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Israel: The Grand Final of HaKokhav HaBa – Eurovision 2025 Edition is Tonight!

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The big night has finally arrived for Israel, as the country prepares to select its representative for Eurovision 2025. After nearly two and a half months and more than 30 episodes, the journey of HaKokhav HaBa – Eurovision 2025 Edition culminates tonight, with four artists competing for the ultimate prize: the chance to represent Israel in the 69th Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland.

The Hosts and Judges

Returning to guide the show are long-time hosts Assi Azar and Rotem Sela, a duo that has fronted the competition since 2014. The judges’ panel features a stellar lineup:

  • Shiri Maimon
  • Itay Levy
  • Assaf Amdorsky
  • Ran Dankar
  • Keren Pels
    The panel also welcomes Eden Hasson as its newest addition for this season.

Finalists and Format

After an intense series of auditions, eliminations, and performances, four artists have reached tonight’s grand finale, aiming for victory and the honor of representing Israel. The finalists are:

  • Valerie Hamaty
  • Daniel Weiss
  • Yuval Raphael
  • Red Band & Moran Aharoni

The final will unfold in two distinct rounds:

  1. First Round: Each finalist will perform one song. Based solely on public televoting, the top three artists will advance to the second round.
  2. Second Round: The remaining three artists will each present another song. This time, the winner will be determined through a combined voting system, comprising:
    • Israeli televotes
    • Scores from the six judges
    • Input from a special jury panel

The artist with the highest cumulative score will be crowned the winner and will fly the Israeli flag in Basel.

When Will the Song Be Revealed?

While the artist will be decided tonight, the song they’ll perform at Eurovision will be revealed later. Composers selected by Israel’s public broadcaster have until early February to submit their proposals. Following internal discussions with tonight’s winner, the song will be finalized and unveiled in March.

Where to Watch the Final?

You can tune in to the grand final of HaKokhav HaBa tonight at 20:30 CET on Keshet 12. Watch it via:

Israel’s Eurovision Legacy

Last year, Israel was represented at Eurovision 2024 in Malmö by Eden Golan and her song “Hurricane”, which earned the country an impressive fifth place in the Grand Final.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K60BWlEhtAA

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all updates about Israel’s road to Eurovision 2025 in Basel!

 

 

Israel: Everything That Happened in the 28th Episode of HaKokhav Haba!

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Yesterday, on Saturday, January 11th, the 28th episode of HaKokhav Haba was broadcasted, the song competition through which Israel will select its representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, which will take place in Basel, Switzerland, on May 13, 15, and 17, 2025.

The HaKokhav Haba competition continues with 9 artists remaining in the battle. Yesterday’s task continued the Kokhav Nolad (translated: “A Star is Born”) challenge from the previous episode—a tribute to singers who emerged through HaKokhav HaBa, with contestants performing a song by one of the program’s alumni. Five contestants took the stage to perform their pieces, with the two lowest-scoring contestants facing elimination, leaving the decision to the judges.

Hosts and Judges

Rotem Sela continues as the host of the show, alongside Assi Azar, one of the hosts of Eurovision 2019. Azar has been a host since the first season of HaKokhav Haba in 2013, while Rotem Sela began hosting from the second season, a role she still holds today.

The judging panel includes:

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

Performances

Ido Malka

Ido opened the evening with the song “Emtza HaLayla BaKfar” (translated: “Midnight in the Village”), originally by Harel Moyal, the winner of the second season of HaKokhav HaBa. The song seemed tailor-made for Ido, who showed a deep connection with the lyrics. He impressed the judges and scored 93%.

Valerie Hamaty

Valerie chose to sing “Shalchat” (translated: “Autumn Leaves”), originally performed by Izhar Cohen and covered by Harel Skaat, who finished second in the second season of HaKokhav HaBa and represented Israel in Eurovision 2010. Unfortunately, she did not manage to satisfy the judges and received only 64%.

Amit Sade

Amit chose to sing “Now That You’re Gone”, originally performed by Shiri Maimon, a judge on HaKokhav HaBa, who finished second in the first season of Kokhav Nolad and also represented Israel in Eurovision 2005. Amit impressed the judges and scored 92%.

Nati Livian

Nati chose to sing “Leylot Ve Klalot” (translated: “Nights and Curses”), originally by Omer Adam, who participated in the auditions of the seventh season of HaKokhav HaBa. Nati brought the song to his own style as only he knows, however, he did not particularly satisfy the judges, scoring 71%.

Daniel Wais

Daniel chose to sing “Rak ShLo Tipol HaRuach” (translated: “Just Don’t Let the Spirit Fall”), originally performed by Ninet Tayeb, the winner of the first season of HaKokhav HaBa. Daniel mesmerized the judges with his performance and scored 92%.

Elimination of the Night

At the end of the evening, the judges decided that Nati Livian‘s journey in the competition would end here.

The HaKokhav HaBa Grand Final will take place on Wednesday, January 22nd! Out of the eight contestants remaining in the competition, only four will make it to the Grand Final. There, the Israeli public and the Eurovision judging panel will decide together who will be the next representative of Israel at Eurovision!

The winner of HaKokhav HaBa last year, and therefore Israel’s representative in Eurovision 2024, was Eden Golan. Eden Golan, with her song “Hurricane”, finished in 5th place in the final ranking.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates regarding Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2025 in Basel!

Source: euromix

Israel: Everything That Happened in the 24th Episode of HaKokhav Haba!

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Yesterday, Thursday, January 2, the 24th episode of HaKokhav Haba was broadcast. This is the singing competition through which Israel will choose its entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, which will take place in Basel, Switzerland, on May 13, 15, and 17, 2025.

The continuation of the HaKokhav Haba battle phase started with 12 artists. Yesterday’s mission was the third part of the “surprise duet” phase, in which the last four contestants had to sing a duet with a famous singer whose identity they did not know. The famous singers were revealed to the contestants during their performance.

Hosts and Judging Panel

Rotem Sela remains the host of the show, alongside Assi Azar, one of the hosts of Eurovision 2019. Azar has been a host since the first season of HaKokhav Haba in 2013, while Rotem Sela took over as host from the second season, a role she continues to hold today.

The judging panel includes:

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

The Couples

Alma Mimun de Razon

Alma performed the song “Tamid Yachko Lech” by Leah Shabbat, accompanied by Eliana Tidhar and Lee Byrne. Her performance was described by the judges as emotional and harmonious, with her performance receiving warm applause and positive comments. Alma scored 96%.

Natalie Tsafar

Natalie performed the song “Atalef Iver” by Hanan Ben Ari, featuring singer Narkis. Her performance, although having a unique voice, was judged as inaccurate and lacking the necessary emotional peaks to express the song’s feelings. The judges noted that her performance did not convey the required emotional intensity, and she received 60%.

Moran Aharoni and Red Band

Moran Aharoni and Red Band performed the famous song “Chandelier” by Sia, with the participation of judge Shiri Maimon. Moran impressed with her strong and expressive voice. Their performance received positive comments from the judges, and they scored 75%.

Amit Sagie

Amit Sagie performed the song “My Lover Doesn’t See Me Anymore” by Omer Adam, featuring Orcoohen. His performance was described as emotional, with proper emotional depth and good vocal delivery. He scored 70%, and the judges agreed that his performance showed dedication and authenticity.

The Elimination of the Night

At the end of the night, the judges decided that Alma Mimun de Razon, Moran Aharoni with Red Band, and Amit Sagie would continue to the next round of the competition, while Natalie Tsafar’s journey ended here.

The winner of last year’s HaKokhav Haba and Israel’s representative for Eurovision 2024 was Eden Golan. Eden Golan, with her song “Hurricane,” finished in 5th place in the final ranking.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates regarding Eurovision 2025!

Source: euromix

Israel: Everything that happened in the 21st episode of HaKokhav Haba!

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Yesterday, Saturday December 28, the 21st episode of HaKokhav Haba, the singing competition through which Israel will select its representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, was broadcast.

With 15 artists participating, the continuation of the HaKokhav Haba duels phase began. Four pairs of contestants competed in this latest episode, where one of them was eliminated by the end of the competition process.

Hosts and Judges

In yesterday’s episode, the judging panel welcomed a new addition, the singer Nasrin Kadri. Rotem Sela continues to host the show alongside Assi Azar, who was one of the hosts of Eurovision 2019. Since the first season of HaKokhav Haba in 2013, Azar has been a host, while Rotem Sela joined from the second season and continues her role to this day.

The judging panel includes:

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

The Pairs

Nathalie Zafar and Udi Schneider
Nathalie chose to perform “Total Eclipse of the Heart”. The judges gave mixed feedback, and she scored 85%. Udi performed “Shir HaBricha”, received positive votes from the judges, scored 91%, and advanced to the Top 14.

Red Band with Moran Aharonia and Valerie Hamati
Red Band and Moran Aharonia performed “One”. Their performance failed to impress the judges, earning a score of 67%. Valerie performed “Desert Rose”, impressed the judges, and advanced to the Top 14 with a score of 74%.

Amit Sadeh and Aviad Klein
Amit performed “Kach Oti” and scored 71%. Aviad performed “Iris”, but with only 56%, he was left in the elimination zone.

Alma Maimon de Razon and Yuval Gold
Alma performed “Yellow Brick Road” and scored only 55%. Yuval performed “LeOlam BeIkvot HaShemesh”, delighted the judges, scored 90%, and advanced to the Top 14.

The Elimination of the Night

The contestants at risk of elimination were Nathalie Zafar, Red Band and Moran Aharonia, Aviad Klein, and Alma Maimon de Razon. Ultimately, the judges decided that Aviad Klein’s journey ended here.

The previous winner of HaKokhav Haba and Israel’s representative for Eurovision 2024 was Eden Golan. With her song “Hurricane”, Eden Golan finished in fifth place in the final rankings.

 

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the latest updates regarding Eurovision 2025!

Source: euromix

 

Israel: The Response to Slovenia’s Request for Disqualification from Eurovision 2025

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As it was revealed yesterday, the Slovenian public broadcaster RTVSLO has requested the disqualification of Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, which will be held in Basel, Switzerland, from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

The decision to request Israel’s disqualification from Eurovision was made during the last session of RTVSLO’s board of directors, held between December 9 and 11. The EBU has not yet responded to the Slovenian request but published the list of the 38 countries that will participate in the upcoming competition – including Israel – on December 12.

At this stage, no operational decision has been made in Slovenia, despite two additional proposals in case the EBU does not respond to the request: either Slovenia’s withdrawal from Eurovision 2025 or, contrary to competition rules, blacking out of the broadcast during Israel’s performance.

Israel’s Response

In response to Slovenia’s request, the Israeli public broadcaster referred to the words of lawyer Alon Galert in the Knesset’s Economic Committee earlier this week:

We are all familiar with the efforts made by anti-Semitic bodies and Palestinian actors to distance Israel from international institutions… The State of Israel fights against these attempts with all its might and invests tremendous efforts to prevent its removal from these international institutions. And now, the greatest slanderers of Israel in the world are about to get their way, not because they managed to convince the EBU to distance Israel but because we ourselves are about to cause our removal from an important international body with significant influence.

Anyone who thinks that this will end here is mistaken. The demand to distance Israel recurs and rises in many additional international bodies such as sports bodies, academic institutions, and cultural institutions… Israel’s removal from the EBU would be the first domino to create a domino effect and harm its membership in many additional bodies.

In any case, we are now awaiting the official response from the EBU and Slovenia’s reaction to the development of the issue, as the request for Israel’s disqualification from Eurovision 2025 remains open.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: euromix

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

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

Since its debut in 2015, HaKokhav Haba has been the main selection method for Israel, excluding the years 2022 and 2023. The show has achieved significant success, notably securing Israel’s Eurovision victory with Netta in 2018.

Though filming for this season began on October 10 at Neve Ilan Studios, on November 10 the official broadcast commenced on Israeli television.

The format

As we advance to the next stage of the contest, the judging panel has selected a total of twenty-one contestants.

In each episode, a number of these participants will take the stage on The Next Star. The contestant with the lowest score of the night will ultimately be eliminated from the competition, losing their chance to represent Israel in Basel for Eurovision 2025.

So far, two contestants have already been eliminated, leaving nineteen contestants still in the running.

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 last night’s episode of The Next Star, seven participants took the stage. Here’s a look at some of the standout performances:

  • Nati Livian: After delivering a captivating audition, Nati performed “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi. His performance was solid, and he demonstrated international potential. However, not all judges were impressed. Assaf Amdursky and Ran Danker did not vote for him, and Nati ultimately received a score of 77%.
  • Parfilab Mongoza: Dressed in a sparkling cream-colored dress and accompanied by backing singers, Parfilab performed “Lift Me Up” by Rihanna. The judges gave her overall positive feedback, with all but Itay Levi voting for her. Parfilab finished with a score of 84%.
  • Itay Paz: For his performance, Itay chose “Chom Yuli Ougost” by Shlomo Artzi. His emotional delivery, expressing a deep connection to the song, impressed the judges. They all voted for him, and Itay received a score of 85%.
  • Aviad Klein: Accompanied by dancers, Aviad performed “Bruises” by Lewis Capaldi. Despite a solid performance, the judges noted a lack of authenticity, with Ran Danker choosing not to vote for him. Aviad received a score of 77%, tying with Nati. However, Nati had a slightly higher score at a decimal point, leaving Aviad at risk of elimination.
  • Shira Knop: Shira is the only contestant this season to have been saved by the judges during the auditions. She performed “Eleanor Rigby” by The Beatles in the next stage of the contest. While she appeared confident, something seemed off, and Ran Danker did not vote for her. Shira received the lowest score so far, 70%.
  • Ily Avidani: Ily performed “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys, accompanied by his piano. His improvisations, however, did not impress the judges, with both Assaf and Ran opting not to vote for him. Nonetheless, Ily received a score of 76%, securing his spot in the competition.
  • Moran Aharoni and Red Band: In an intriguing collaboration, Moran and Red Band performed an English version of “Haim Lihiot Bach Me’ohav” by Aviv Gefen. The judges praised their performance, and they all voted for them. Moran Aharoni and Red Band received a 93% score – the highest of the night.

As Shira Knop received the lowest score of the night, she was eventually eliminated from the competition.

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.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the latest updates on the Israeli selection process!

Source: euromix

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

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

Since its debut in 2015, HaKokhav Haba has been the main selection method for Israel, excluding the years 2022 and 2023. The show has achieved significant success, notably securing Israel’s Eurovision victory with Netta in 2018.

Though filming for this season began on October 10 at Neve Ilan Studios, on November 10 the official broadcast commenced on Israeli television.

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 yesterday’s episode, six more contestants took the stage, and five of them advanced to the next stage of the competition. Here’s a look at some of the standout performances:

  • Eliad Peretz (23): A singer, keyboardist, and music producer, Eliad is about to release an album. Although his musical roots are in oriental music, he is currently into pop-indie and R&B. For his audition, Eliad performed a song by Ofer Levy and impressed the judges with his unique vocal style. All the judges voted for him, and Eliad received a score of 86%.
  • Itai Paz (20): With roots from the United States, Itai draws inspiration from country music. For his audition, he performed “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan. His charisma was evident, and although the judges were impressed, Ran Danker refrained from voting due to doubts about Itai’s suitability for Eurovision. Ultimately, Itai received a score of 79%.
  • Noa Danai (28): Originally from New York, Noa traveled to Israel specifically for her audition. She sang “Russian Roulette” by Rihanna, but the judges had mixed opinions on her performance. Ran and Shiri were not convinced by her overly technical approach and lack of emotional depth, which led them to withhold their votes. Noa received a score of 74%.
  • Shaf Blaash (27): Having previously participated in “The Next Star” in 2019, Shaf returned with a powerful performance of “Shki’ot Adumot” by Eden Hason. His natural talent stood out, and his interpretation was praised by the original singer of the song, who was present on the panel. All the judges except Itay Levi voted for him, and Shaf received a score of 82%.
  • Noam Levy (27): A survivor of the tragic events of October 7, Noam uses music as a way to process the emotional aftermath of the incident. She performed “Hagoleh” by Dudu Tassa in an incredibly emotional rendition. The authenticity and purity of her performance resonated with the judges, who all voted for her. Noam received a score of 89%.

The next episode of HaKokhav Haba will be broadcast Tuesday night.

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.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the latest updates on the Israeli selection process!

Source: euromix

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

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

Since its debut in 2015, HaKokhav Haba has been the main selection method for Israel, excluding the years 2022 and 2023. The show has achieved significant success, notably securing Israel’s Eurovision victory with Netta in 2018.

Though filming for this season began on October 10 at Neve Ilan Studios, on November 10 the official broadcast commenced on Israeli television.

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 tonight’s episode, five contestants took the stage, and four of them advanced to the next stage of the competition. Here’s a look at some of the standout performances:

  • Debbie James (36): Debbie, the daughter of a famous 80’s movie actor, brings experience to the stage, having previously provided backing vocals for Enrique Iglesias. For her audition, Debbie performed “Ain’t Nobody” by Chaka Khan, showcasing her charisma. Despite her strong performance, Assaf Amdursky and Itay Levi did not vote for her, leaving Debbie with a score of 70%.
  • Udi Schneider (21): Udi made a bold impression with his performance of “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga, capturing the attention of the judges with his energy. His performance was so powerful that all the judges voted for him, resulting in a score of 88%.
  • Roy Elbaz (20): A detective with the Israeli police, Roy Elbaz has a strong passion for music. For his audition, he performed a song by Bar Tzabary, delivering a confident and original interpretation. His performance impressed the judges, who praised his uniqueness. However, Assaf Amdursky did not vote for him and Roy received a score of 76%.
  • Natali Zafar (19): At just 19 years old, Natali Zafar is already a songwriter and composer. For her audition, she performed her original song “Hayti Lech,” which speaks about overcoming anxiety. Her heartfelt performance captivated all the judges, who voted in her favor. With an impressive score of 94%, Natali has proven herself to be one of the standout contestants of the season.

The next episode of HaKokhav Haba will be broadcast on Saturday evening.

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.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the latest updates on the Israeli selection process!

Source: euromix

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

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

Since its debut in 2015, HaKokhav Haba has been the main selection method for Israel, excluding the years 2022 and 2023. The show has achieved significant success, notably securing Israel’s Eurovision victory with Netta in 2018.

Though filming for this season began on October 10 at Neve Ilan Studios, on November 10 the official broadcast commenced on Israeli television.

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 tonight’s episode, six contestants took the stage, and five of them advanced to the next stage of the competition. Here’s a look at some of the standout performances:

  • Noam Chen (16): At just 16 years old, Noam Chen is already showing a lot of promise with his musical talents. He plays both the ukulele and the guitar and has a strong passion for rock music. Noam performed “Don’t Look Back in Anger” by Oasis, and his natural charisma and confidence on stage really impressed the judges. With unanimous votes from all of them, he scored an impressive 88%.
  • Niv Dagan (17): Coming from a musical family, Niv Dagan gave a heartfelt performance of “When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars. Her vocals were spot-on, and although she earned praise from most of the judges, Assaf Amdursky had some doubts, mentioning he wasn’t sure if she was ready for the Eurovision stage just yet. Despite this, Niv still earned a solid 86%, with everyone except Assaf voting for her.
  • Noa Lesri (20): Noa Lesri performed “Chomot Chimar” by Margalit Tzanani, bringing a natural and sensual energy to the stage. While the studio audience wasn’t totally sold on her performance, the judges were fully on board, and they all gave her their support, resulting in a score of 84%.
  • Esther Avka (30): A news anchor and popular TikTok content creator, Esther Avka took the stage to show she’s not just about her online presence, but also a serious artist. Despite receiving a solid 84%, Esther didn’t win over Assaf Amdursky, who chose not to vote for her.
  • Yuval Gold (25): Yuval Gold, a singer, music producer, and guitarist, wowed the judges with an original song titled “Be Nice.” His performance stood out for its unique style, and the judges didn’t hesitate to give him the highest score of the night, 96%. Yuval’s originality and musical talent are definitely setting him apart as a strong contender in the competition.

The next episode of HaKokhav Haba will be broadcast on Tuesday evening.

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.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the latest updates on the Israeli selection process!

Source: euromix

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

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

Since its debut in 2015, HaKokhav Haba has been the main selection method for Israel, excluding the years 2022 and 2023. The show has achieved significant success, notably securing Israel’s Eurovision victory with Netta in 2018.

Though filming for this season began on October 10 at Neve Ilan Studios, on November 10 the official broadcast commenced on Israeli television.

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 tonight’s episode, six contestants took the stage, and five of them advanced to the next stage of the competition. Here’s a look at some of the standout performances:

  • Elikir Keren (27): While serving in the military, Elikir Keren rediscovered his passion for music and decided to pursue his dream. Performing “Hagoral Haze,” his stage presence and charisma left a lasting impression on the judges. His powerful performance earned unanimous votes, resulting in an impressive score of 95%.
  • Harel Cohen (24): Working as a bartender, Harel Cohen took to the stage with an energetic rendition of “Lose Control“ by Teddy Swims. His performance brought life to the audience and received praise from most of the judges. However, Assaf Amdursky chose not to vote for him, and Harel finished with a score of 88%.
  • Uri Saban (21): Uri Saban has overcome personal challenges, including a diagnosis of stuttering, to find his true passion in singing, which allows him to express himself freely. Uri performed “Shirai Dika’on,” and his heartfelt rendition moved the judges. Despite Assaf Amdursky not voting for him, Uri received overwhelming support from the rest of the panel, finishing with a score of 86%.
  • Ofir Harosh (23): A multi-talented singer, model, and content creator, Ofir Harosh returned to “The Next Star” after previously competing in 2018, where she was eliminated early. This time, she performed “On My Own” by Nika Costa, showcasing her natural charisma and stage presence. Despite her strong performance, Shiri Maimon and Ran Danker chose not to vote for her, resulting in a score of 86%.
  • Valerie Hamati (25): One of the standout performers of the night, Valerie Hamati is no stranger to the spotlight. A runner-up on “The Next Star” in 2021 and a former participant on “Dancing with the Stars,” Valerie returned to the competition with her eyes set on representing Israel in Basel. Known for her Arab-Israeli heritage, she chose to perform “Sea Wind” by Ofer Levi, singing the chorus in Arabic. Adding an element of intrigue, Valerie performed wearing a mask to keep her identity concealed. Once she finished, the judges were stunned, and her true identity was revealed. Her powerful performance earned her a score of 93%, making her one of the favorites to win the coveted spot in Basel, displaying herself as a symbol of unity.

The next episode of HaKokhav Haba will be broadcast tomorrow evening.

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.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the latest updates on the Israeli selection process!

Source: euromix