Wonder Woman Gal Gadot has already said she’s too busy to host Eurovision 2019. And now Israeli broadcaster KAN is busy trying to pin down other Israelis who have the charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent to steer the world’s biggest musical extravaganza.
Y Net, the Israeli newspaper that broke the news about Gal Gadot, has today published what it says is a shortlist of public figures that KAN is keen to approach. Although no formal letters or e-mails have been sent, these are the names being whispered behind closed doors.
Our readers may be familiar with model and socialite Bar Refaeli, who Israeli Eurovision fans have mentioned in many a Facebook group.
She’s considered one of the most successful models ever to come out of Israel, and has graced the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue and topped Maxim‘s “Hot 100”.
Forbes has estimated her personal wealth at $20 million. The mother of two puts that money to good use, and boy can she turn a look.
So much so that I once had to write a story for the MailOnline entitled “Pregnant Bar Refaeli shows off growing baby bump in skintight maternity wear in stunning Instagram pic.” (LOL).
Most importantly, Bar is the host of Israel’s X Factor, which airs on a rival network. Does her current contract allow her to work for another broadcaster, even if temporarily?
Another internationally known name being considered is Natalie Portman. The Oscar winner — who once dreamt she danced the black swan — was born in Jerusalem, but she grew up in the United States. She came to international fame as Padmé Amidala in the Star Wars franchise before putting her acting career on hold to attend Harvard. Since then she’s gone from strength to strength as the face of the Miss Dior fragrance and the star of films like No Strings Attached, Thor: Dark World and Knight of Cups.
However, and as Y Net admits, it’s a long shot that KAN would actually ask her.
In April she declined to accept the 2018 Genesis Prize, which honours a person who has “attained excellence and international renown in their chosen field” and “embodies the character of the Jewish people.”
Referencing Israeli military violence against Palestinian demonstrators along the Gaza border, she said that “recent events in Israel have been extremely distressing” and that she did “not feel comfortable participating in any public events in Israel.”
The government subsequently accused her of betraying Israel.
Other potential Eurovision 2019 hosts
The other names on the list include a wide range of figures known within Israel. They are: news anchor Geula Even Saar, actress Ayelet Zurer, actress and producer Noa Tishby, model and moderator Galit Gutman, actor and moderator Guy Zuaretz, sensory artist Lior Suchard, television personality Erez Tal, singer Esther Rada, actress Meirav Feldman, and news anchor Romy Neumark and comedian Dudu Erez. Special shout out to one other candidate — Lucy Ayoub, KAN’s TV presenter who gave Israel’s jury points during Eurovision 2018.
What do you think? Do any of these potential hosts float your boat? Is Bar your favourite at the moment? Do you think Natalie would have any interest? Let us know down below.
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Netta has no hosting experience and very little tv experience. I assume there will be a lot of her as interval act etc. but I don’t think she’ll be hosting.
As an Israeli a lot of us will be legitimately mad if Natalie were the host. Because Natalie only lived in Israel in her childhood, and for what she did with the awards.
Not like Natalie would be to be the host anyway
3 Words: DANA INTERNATIONAL HUNNY!
Well, aside from Gal Gadot and Amir, my other choices are Infected Mushrooms and Borgore.
I’m going to second CyxCy’s suggestion of Amir. He has capably been part of Eurovision events as both performer and judge, he’s reliably charming, he’d be a wiz for the French-translation portion, and Most Importantly: he can actually perform competently as part of an entertaining interval act!
(and he lacks rival broadcaster issues and Hollywood movie-shooting-schedule conflicts)
And of course he has a deep connection to Israel… C’mon…
Hovi Star is the only reasonable choice for Israel!
Didn’t Natalie Portman just recently refused to travel to Israel and not accept the award? If so, why would she do it to host Eurovision?
Does anybody else knows the Israeli singer Lina (song “Dance Sucker”)? She would be great as an entrant but also as a host ^^
Lina is amazing, don’t know about her hosting abilities but she’s one helluva singer.
Well, if the only criteria is being jewish, then maybe they could go for Daniela Ruah again… after all she got the experience… (being ironic…)
Why should some U.S. American actress of Jewish descend be qualified to host Eurovision in Israel?! There is no connection! Being Jewish is not equal with being Israeli
Relax, she won’t host it even if her life depends on it. She’s an oscar winning hollywood star. Why would she want to host Eurovision?
You do know that she was born in Israel?
It’s okay, nobody really wants her to host anyway.
She was born and lived as a young child in Israel. She also speaks quite decent Hebrew.
Natalie Portman? She would never want to host, she is not a Daniela Ruah.
What is that supposed to mean?…
Nobody knew who Daniela Ruah was before this year’s Contest. Even in America, no one knew who she was. The show that she’s on, NCIS LA, never highlights her in the press. They discuss LL COOL J, Wilmer Valderrama, and other cast members. She got her ’15 minutes of fame’ at the Contest.
Btw dudu erez and mirav feldman hosted a show about eurovision just before the semis and the grand finale started
Lior suchard would be an amazing host
Fran Drescher (The Nanny) Please !!!
Indeed, Bar Rafaeli would be the host of the situation, since she is already associated with a musical event (X Factor) and has an international career. Nathalie Portman, I believe less, this exercise is still very far from that of an Oscar-winning actress, and then she has no real connection to the world of modern music. Apart from that, I feel that good things can happen on the side … Of Amir! He started his career in Israel in a first TV contest before doing “The Voice” in France. Then participate in Eurovision. Now he is known even in the… Read more »
Omg I hadn’t thought about that one, even being a French, but this would be awesome! He speaks perfect English, Hebrew (duh) and that would be sooo classy to have decent French translation for the first time since Petra and Måns. Diva would be lovely hosting too. And apart from that, since they mentioned Geula Even Saar, why not also think about Michal Rabinovitch or some journalist from Reshet/Keshet (I once heard one who spoke English with no accent). News anchors surely would be comfortable with it since they deal with millions of viewers on a daily basis, and Judith… Read more »
Will people be angry at Amir in France if he would host it?
Why would we? It’s not like we own him he can make his own choices. He’s loved in France and I believe he’d make a great host since his connection to Eurovision is obvious ! I still think Dana International would be perfect for this. Maybe both!
I like the idea of Dudu Erez hosting, he is really funny and giving it to him would be thinking outside the box. Not your typical Eurovision Host!
As his counterpart I would love to see Noa Tishbi, Moran Atias or Esther Rada – they may have a pretty face, but it’s not all they have going for them.
There are many good options, hope they make a fun, entertaining and clever choice. No obvious bland hosts like Guy Zuaretz or Bar Refaeli please, Give us something bold and fresh, just like TOY was.
Meirav Feldman will be perfect for the roll she’s beautiful and so easy and comfortable to watch she’s very talented
Why not to bring a comedian actor? Eyal Kitzis? Alma Zak? Even Tom Yaar or Adi Ashkenazi. Bringing a news anchor is a horrible idea, those people are way too official. Erez Tal has the same problem, he’s pretty much nothing without some sort of a ridiculous “funny” side kick. Bar Refaeli is way past her peak, and usually looks grossed out by the people surrounding her. I think the host supposed to be versatile, with a capability to be funny, act, and even sing. Assi Azar and Rotem Sela are trying painfully too hard to be cute, laughing their… Read more »
I too hope they go with a comidian as I love Israeli humor!
I think Assi Azar and Rotem Sela are a good couple for hosting
Just listen to me (and I know these people well as an Israeli). Assi Azar, Rotem Sela and Erez Tal will be great hosts. A) They are all funny and likeable. B) They all know each other and host/have hosted shows together, so they’ve got good chemistry. C) Good hosting skills, very important. D) Pretty diversed – a woman, a gay person and a heterosexual person (it’s not like they are famous because of that, they really are talented and interesting, the diversity is just a bonus). Either Assi or Rotem can host the green room as they are both… Read more »
A) They are mostly funny and likeable in their own eyes. So many people can’t stand Assi Azar and his over forced “cuteness”.
B) They wouldn’t be able to do a music, comedy or a dance number. All they will be doing is reading texts from cards (that’s what they always do).
C) There must be better choices. Unfortunately, they are friends of all the right people, so they have an advantage.
Why do the hosts have to dance or sing? They are there to host it…
Every famous person has fans and haters anyway :\
Because Mans and Pietra, they were entertaining. Hosts that just.. host are usually seem awkward, dry and underwhelming. There were so many mediocre, bland and bad hosts during the years, that i’m afraid that it is not trivial to have good and entertaining hosting in this event
Lucy ayoub and/or lucy aharish would be a great idea. Also, noa tishby, ayelet zurer, erez tal, meirav feldman, asi Azar and rotem sela are all great options. Bar rephaeli isn’t a very good host in my opinion so it’s a no from me. Also, Natalie Portman is a bit silly option. A, because I don’t see any reason she would want to do it and B, because although she was born in Israel and has a strong connection to it, she is still American. I think the Eurovision is an opportunity to show the talents we have here
what about ALONA TAL ??? She is a better option than Bar
or Yamit Sol
I want someone who stills lives in israel.
they need to push for Gal as this would create a lot of buzz and it will help Israel’s image. Greece booked Maria Menounos, i am sure Gal Gaddot can reschedule her plans.
She probably can’t free up the WEEKS of time it would be to be on site for rehearsals and preparation … but it would be absolute genius if she could provide something pre-recorded, or be a surprise part of an interval act, or the like.
Bar is the host of The X Factor, which is broadcast on Kan’s rival network. I doubt that will happen. Natalie won’t do it since she refuses to take part in public events in Israel, and many Israelis don’t consider her “Israeli enough” when compared to the likes of Gal Gadot and Bar Refaeli. I would like to see Assi Azar from Kohav Haba, Ester Rada a World-famous singer, and Lucy Ayoub the presenter for Israel’s points last year. Maybe a Dana International cameo in the mix? They represent the beautiful diversity in Israel. A gay Mizrahi, Ethiopian, and Arab… Read more »
So no Ashkenazis allowed? That is a “beautiful mix”?
Dana International is half Romanian Jew. And I guarantee you the artist representing Israel this year will be Ashkenazi.
how can you know that? like we choose nadav two years ago and he wasn’t ashkenazi. also why does it matter? we are all israeli jews . just bring one jew and one arab if you care about diversity
?
Assi Azar?! You insane? He’s such a douchebag
He’s a recognized face in the Eurovision community, LGBT community, and overall Israeli society. He has good English, good humor, and is a very typical Israeli.
he is also very eurovision awkward which is the best type of awkward
Well KAN isn’t bound to Teddy productions just because they host their preselection. It’s their right to determine who produces the show and they are in control of everything since the Singer is selected.
Politically they won’t do it. They’re not going to reach out of their inner circle since it’s a government owned channel. Bad picture to paint for the government, which we know is pulling the strings behind the scenes.
Galit Gutman is beautiful, but not too impressed by her performance during “Israel Calling”.
Oh no I hope that they won’t choose her…
And her English is AWFUL
First