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

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Last Saturday, December 21, the 18th episode of HaKokhav Haba, the song contest through which Israel will select its entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, which will take place in Basel, Switzerland, on May 13, 15 and 17, 2025, was broadcast.

The next phase of HaKokhav Haba began with 18 contestants, which is the duet phase. Five duets competed in this episode, where one of the contestants left the competition at the end of the competition process.

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

The duets

Keller and Nati Levian

Keller and Nati performed Rihanna’s “Stay.” All judges gave this first couple a positive vote, reaching 94%, thus setting the bar very high for the other four couples.

Udi Schneider and Yuval Gold

Udi and Yuval performed Osher Cohen’s “Love.” Two (Assaf and Itay) of the six judges voted against it, resulting in a score of 68%.

Red Band feat. Moran Aharonia and Amit Sadeh

Red Band and Moran Aharonia with Amit Sadeh performed “I See Red” by Everybody Loves An Outlaw. All members of the jury voted in favor, and this duet reached 91%.

Uri Saban and Ilai Avidani

Uri Saban and Ilai Avidani performed Moshe Peretz’s “Signs of Time.” Two (Assaf and Keren) voted against the duet’s performance, narrowing it down to 63%.

Valerie Hamati and Daniel Weiss

Valerie Hamati and Daniel Weiss performed Israel’s entry to the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, “Hurricane” by Eden Golan. All members of the jury voted in favor, and the pair reached 95%, securing their place in the next stage of the contest.

At the end of the competition, the duet of Uri Saban and Ilai Avidani had the lowest percentage, 63%, and the judges decided that Uri Saban’s journey ended here.

Last year’s winner of HaKokhav Haba and thus the country’s representative at Eurovision 2024 was Eden Golan. Eden Golan, with her song “Hurricane”, finished in fifth place in the final ranking.

Source: euromix

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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

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