Israel: All the highlights from the second episode of HaKokhav Haba!

The highly anticipated Israeli selection process for Eurovision 2025 conitnued tonight with the second episode of HaKokhav Haba 2025. This competition, known in English as “The Next Star”, is the format used by Israel to choose its representative for the Eurovision Song Contest.

Hosts and Judging Panel

Returning to host the show are Rotem Sela and Assi Azar. Azar has been involved with HaKokhav Haba since its inaugural edition in 2013 and previously hosted the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest. Sela joined as a host in the second season and has been a presenter ever since.

The judging panel for this season includes a diverse group of music industry veterans:

• Assaf Amdursky
• Keren Peles
• Shiri Maimon
• Eden Hason
• Ran Danker
• Itay Levi

With their combined experience, the panel ensures a high level of competition, which promises to be even more intense than last season’s edition.

Contestants and Their Performances

In the second episode, we watched six auditions, with five of these contestants, staying in the race for the ticket to Basel.

• Perfylove Kanene Mongoza is 24 years old born in Israel to Congolese parents. She is a model and believes that her special skin color is an advantage. She sees herself at Eurovision and really wants to represent Israel. Perfylove Kanene Mongoza performed “Drivers License” by Olivia Rodrigo, impressing with her vocal abilities, she secured 92%.
• Ilay Katz is almost 17 years old and performed “Father” by Ben Tzur. Ilay performs with a lot of confidence. Although he is very young in age, he has great talent. He also qualifies with 86% in the continuation of the process, but Assaf Amdorsky voted against him.
• Hili Goren is 18 years old, singer and granddaughter of Edna Goren who was one of the pioneer jazz singers in Israel. Hili chose the song “If Tomorrow I Die” by Liran Danino. With a unique voice, slightly hoarse, with perfect vocal precision and a lot of charisma, she qualifies with 89% to the next stage.
• Ronan Bader is a 21-year-old law student. He performed “Careless Whisper” by George Michael. Ronan gave a very impressive performance, displaying excellent vocal skills, perfect vocal accuracy and a lot of confidence. He also qualified with 78% in the continuation of the process, but Assaf Amdorsky voted against him.
• Alma Maimon De Razon is 19 years old and has always dreamed of working in the music industry. She will soon enlist in the army as a nurse. She sang “October Sky” in a soft, airy and caressing voice. Everyone voted yes. She also qualified to the next phase with a percentage of 94%.

The next episode of HaKokhav Haba 2025 is set to air next week, with new auditions.

The winner of HaKokhav Haba and therefore Israel’s representative in Eurovision 2024 was Eden Golan. Eden Golan performed her song “Hurricane“, finishing fifth overall.