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

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The fourth 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

In the “HaKokhav Haba” format, each contestant performs a song, with the aim of securing at least a 70% approval rating. This score is determined by a combination of live audience votes from those attending the studio and a jury panel’s vote. Each member of the jury can contribute a maximum of 10% to the contestant’s total score.

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:

  • Dolev Mendelbaum (16): Originally from Texas, USA, Dolev returned to Israel ten years ago and has been inspired by pop music ever since. Tonight, he performed “Jealous” by Labrinth, earning an 85% score from the judges. While his performance received unanimous support from the panel, it didn’t quite capture the audience’s attention in the studio.
  • Esther Guedj (27): After returning to Israel earlier this year from France, Esther chose to sing “Voila”, the French entry in Eurovision 2021 by Barbara Pravi. Although she struggled with some of the higher notes and seemed to mimic Pravi’s style, Esther still impressed the judges with her performance, earning a solid 86% score. However, Assaf Amdursky did not vote for her.
  • Nir Abdu (20): A professional singer who regularly performs at weddings and events, Nir performed “Nishba” by Haim Moshe, a well-known song in Israel with a Mediterranean flair. While his performance left mixed feelings among the judges, Nir received an 80% score. Once again, Assaf Amdursky chose not to vote for him.
  • Yuval Raphael: A survivor of the Nova festival on October 7, Yuval dedicated her emotional performance of “Anyone” by Demi Lovato to mental health issues, stemming from her own life-threatening experience. Despite not having professional performance experience, Yuval captivated the judges with her raw emotion, receiving the highest score of the season so far – an impressive 98%. Many are now speculating that Yuval could be Eden Golan’s successor.

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.il

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

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The highly anticipated Israeli selection process for Eurovision 2025 began tonight with the premiere of the first episode of HaKokhav Haba 2024. 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, tonight marked the official broadcast of the first episode on Israeli television.

The Format

In the “HaKokhav Haba” format, each contestant performs a song, with the aim of securing at least a 70% approval rating. This score is determined by a combination of live audience votes from those attending the studio and a jury panel’s vote. Each member of the jury can contribute a maximum of 10% to the contestant’s total score.

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:

  • Nati Livian (25): Performing “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” by Whitney Houston, Nati impressed the judges with his vocal abilities and received an outstanding 93% score.

  • KLÉR (22): Keller sang “Love On The Brain” by Rihanna. Her experience shone through, earning her a 96% score, and the judges noted her potential for Eurovision, comparing her to past Eurovision winner, Nemo.

  • Renana Boaziza (29): Renana performed “Finished” by Idan Amedi. Despite a solid performance, the judges questioned whether she was a good fit for Eurovision, and she scored 82%. Assaf Amdursky did not vote for her.

  • Ido Malka (26): Performing his original song “Psychopath”, Ido impressed the panel and received a 94% score, showing strong potential to represent Israel at Eurovision.

  • Daniel Weiss (29): Daniel dedicated his performance of “I’m a Guitar” by Benny Amdursky to the victims of the October 7th incident, as he tragically lost his parents in the Israeli-Hamas conflict. His emotional rendition earned him the highest score of the night—97%.

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.il

Israel: HaKokhav Haba will premiere on November 10!

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HaKokhav Haba returns as the selection format for the Israeli artist who will represent the country in Eurovision 2025. “The Next Star“, as it translates in English, has been used to choose all Israeli contestants in the Eurovision Song Contest since 2015, with the exception of 2022 and 2023. It has delivered outstanding results, including a win with Netta in 2018.

While filming has started at Neve Ilan Studios since October 10, it is now announced that the new season will premiere on November 10, marking the official start of Israel’s journey to Eurovision 2025.

HaKokhav Haba 2024

Rotem Sela will return to host the show alongside Assi Azar, who also hosted the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest. Since the show’s first season in 2013, Azar has hosted HaKokhav Haba, while Rotem Sela took hosting duties in the second season and has done so ever since.

The judging panel will include:

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

Their combined vast and varied experience guarantees a competitive edition that is both intriguing and difficult—certainly more so than the one from last season.

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 news!

Source: euromix.il

Israel: HaKokhav Haba will premiere in November!

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Back in July, it was confirmed that HaKokhav Haba will remain as the selection format for the Israeli artist who will represent the country in Eurovision 2025. This talent show has chosen all Israeli contestants since 2015, with the exception of 2022 and 2023. It has delivered outstanding results, including a win with Netta in 2018.

Moreover, new information about HaKokhav Haba’s eleventh season is revealed.

Filming has started

Filming for this year’s edition commenced at Neve Ilan Studios this morning, October 10, in front of a live audience. As a result, the search for Eden Golan’s successor will officially begin in November, when the new season premieres.

Judges and hosts

Rotem Sela will return to host the show alongside Assi Azar, who also hosted the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest. Since the show’s first season in 2013, Azar has hosted HaKokhav Haba, while Rotem Sela took hosting duties in the second season and has done so ever since.

The judging panel will include:

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

Their combined vast and varied experience guarantees a competitive edition that is both intriguing and difficult—certainly more so than the one from last season.

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 news!

Source: euromix.il

Bambie Thug: “The Israeli delegation’s violations are being investigated by the EBU”

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An EBU investigation is underway into alleged violations of the competition rules by the Israeli delegation, according to recent statements by Bambie Thug, who represented Ireland and finished in 6th place.

What charges does the Israeli broadcaster face?

Bambie Thug exposes several unlawful actions by KAN in a formal complaint that they filed to the EBU.

The first concern has to do with the Israeli commentators’ remarks about the Irish entry. During the show, the latter brought up Bambie Thug’s political views, claiming that their feelings about Israel are anything but favourable. The Irish delegation claims that as this influences viewers’ vote, it clearly violates EBU’s regulations.

The investigation also focuses on additional incidents such as the Eden Golan team’s persistent harassment of other delegations. The illegal filming of multiple participants is sone of those incidents. In fact, Bambie Thug, Nemo, and Marina Satti did not appear at the flag parade of the grand final dress rehearsal as a result of one of those events.

Bambie Thug stated in an interview with Ireland AM that more details will be made public after the investigation is over.

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news about the world’s biggest music competition!

Source: Esc Portugal 

Greece: “Marina Satti did not intend to offend the Israeli delegation”

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Marina Satti’s actions during yesterday’s press conference were generating a lot of attention from the media. Therefore, we asked the Greek delegation for a response. They were quite explicit and made it very apparent to us that Marina Satti never intended to offend Eden Golan or the Israeli delegation in general.

According to what we’ve been told, if you watched the full video instead of merely the part of Eden Golan’s statements, you would see that Marina Satti engaged with the panel of artists and the journalists in the same manner from start to finish of the press conference. Throughout the press conference, Marina Satti yawned, not to disrespect the Israeli representative, whom she wished luck for in the final on Saturday, but rather as a result of the demanding schedule and lengthy rehearsals of the previous few days.

 

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Israel: Eden Golan shares her Eurovision 2024 top 5

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Israel’s representative at this year’s Eurovision, Eden Golan, revealed through her personal TikTok account, her five favorite entries from this year’s contest.

Although Eden acknowledged that there are many great songs in this year’s competition, she singled out the following five entries.

  • Greece – ZARI – Marina Satti
  • Germany – Always on The Run – ISAAK
  • France – Mon Amour – Slimane
  • Italy – La Noia – Angelina Mango
  • Switzerland – The Code – Nemo
@golaneden_music there are soooo many great songs this year, but here are a few of my faves #eurovision2024 #אירוויזיון2024 #hurricane ♬ original sound – EDEN GOLAN

Eden Golan will represent Israel with the song “Hurricane”, which she will perform in the second semi-final on 9 May.

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the Eurovision 2024 updates!

Sweden: The Eurovision facilities in Malmö are being vandalised!

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There is no doubt that the protracted turmoil in the Middle East has had an impact on the Eurovision Song Contest this year in a number of ways. A few examples are the arguments regarding Israel’s participation and the Palestinian-born Bashar Murad’s involvement at the Icelandic national final.

Reactions keep coming in, this time in the contest’s host city .Specifically, one of the billboards advertising Eurovision 2024 that are erected throughout Malmö has been vandalised. In particular, the contest’s slogan, “United by Music”, was written on the sign after it had been covered in red paint, seemingly as a mockery at the EBU’s decision to allow Israel compete. He etched the words “Free Gaza” at the end. The political nature of this year’s competition is practically reinforced by the aforementioned.

In spite of the reactions, Israel participates in the competition with Eden Golan‘s “Hurricane”, which addresses the events of October of last year.

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the Eurovision 2024 updates!

Source: Aftonbladet

The impediments of Israel’s Eurovision 2024 participation seem to have been lifted

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Up until today, there was uncertainty about Israel‘s participation in this year’s Eurovision. It has been questioned if the country would be able to participate after the EBU rejected two songs because of the political context of their lyrics. But it appears that this problem has been resolved.

The report mentioned above has been published by Ynet, which has previously been the source of numerous leaks regarding Israel’s participation this year. More precisely, the EBU has approved the revised lyrics of the song that KAN, the country’s public broadcaster, submitted, meaning that the impediments have now been lifted, according to sources from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Hurricane”, the song that Eden Golan will perform in May, was written by  Stav Begar (who co-wrote and produced “Toy”, with which Netta win Eurovision 2018), Avi Ohion, and Keren Ples (who participated on the “The Star Next” judging panel).

The above information remains to be confirmed by the EBU.

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the Eurovision 2024 developments!

Source: Ynet

Israel: Everything that happened in the eighteenth HaKokhav Haba episode! | Seven artists are still in the race!

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The eighteenth episode of HaKokhav Haba (special edition), the talent show through which Israel‘s representative for Eurovision 2024 will be selected, aired on Monday, January 22

Out of the 35 artists who made it beyond the audition stage, 14 advanced to the battle phase, where they compete to represent their country in Eurovision 2024

In episode eighteen, four battles aired and seven more artists went through to the next round. Assi Azar and Rotem Sela, who have been hosting HaKokhav Haba since 2014, are the show’s presenters. The jury is made up of Eden Hasson, Shiri Maimon, Itay Levy, Assaf Amdorsky, Ran Dankar, and Keren Pels.

Therefore, eight competitors then gave performances in front of the judges and audience. Nevertheless, the jury ultimately selected one of the three performers with the lowest score to be eliminated.

Mika Moshe VS Dor Shimoni

Mika opened the show with Diana Golby’s song “Hey Tom,” which she had previously sung at her first audition for the television programme “Music School.” Mika, who is only 16 years old, has a beautiful, captivating voice and delivers a very mature performance. With a 97% score, all judges gave her a favourable vote.

On the other hand, Dor decided to play Shimon Buskila’s song “From the river to the sailors (Ya Mama)”. The song’s style fits Shimon’s age and although though it’s a “classic audition song”, it still manages to impress the majority of the judges, earning an 81% score.

Mika Moshe prevailed in the duel and moves on to the next round.

Leanne Byrne VS Oral Ravid

Leanne decided to perform the song “Out Here On My Own” and dedicate it to everyone who is missing a loved one. Her voice is really unique, and her vocals are spot on. With an 82%, Leanne was unable to persuade every judge.

Oral selected the song “Believe” by Idan Raichel, Pen Chazot, and Dolev Ram. He performs an Israeli tune again, as usual. Without a doubt, he has enormous potential to launch a successful career in Israel. He was given another chance to perform, but this time the judges weren’t convinced, and he only received a 59%.

After winning the duel, Leanne Byrne moves on to the next round.

Eden Golan VS Shay Tamino

Eden sang a rendition of Jessie J’s song “Masterpiece.” She is undoubtedly one of the musicians that offers a fresh and captivating sound in each episode. This girl can definitely do extremely well at Eurovision, even though her previous performances have been better. Eden received 83% of the vote, with all judges voting in favour except one.

Shay Tamino decided to perform Demi Lovato’s song “Warrior.” The song’s inspiration stems from Shay’s decision to withhold certain memories from her early life. With only two judges voting against Shay, she received a final score of 73%.

After winning the duel, Eden Golan moves on to the next round.

Or Cohen VS Arik Sinai

Or Cohen closes the show. He is among the season’s most unexpected competitors, having been regarded as a certain qualifier and even a lock for the victory. With the support of every judge, he received 94% of the vote.

Arik decided to perform Shlomo Artzi’s song “Tagidi.” He has remained in the competition largely due to his “conversational” style. While the public was not delighted with Arik’s singing, the judges all voted in favour, and he received a score of 79%.

Or Cohen prevailed in the duel and moves on to the next round.

Oral Ravid was ultimately chosen by the judges to be eliminated from the show out of the four artists that were defeated in their dueling matches. There are currently just seven contestants left to represent Israel in Eurovision 2024.

The 7 artists still in the running to represent Israel in Eurovision 2024 are:

  1. Leanne Byrne
  2. Eden Golan
  3. Arik Sinai
  4. Shay Tamino
  5. Or Cohen
  6. Mika Moshe
  7. Dor Shimoni

Israel qualified for the finals every year from 2015 to 2020 through HaKokhav HaBa, and Netta won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2018 with the song “Toy”.

Israel was represented last year by Noa Kirel and the song “Unicorn”, which came in third placewith 362 points overall.

Stay tuned on EurovisionFun to stay up to date on all the latest news about the world’s largest music competition!

Source: Euromix