It’s the Israeli Eurovision selection that was filled with over-the-top auditions, dramatic duels, emotional eliminations and plenty of talent. And on Tuesday we finally reached the grand final of Israel’s The Next Star for Eurovision 2019. Four acts sang, and in the end Kobi Marimi emerged as the winner, earning the right to sing for Israel at Eurovision 2019 on home soil.
Kobi Marimi is no doubt a fresh and original choice for Israel, and he was the one of the big favourites right from the start of the show back in November. He landed on the radar of Eurovision 2018 winner Netta very early as well: she named him her favourite moments after his audition. Standing 190 cm, he has a commanding presence. Yet his voice is somehow fragile and able to channel vulnerability, making him a gentle giant who sets hearts ablaze before tugging on their strings.
Tonight he won most of the jury votes as well as the televote. Call it a landslide. Ketreyah finished second among viewers and in the total result as well.
Now there’s one big question: What will Kobi Marimi sing at Eurovision? KAN together with the producers of The Next Star for Eurovision 2019 will now convene a panel to decide precisely that.
Who is Kobi Marimi?
Kobi, 27, looks a bit like Freddie Mercury. His first audition was quite impressive and dramatic. Kobi performed Beyoncé’s “Sweet Dreams” and completely turned the song upside down, moving it from a pop song to an emotional ballad.
We were speechless and so were the judges, hosts and audience. Judge Shiri Maimon said that this was the best audition she’d ever seen. The second audition impressed just as much, as Kobi is a real performer.
Curiously, he had been eliminated during the quarter-final but then won “a second chance” thanks to a stunning performance of “Knocking on Heaven’s Door”. Looks like God answered and now his dream to get to the Eurovision stage is becoming reality.
Links to all of Kobi’s perfomances during the season: “Sweet Dreams” | “Jar of Hearts” | “Mad World” | “Fuego” | “Circle of Life” | “Diamonds” | “This Is Me” | “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” | “Russian Roulette” | “Hallelujah” | “Always” | “Let It Be”
The finalists performance – “High Hopes”
The full results
Producers divided the show’s contestants into two duels according to their average scores during the season. During each duel the first artist sang in front of the judges and the audience. Their combined rating set the bar for their opponent. The voting process went as follows: each judge voted yay or nay, with a yay awarding the contestant a score of 3% (A total of 15%). The TV viewers voted in a similar way via a special smartphone application and the scores were added together during each performance (A total of 85%).
The opposing artist then sang behind a screen. If the opposing artist managed to beat the score of the first artist, the screen rose up, signalling that the second artist had won the duel. If not, the first artist won.
Each duel’s winner got to advance to the super final round. Then the audience saved one of the losers to advance to the super final, together with the two winners.
Duel 1: Ketreyah VS. Shefita
Ketreyah – “Locked Out Of Heaven” – Score: 68% (four judges votes)
Shefita – “My Way” – Score: 65% (five judges votes)
Duel 2: Maya Buskila VS. Kobi Marimi
Maya Buskila – “Euphoria” – Score: 54% (three judges votes)
Kobi Marimi – “Always” – Score: 79% (four judges votes)
Ketreyah and Kobi Marimi won their duel and advanced to the super final round.
The viewers were then asked to pick one of the losers to advance to the final round. Most of the viewers picked Shefita (meaning Maya Buskila was eliminated).
The super final
In the last round, there was no screen as all the artists performed their song in front of the audience. The performances by their running order were as follows:
Shefita – “Broken”
Kobi Marimi – “Let It Be”
Ketreyah – “Impossible”
The voting process
The voting began after all of the acts sang and the results were determined by a 50/50 split between the app televotes by the viewers and the judges.
Each judge on the judging panel in the studio could award points in the Eurovision method: 8 points for the third best act, 10 points for the second best act and 12 points for the best act.
In addition to the judges in the studio, there were also three expert juries. Each jury consisted of music experts and they voted in the same way as the judging panel voted (8, 10, 12).
The viewers could vote via a special app, where they had to pick their winner between the three acts and the votes were then converted to points that were equivalent to the total amount of points that were given by the experts juries and the judging panel in the studio, for a total of 270 points.
The judges votes
Keren Peles
8 points: Ketreyah
10 points: Shefita
12 points: Kobi Marimi
Static
8 points: Ketreyah
10 points: Shefita
12 points: Kobi Marimi
Assaf Amdursky
8 points: Kobi Marimi
10 points: Ketreyah
12 points: Shefita
Harel Skaat
8 points: Ketreyah
10 points: Shefita
12 points: Kobi Marimi
Ben-El Tavori
8 points: Ketreyah
10 points: Kobi Marimi
12 points: Shefita
Interval act: Netta – “Bassa Sababa”
The expert juries votes
Judges of previous singing reality shows (Gal Uchovsky, Tzedi Tzarfati , Margalit Tzan’ani)
8 points: Shefita
10 points: Ketreyah
12 points: Kobi Marimi
KAN’s hosts (Lucy Ayoub, Dafna Lustig, Avia Malka)
8 points: Shefita
10 points: Ketreyah
12 points: Kobi Marimi
Eurovision songs composers (Stav Beger, Kobi Oshrat, Yoav Ginai)
8 points: Ketreyah
10 points: Shefita
12 points: Kobi Marimi
The viewers votes
- Kobi Marimi – 113 points.
- Ketreyah – 87 points.
- Shefita – 70 points.
The Final scores
- Kobi Marimi – 215 points.
- Ketreyah – 165 points.
- Shefita – 160 points.
The winning moment
The Israeli song for Eurovision 2019
This year’s selection process only picked the singer and not the song. That means that just like last year, a special committee will now pick a song from a field of songs submitted to producers. The regulations were published a few weeks ago and stated that the deadline for submitting the songs is February 17.
The committee that will pick the song will include four representatives of KAN and two representatives of Tedy Productions (The producers of The Next Star for Eurovision 2019). The committee will include at least one woman from each one of the companies.
There will be three rounds of voting and in the third and final round (on February 24) the best songs that were recorded as demos will be heard and the winning song will be chosen.
The song and its music video are set to be revealed during March 2019 (before the Hod meeting that will take place on the March 10). We will keep you updated once we’ll get the news.
Can Israel win again with Kobi Marimi? How well do you think Israel can do with Kobi Marimi on home soil? Let us know in the comments box below!
FOLLOW ALL OF OUR ISRAEL EUROVISION NEWS
Photo credits: Ronen Akerman / The Next Star for Eurovision
He is amazing!!
Here’s to hoping that he won’t end up in the bottom like what happened to the entrants of previous host countries.
I’m disapointed… My least favorite candidate won… I am a big fan of musicals and broadway, but i just cant get excited with Kobi’s over the top teatrical performances. Either way, i will wait for the song to make a judgement.
Agree. And his voice does not sound natural and is unclear on the low notes (he needs some work). But every single judge and all the public wanted him, so not too much to argue with.
I was wondering, could Israel defy the “boring-ballad” predictions and surprised us by giving Kobi something cool to work with, maybe rock theatrics a la “Bohemian Rhapsody” ?
kobi needs a very good song and thats all, he needs a song that can show the range of his voice: small and sensitive and big and thearical…kobi is strong in transffering deep and strong emoitions, i hope someone can really write him a song that really fits his capabilitis which are IMO amazing!!!!
I think Doron Medalie can do it, but he could probably collaborate with Tomer Hadaddi (composer of Israel 2010) if the aim is on emotions. All we can expect is Kobi given a great song from whoever it is, and he can make it alive.
It was reported In Israeli media that Doron will not write a song this year.
There are much better composers in Israel than doron imo, it’s all about the song with kobi…it has to be a really good one that I hope can be written this year
I’m not Austrian, but I love Zoe’s song. Zoom it up, it’s even more fun.
Tom Cruise called. He wants you to join some club.
kobi is jewish but why does it matters???
What?
what is wrong with you people for judging him by his looks and appearance? literally stop being so rude and wait for the song.
actuall he is very handsome(:
What do you mean? He looks like Freddy a bit, and i adore Freddy so i alredy likes Kobi just for his appearance lol
Susane some people were judging his religion, called him a creep (especially a user called @ Winner or something) scroll all the way down and also a comment above mine proves my point.
Thats pity, we dont even know his song yet and people already hating on artist just becouse they dont like his look or his religion , thats so dumb…
i wish Kobi all the best anyway:)
i’ll wait until we have the song to judge but yikes….. the level of excitement is low
10th of March allegedly.
It might just be us, perhaps? Israel seems to be very happy and excited with this choice so we can wait for the song to make excitement rise.
Kobi didn’t win by a small margin and the people who voted for him are pretty smart about what works and what doesn’t at Eurovision. His voice is killer, and with a strong song he’s a lock to do alright. (I mean, I say that after Israel sends awesome ballads like Milim and Made of Stars that the juries love and the televote tanks, so it might be hard to please everyone).
I was in the studio yesterday, was gorgeous, I was with the ogae club most of us wanted ” shefita or kitria” but the result is unequivocal. The non amateurs of the competition decided, and we have to wait for the songs, and hope its be good
*yawn* I wanted Shefita or Kitria. I’m bored with the results .
Israeli watchers: did you all got that remark by Assadf ‘yalla kvar!’ I think we all know what was that all about LOL (ben-el joined him with his rebellion! )
lets whit for the song…
I’m i the only one that thinks he looks more like Borat ?
no, as harel the judge said: he looks like a mix of: freddie mercuri, borat and sam smith
I knew he would win and I know he will flop hard
I just hope that when he does, then Israeli people wouldn’t claim it’s because of antisemetism
You also didn’t like netta so your taste is the priblem
Are you real? What is this troll??
How can you say I don’t like Netta if there are so many comments of mine supporting her and literally saying “I love you Netta”???
I f***ing voted for Netta at the Next Star for Eurovision last year! Get your facts right.
Plus, my taste is not the problem, there is no right taste or wrong taste
The problem is in you thinking like that and spreading lies!
i remember well that she wasnt your favourite, i remember your comments in youtube…it is the facts and they are the truth…because she won you say suddenley that you like her..come on
Don’t you dare to lie me to and don’t even talk to me when you’re full of lies!
I will not stand it, got it??
Now I’m really pissed.
I won’t let people spread lies about me, sorry to tell ya
Netta wasnt your favorite, its a fact, whats the problem to admit it?…
Because that, my friend, would be a lie
And trust me, I’m not afraid to claim who’s my favourite and who’s not
Roy Moreno, just don’t pay attention please.
i will bring evidance no worries*(:
mmkay, I really want to see your “evidence” bc this is a comment Roy Moreno wrote :
“Definitely a deserved winner of Eurovision 🙂
She’s got everything, simple as that!
10/10”
on this article:
https://wiwibloggs.com/2018/04/20/wiwi-jury-israel-netta-toy/219291/
So please stop your nonsense rn.
yeah yeah, at the beginning he didnt want her to win only after the hype…
anyways, bashing the artist from your own country before the song was even released its shame, a big shame
A big shame to no one. With chances are you don’t like the “singer” or their essence, that’s okay to say it, even if it’s your own country–none was forced to have to like them, anyways. The act of shaming somebody for a prejudiced claim is, in fact, a shame.
… when you commented some things on the Madonna forum and you made it seem like it mattered. Good try.
QUOTE FROM THE ARTICLE: wiwibloggs.com/2018/02/13/israel-netta-barzilai-wins-next-star-eurovision-2018/216275/ (when Netta won “The Next Star”)
Roy Moreno: “(From Israel)
SO SO SO SO SO SO HAPPY that she won! I was so nervous last night and was voting like crazy! ?
She will do great! I trust her!”
End of discussion.
It’s only the start of the discussion…I’m talking about the comments before netta become favorite to win….
So we’re gonna have a boring ballad in English as the song then. At least if Ketriyah had won then we could have had an interesting R&B ballad but I am not confident that Kobi’s song itself will be that interesting.
A good song is a good song…what are you saying? There should not be ballad songs in the world?
I honestly didn’t think he would win. But I’m so happy! Kobi is always interesting. His voice touches me and he is very intelligent in his singing. I’m sure he’ll get the great songs he deserves.
Good luck!
Lord have mercy, but some fans this year are getting me really really down. Every single national final, every single selected song: “this isn’t that good, what a terrible year, we might as well stop watching,” etc. So much negativity! Going against the very spirit of what Eurovision is about: welcoming others in, no matter what they sound like, just because it’s amazing to have them all coming together as one. That’s why I love Eurovision, and why I love tuning in. In this divisive world of ours, it’s nice to have something that’s so unironically proud to celebrate different… Read more »
Don’t forget “sorry but (insert country) won’t qualify this year”, while literally everyone said this about every country
At first I was just thinking there are certain countries that seem to attract unusually large amounts of naysayers (the least fortunate and the most successful, to opposite ends of the extreme) but I can’t think of a single country people don’t b*tch and moan about at some point. It’s really frustrating. Can’t we just embrace the fact that they’re there in the first place? I can’t wait to go to Tel Aviv largely because I’m excited to meet people from so many countries, including a bunch I’ve never met people from before, and the last thing I want to… Read more »
Yeah I’m tired of that too, I get that people can have an opinion but there’s no need for it to turn it hate. In the end it’s all about having a good time and being together.
I often get the impression the a lot of the fans don’t actually like Eurovision at all.
I can’t tell if some folks are more fond of Eurovision or complaining about Eurovision.
THANK YOU. I’m really getting sick of all this negativity. It’s not like Eurovision is a life or death contest. I mean, yeah, it sucks if your favorite is placed low or your fave doesn’t win nationals, but does it matter in the end? No. Disliking a song is different than harassing every song or artist in the competition because “my favorite in the NF didn’t win waaaah”. I mean, look at Bilal from France this year. If you dislike his song, that’s perfectly alright. What’s not alright is when you send death threats and such to him, and unfortunately… Read more »
Joe, this is the best comment I’ve seen, agree, I guess some people are very frustrated and then come here to spill hate anonymously.
Congrats to Gili and everyone else here who picked Kobi. I was wrong about him winning – I’ll admit that. Also, while I still think Ketreyah has more potential at Eurovision, I will be the first to say she didn’t exactly light it up today in the final. Kobi brought his best and Ketreyah did not unfortunately. All of the judges picked Kobi over Ketreyah, so you can’t really argue with that.
His voice is disgusting, his looks are creeping me out even more than Salvador’s, and he sounds like a dying cat. No need to wait for a song to know that Israel will finish last for the first time ever with this kind of singer. What a shame after the stunning Netta!
Uhm guys, can we all, like… wait for the song? Since this is a SONG contest? How’d you know already that Israel is gonna be last? Just wait a bit, omg. Congratulations to Kobi.
Because he’s not capable of doing anything else. What we saw on the show – this is all he’s got to offer. He’s done the same thing week after week. So that’s the kind of song they’re going to give him, at best. And that kind of song never does well, unfortunately. If that’s not bad enough, he can’t move on the stage, he doesn’t have a memorable personality, his vocals are far from perfect… Plus, the fact that this is the host country puts it at even greater risk. This is a disaster waiting to happen. It’s simple math.
Ohh come on…take a rest…let’s see on may what will be with kobi..I guess you will eat your hat…you just don’t get kobi and that your problem…most of the people adore him and that’s why he won
Has he EVER done anything else? Sure, I’d love to see something else. I’ve been waiting for months, week after week. The judges told him to show something else, he never did. I wonder why.
Sure, “I don’t get him.” I get Netta, I get Shefita, but I don’t get Kobi. Get over yourself, will you?
Hun, he won because: 1)hype – that’s what happens when people get excited about a certain thing but don’t think far ahead. The same goes for the Shalva Band. 2)corruption. If you can’t see that you’re blind.
HONEY YOU GOTTA CHILL
I was chill and polite until Gili turned it nasty.
Gili didn’t turn anything nasty.
No, of course not. Scroll down:
“you will Vote for the worst song, no doubt about it, just because your taste is not something to talk about….”
Yeah I know, bc you instantly declared Israel to be the last place without knowing ANYTHING about the song. Honestly, it’s just nonsensical to discuss this with someone as ignorant as you.
Yes, and that’s my opinion. SHE was the one commenting to ME, and rather nasty. I already said why. As opposed to Gili, I gave full explanation, more than once. As ignorant as me? Please scroll down again, where you will find how ” ignorant” I am. Don’t make assumptions, please. As opposed to Gili, who just says over and over again that I “just don’t get it, Kobi is unique, he’s talented, blah blah blah…” I have legs to stand on. She obviously doesn’t have any real input. And obviously people prefer to ignore mine. Too bad for you.… Read more »
Yeah okay madam, now I am the obsessed one? You’re delusional. I downvoted ONE comment, the rest wasn’t me. Just stay away, I really wanted to be peaceful here, but you prefer to be ignorant… Bye.
Okay, so I may be paranoid. But I’m not the delusional one.
You know, I don’t think you even know the meaning of the word ignorant. Crack a dictionary, delusional “peace-maker.”
“Stay away” – I literally laughed out loud. Why don’t you stay away and take your delusions with you.
Sure, downvote. Or, you could point me to any evidence that he CAN do something else. Go ahead!
What do you mean, “corruption”?
You don’t know what kind of song he’s going to get. Just because you expect something, doesn’t mean it’s 100% gonna happen. Just chill! You have enough time to complain when the song is out and it actually turns out to be bad.
That’s what I’m saying – I do. Because he can’t do anything else. It’s not me saying, HE has proven that. They’re not gonna give him something he cannot do. If they do – we’ll get Imri Ziv 2.0. Is that what you had in mind? It could only be one of the two.
Don’t say I didn’t warn ya! You can downvote all you want, you just don’t like to hear it.
No wtf, I don’t mean “Imri Ziv 2.0.”. I was thinking about some kind of intimite, artsy indie ballad or something. I’m sure he can do this. Anyway, you don’t have to argue about that with everyone who doesn’t share your opinion. Why are you even so obsessed with this? Just breath for a sec and wait for the damn song.
Well that’s the only other option. Either we get a song that’s right for Kobi (meaning, just like all the songs he’s sung during the competition because that’s the only thing he’s capable of singing), or we’ll get a song that’s not right for him like they did with Imri where he couldn’t even get the high pitch right. Yes, the indie ballad is the first option. The Made of Stars option. Do you really and honestly think something like that has any chance in hell in the Eurovision? Actually, I was just arguing with you two. And I wasn’t… Read more »
I never freaking said he’d succeed, I just wanted people to wait for the song before complaining. If the song turns out to be bad – fine! Then complain about it. But not now. Nothing has been decided yet. And since when did “made of stars” come dead last? Must have missed that.
Again, that was my point. There’s only two options and they’re both bad. Made of Stars didn’t come last, but 1)Hovi was 10 times more experienced, his vocals were 10 times more precise – all the time, he was 10 times more confident and loose, and he had 1000 times more personality than Kobi. 2)Doron M. composed the last 3 songs from Israel, one of them is Netta’s. This time he’s not gonna be involved. 3)Israel wasn’t the host country. The math is timing + singer + song. Kobi doesn’t stand a chance, not anytime soon.
You just can’t stand it that people are not sharing the same opinion like yours on kobi…you are bashing him in a very rude way just because you wanted someone else to win for some reason..this is very nasty behaviour and you get the rikoshet for this…you don’t like kobi…it’s ok, you don’t have…all Israel is behind him and adore him, it’s enough…he sing songs with deep emotions and content..maybe it’s not your style and you look for trash pop…it’s ok but respect the artist snyways
I can’t stand it when people don’t listen or won’t think. I said it before, you’re entitled to your own opinion and taste. That’s fine. But you’re delusional if you see the writing on the wall but still won’t read it. I also said before that none of the final 4 had the full package. I also said that (as opposed to you) I’ve given it some thought, who would be the best choice to win – and it wasn’t Kobi. “For some reason?” Hun, I explained again and again the reasons. I addressed every single one of your claims.… Read more »
All of you are taking to a wall. Just stop and move on with your lives.
Oh my! I thought Sanremo 2019 has already done all the drama for this season. 😛
For every song or artist chosen, there’s at least 50 salty Eurofans claiming that country will be last/not qualify. It’s ridiculous as hel|. Just wait for the song and then we can judge.
And speaking of home country’s entries, Norway 2010 anyone?
Norway 2010 it can be.
It could also be Azerbaijan 2012. Or France 1978. Or Greece 2006. A home country being represented by a ballad isn’t necessarily a death knell!
I don’t think it is. But I just think it’s possible that we’ll get a song like this, not talking about the result.
Exactly, Skiwalko, I’m refering to Solli-Tangen’s type of song.
I think I’m in love with Assi Azar. Blushing uncontrollably every time I see him.
Wait until you see his husband…!
Saw him and… Nah. Assi with his killer smile wins my heart. 😛
i was really rooting for ketreyah ?. i’m sure they’ll send a ballad which isn’t really what i look for from israel but this is their year of experimentation kinda like portugal so to each their own. GOOD LUCK KOBI!!
Congratulations on the last place, Israel! Now the question is who do I vote for out of the rest of the countries…?
you will Vote for the worst song, no doubt about it, just because your taste is not something to talk about….
It’s not a matter of taste, Gili. That’s what you don’t get. It’s about a certain stage – the Eurovision. As opposed to you, I know what I’m talking about. I know Eurovision, I’ve taken vocal lessons and acting classes, I’ve done my homework. Not only Kobi is not as unique and talented as you think he is, his genre does not sit well with the Eurovision voters. That’s a fact.
Your fact only….I’m a musician as well and a good one so what? If you don’t get kobi’s talent as an artist that you declare you are, it’s time to take more lessons because such a unique talent with such stage presence and charisma you don’t see every day….
You may be be a musician, but you have zero understanding of the Eurovision, and I even doubt you’ve taken vocal lessons. So: His genre never wins the Eurovision and almost never makes it to top 10 – fact. Kobi’s vocals are far from perfect – fact. His only perfect performance was his last one. But can you really trust him enough to send him to a stage so much bigger? Next. He’s stiff – fact. Every theater, Broadway or off, every acting class, and every city has people who sing like him. Just because you don’t see people like… Read more »
What’s the matter, Gili? Cat got your tongue?
i think you forgot who won 2 years ago…..
How can you say that before Israel have a song? Not so good grades in school ;-)?
So Shefita did not win. So sad.
Alexa play “Hatrid mun sigra”
He won fair and square, and he’s got talent, no doubt. Let’s just hope KAN picks a song that suits him, cause we know what could happen otherwise (“Fuego”, “Diamonds”).
Who would have thought that after Netta and Eleni we’d have a huge sausage party in Tel Aviv?! I am sure there are even more to come. xD
Estonia will have either Uku or Viktor. Conan from Portugal, Hatari from Iceland, Chingiz from Azerbaijan etc. Well yeah. This will be a male dominated ESC year for sure.
If all of that would be true, it would bring some sort of an advantage to female performers–although this factor doesn’t really matter much.
I guess the Big 5 and the host country will only consist of male singers this year.
only Germany can give us female now
There’s 57% chance that Germany chooses female singer(s).
Or Germany could pull a Montenegro instead.
I was rooting for Ketreyah but I’ll be the first to admit she was really weak on the night. Kobi had two very strong and consistent performances. Watch the ending of “Let It Be” and you’ll understand why he got selected tonight. While Kobi is not my cup of tea nor was he my first choice to win, I put my trust in the team at Teddy Productions and KAN. Even before, but especially now that they’ve won, they just get how to produce a full ESC package. I believe in them to both pick the right song for him… Read more »
I agree with you. This was Ketreyah’s weakest performance and Kobi’s strongest. Based on tonight only he deserved to win, even though I think Ketreyah has more potential. She was best when she sang in Hebrew.
What a voice, what a personality, what a stage presence.
With the right song the sky is the limit for him…can win it again for Israel….amazing pick for Israel, very very unique, heart melting…
Hun, that’s the problem. There’s no “right” song for him – that was his limit. . And that limit does not win the Eurovision, ever. The entire season he’s done the same thing again and again, and his vocals weren’t even on point for most of the songs. Not to mention that after 3 years of acting school he’s still as stiff as a statue and nervous. There’s no hope for that to change 3 months before the Eurovision. And the worst part, they’ll give him a boring ballad, which is great news for anyone with a weak bladder who’s… Read more »
What a complicated final! I imagine they all feel relief once it’s over lol
I don’t know if someone noticed it, but the Big Five + host country this year is one big sausage party, where them girls at? :/
Well every single year it is the other way around so this is actually kinda refreshing xD there are already a lot of women confirmed for the semi finals.
yes , this situation is very bad and boring , i hope at least Germany to give us a women (the last country from direct finalist to select the artist/song)
So your opinion is: Men have boring songs, Women have good. haha OMG!
In my opinion it is not about gender, it is a song contest. It is about a song that is performed by a person, no matter what gender they have. Every year there are lots of women particitpating in the ESC. For me it doesn’t matter if the majority of particitpants is female or male. I’m a German woman and hope Germany will chose a good song and singer – and not necesserily a woman, just because all the other countries of the Big 5 chose a man.
I hope Doron Medalie will compose him a song. They will do a 1979 realness and win twice in a row
The worst of the four, but it all depends on his song.
Waiting for song, waiting another month.
What a SHAME!!
People were saying the same thing about Netta last year. Just sayin 😉
Netta was funny because he didn’t take herself seriously. He is absolutely convinced that overacting in everything makes him a great artist. A laughable case.
Netta absolutely took herself seriously as an artist. She just didn’t listen to the haters. Netta wasn’t going for funny, she was going for being divisive and sparking a conversation. Kobi, if it’s not obvious on this feed, is divisive and doesn’t listen to haters considering he won.
No they weren’t
Yasss! Freddie, I mean, Kobi, won!
‘Always’ was an amazing performance
Well deserved winner
Israel, you had better choices!
Proper judgement only after the song release.
Kobi is gonna be the Sabina Babayeva of Israel. His voice fits perfectly with Mizrahi and pop sounds! This is it. Proud of my country!!
Meh
You can expect nothing but a generic ballad song from him.
I don‘t think it‘s fair to hate on him based on his voice, my personal winner was Ketreyah but it‘s the song that matters in the end.
LOL, what a laughable creature is that?
Hey, he’s got a heck of a voice. Let’s hope the song’s good.
YALL WE ARE GONNA PULL OFF A HALLELUJAH!!! HE IS GONNA KEEP IT IN ISRAEL NEXT YEAR!!
Seriously the best choice for Israel- Israeli songwriters will eat him up and make his performance a masterpiece. Mark my words- TEL AVIV 2020!!!
SHUT UP by the real shefita
Shefita was fun. But I am worried the Arab-gimmick thing would just add gas to the flames of the “haters”, so good thing Kobi won…
Thank you, next
So I guess the whole “hosting country finishing last in the final” thing continues
They haven’t even picked their song.
What song couldn’t he destroy with his ridiculousness?
So true and what a shame when they had so much better choices to pick from:-(