Dulceida: "I'm proud to see myself on 'The Big Date' and say: 'I'm really fine'"

BarcelonaDulceida, the alias of Aida Domènech, is one of the most well-known influencers in the Spanish state (on Instagram she has almost 3.5 million followers). The woman from Badalona, very often the fodder of gossip magazines, has just debuted as a presenter with the program La gran cita, the new dating show from 3Cat, a format with which the public broadcaster wants to return to the success of Amor a primera vista.

You have debuted as a presenter with La gran cita. What attracted you to the program?

— At first, when they told me, I thought: "It's home, let's listen to it". The project is incredible. I always say that I am very fortunate because I receive quite a few proposals, but I say yes when I feel that I will do it well, that I will be up to par, because I am very demanding. They explained to me what The great date would be and I was like "Wow, really?" It's a very different, very special, very real format. There is a lot of love, respect and diversity. It captivated me.

Did you aspire to have a career on television?

— It is something that I have always liked a lot. I could have said yes to many things before, but I felt it wasn't the right place for me due to the type of project. I loved this project from the start and communication and television have always pleased me greatly. Even though I do different things on social media, I always say they go hand in hand.

You said 3Cat is home. What memories do you have linked to the channel?

— I had my parents crazy about going to all the Super3 festivals and, obviously, I had the card. Laberint d'ombres, Estació d'enllaç –which here was still quite small–, El cor de la ciutat, Plats bruts... At my parents' house, my grandparents', TV3 has always been the only option.

On social media there are many haters. Does this prepare you for the criticism you might receive now on television?

— Criticism, when I am sure of what I have done and I am happy with my work, does not affect me at all, at all, at all. I think: "They are not right," and that's it. And to people who are starting to get into this, whether on social media or television or any job you might have exposure to, I tell them that you should not care about hate. If I had paid attention to the first hater I had and to the criticism, I would not be doing anything I am doing and what I am achieving. In the end, I work to be happy myself and for personal success, not for success for others. I did the best I knew how here [in "La gran cita"], with an incredible team. I am super critical of myself, very demanding. And when I saw myself here [in "La gran cita"] I said: "Wow." And the whole team told me: "But what were you thinking? We were already telling you that you were great." I am proud to see myself and say: "I am really good, I am comfortable." I am very proud of it.

What has been the biggest challenge in making the program?

— The first chapters are a hundred participants, it's a lot of people, and you don't know everyone's names because it's impossible. One spoke and was very far away and I didn't see him. They were the first chapters and I was nervous, it was a bit crazy. I've been amazed by the team: I've been working for 17 years, many times on television, and the truth is that it's one of the best teams I've ever worked with. They've made everything very easy for me. They've let me do and be, which for me is very important.

The program has a technological component because an AI selects supposed compatible couples. Would you trust technology to find love?

— It depends. I know that if artificial intelligence gave Alba [Paul, his wife] and me a test right now, it would show a minimum of 90% compatibility. Then I would trust it. If it said 5%, I wouldn't trust it [laughs].

In this regard, have any of the couples detected by artificial intelligence surprised you?

— I hope not to spoil, but there is a couple that from almost the beginning it was noticeable that they were made for each other. And, according to artificial intelligence, they are one of the ideal couples. You were watching how all the couples were evolving, but suddenly someone leaves and you say: "I think this was her ideal couple", and then you see that you are right or not.

To present a dating one must be especially romantic or not?

— I don't think so. I am, I'm very cheesy. Besides, I've been in the best place because I've lived it with great intensity, but I don't think it's like a necessity.

Laura Escanes is a friend of yours and she is also a presenter on 3Cat. Has she given you any advice for this new phase?

— She gave me a lot of encouragement. She told me: "Girl, you're going to do great, you'll see. You'll love the team." We share many people on the team. But she didn't give me advice because I think she trusts me a lot, just like I trust her. I love her very much, Laura.

Would you follow his path and see yourself presenting formats other than The big date?

— I am very open [to presenting other programs] as long as I see that I fit this format and that I can do it to the best of my ability. That is what's important to me.

The program is called The big date. What has been the big date of your life?

— All the ones I've had with Alba. I miss her so much [Alba Paul is competing in the reality show realitySupervivientes on Telecinco]. Yes, all the ones I've had with Alba, even now. If suddenly we go out to dinner, I say: "It was wonderful".