Dominican singer Wandy Santana returns home a champion

Dominican singer Wandy Santana received a warm welcome from family and friends upon his return to Santiago de los Caballeros on Sunday. Santana, the winner of the inaugural Operación Triunfo United States, arrived at 1:30 p.m. on a Delta Air Lines flight from New York, carrying the music competition trophy.

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I am very excited, I didn't expect any of this. Representing my country has been a blessing for me, and even more so bringing this trophy back to you all.

"I am very excited, I didn't expect any of this. Representing my country has been a blessing for me, and even more so bringing this trophy back to you all," Santana shared, reflecting on his victory and the significance of representing the Dominican Republic. The 24-year-old artist plans to focus on developing his music career, aiming to bring joy and help others through his work.

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My plan is to keep working on music, keep bringing smiles with my music and help, help my people.

Santana also extended a message of hope to young aspiring artists facing challenges. "Yes, you can, keep working with discipline, with love. The time comes, God's time is perfect," he advised. He described the isolation and lack of constant communication with his family during the competition as the most difficult aspect of his experience.

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Yes, you can, keep working with discipline, with love. The time comes, God's time is perfect.

When asked about Dominican artists he admires, Santana named Juan Luis Guerra, whom he described as an "extraordinary singer" he deeply admires and hopes to meet one day. During his stay in the Dominican Republic, Santana intends to spend time with his family and participate in media interviews to discuss his journey and triumph, emphasizing that the victory belongs to the Dominican Republic.

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I spent a long time isolated, without communication. So the hardest thing for me was not having communication with my family, whom I am always attentive to.