language. The release of Segueix-me el fil also coincided with Beth’s increased involvement in Catalonia’s cultural scene. She became known for expressing her Catalan pride, and she opted to release some of her music only in Catalan-speaking regions. In fact, Segueix-me el fil was initially distributed in Catalonia and neighboring areas rather than all of Spain.

Around this period, Beth openly stated that she did not fully identify with the song “Dime” or the idea of representing Spain, noting that she felt she had represented the TV channel rather than the country. These candid remarks stirred some controversy, but they also underscored her desire for artistic authenticity and cultural honesty in her career.

Further Collaborations and Hiatus

Beth’s fourth studio album, Família, arrived in 2013. Like the previous record, Família was also rooted in Catalan influences. The album continued her exploration of a more organic, singer-songwriter sound. After 2013, Beth slowed down her solo releases, but she remained active in music through collaborations. Between 2013 and 2019, she frequently performed with the Simfònica de Cobla i Corda de Catalunya, participating in special musical projects that blended pop and classical styles. She contributed to albums and live concerts such as Llegendes del Pop&Rock and Tossudament Llach. The singer performed tribute arrangements of popular and classic songs across Catalonia. This period allowed Beth to stay connected to music and her fanbase even without new solo albums.

During the late 2010s, Beth also focused on her personal life. She got married and became a mother, having three children. This naturally shifted her priorities for a few years. This hiatus from releasing solo records lasted for about seven years. Beth appeared less in the commercial pop scene but continued to mature as an artist and individual.

Return to Recording and Recent Projects

After a significant break, Beth made a much-anticipated comeback to the recording studio. In 2021, she released Origen, her fifth studio album, marking her return to the spotlight. This new album was very special to Beth. It was a collection of songs she had written over many years. Some dated back to the mid-2000s. Now she finally decided to record and share them. Described as a personal and reflective record, Origen allowed Beth to reconnect with her own songwriting and showcase her authentic voice without outside pressures. The album was released under the independent label U98 Music. Fans and critics noted that Origen felt like a “reconciliation” between Beth and her music, as she embraced her past experiences and her true musical style.

In 2022, Beth continued to create new music, this time through a collaborative project. She partnered with pianist Laura Andrés to release Natural Women. It was a joint album that paid homage to iconic female artists and featured piano-vocal interpretations. Natural Women was well received in her home region, highlighting Beth’s status as an established artist who honors her musical influences.