Valeria Castro Returns to Stage, Accepts Ondas Award After Health Break

Canarian artist Valeria Castro is back on stage, just over a month after she announced she needed to take a break from her professional activities.

On Wednesday, she received the Ondas Award for Musical Phenomenon of the Year, an honor she shares with Guitarricadelafuente. The award ceremony took place at the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona.

During the event, the singer accepted her award, dedicating it to her family, her team, and everyone who has supported her in recent weeks.

In her speech, she highlighted that a performer's voice "coexists with what we experience, how we treat ourselves, and our body's limits." She added, "The world's noise and constant demands sometimes make us feel we must keep going no matter what. That's okay, as long as we don't ignore our own needs. It's through this openness, this vulnerability, that I learned to create songs that have helped me."

She also thanked her home island, La Palma, describing its people as having "rebuilt wounds," and stating that she, as a woman from La Palma, would be no different.

Valeria Castro referred to a statement she published in October. After performing on Operación Triunfo, she explained she was pausing her tour because of a health problem. At the time, she said that exhaustion and declining mental health were directly impacting her ability to perform.

She later clarified that her television performance was not the cause of her discomfort, but rather a situation that already existed.

In an interview on Cadena SER's "La Ventana" program, she confirmed she is feeling better. She stressed how important it was to have professional support during this period.

She also spoke about the importance of treating a break as sick leave, emphasizing the right to take time off for mental health reasons.

The Ondas Awards recognized Valeria Castro for her storytelling ability, her strong connection to her Canarian heritage, and her authentic musical style.

Valeria Castro will restart her tour on December 8 in Vigo. She will then perform in Mallorca on the 11th, Burgos on the 21st, and Madrid in January.