The search for a new singer who is Made of Stars kicked off this week in Israel with the first episodes of The Next Star for Eurovision 2017, the singing reality show that will choose Israel’s representative for Eurovision 2017 in Kiev. This season features new judges and some familiar contestants who you’ll recognise from both Eurovision and Israel’s national selections of yesteryear.

As last year, the auditions phase works like this: each contestant sings behind a screen and if they achieve a score of at least 70%, the screen rises and they advance to the next round. Each judge votes yay or nay, with a yay awarding the contestant a score of 10%. The audience in the TV studio votes in a similar way via a special smartphone application and the scores are then totted up.

WEEK 1 QUALIFIERS

Diana Golbi
Diana is not a new face on Israeli TV, as she won Kokhav Nolad (A Star Is Born), one of the most popular shows in the country, in 2010. She’s subsequently released two albums and taken part in a series of musicals while studying acting. The judges were surprised to see her, but she explained that she’s determined to win another competition in order to get to the Eurovision stage. The judges were very impressed by the rawness of her voice, which is very “Mei Feingold” Eurovision 2014.

Audition score: 95% (votes from four judges) 

Imri Ziv
Imri knows Eurovision very well. In 2015 and 2016 he served as a backing singer for the Israeli acts. He really wants to return in 2017, but this time as the lead singer. He studies media at university and works as a singer in a special group called “Caliente”, which performs at private events. The judges couldn’t help but comment on his amazing look — but also praised his voice and charisma.

Audition score: 93% (votes from four judges)

 

Hally (Hallelujah) Lewis
Born to an Israeli mother and an African-American father, Hally charmed the judges with her unique swag even before she started singing. She might not have the best vocals in the show, but her special groove and performance will make you feel so good. Is she the female version of Nadav Guedj? Yes, she’s our golden girl!

Audition score: 87% (votes from four judges)

 

Ta-La-Te
Talate means “three” in Arabic, which is also the number of members in this group. They sing in the Oriental/Mizrahi style (which is very popular in Israel) and clearly know how to party — most of the judges wanted this party to keep on rocking and voted them through.

Audition score: 75% (votes from three judges) 

 

Judy Layne Bernstein
The oldest contestant ever to take part in a televised singing audition in Israel, this 89-year-old is amazing. You must watch her presentation video. She’s not that young, but she’s hilarious!

Judy was born in London and has traveled around the world as a TV and theater star, and she spent the last 22 years in Israel. She sings pretty well, but that voice isn’t going to get her that far in the contest. Even so the judges couldn’t resist her charm and sent her through.

Audition score: 81% (votes from three judges)

 

Lee Sabach
A minute before her audition, while talking with the judges, Lee confessed that she suffers from anxiety. But once she started singing it really helped calm her nerves and the judges almost started to cry. Tug on those heart strings, girl!

Audition score: 79% (votes from three judges)

 

The Beatbox Element
As the name suggests, this group doesn’t use any instruments or playback: They create their music through their voices alone. They’re all former members of “The Voca People” and managed to impress the judges with their polish and cohesiveness.

Audition score: 91% (votes from four judges)

 

Sapir Nahon
Sapir currently sings in a military band. Her little brother reached the final of a famous kids’ talent show in Israel, where he met the judge of The Next Star for Eurovision 2017, Keren Peles. Sapir got the judges so excited they all voted for her quite quickly, but then she got so emotional she barely managed to keep on singing while wiping away her tears. Awww. Thankfully she held it together and made it through.

Audition score: 88% (votes from four judges)

 

Osher Biton
Eighteen-year-old Osher mainly sings in the Oriental/Mizrahi style. He thrilled the judges with his emotional singing and drew comparisons to a successful Israeli singer named Omer Adam.

Audition score: 77% (votes from three judges)

YOU CAN WATCH THIS WEEK’S EPISODES OF THE NEXT STAR FOR EUROVISION 2017 ON THIS LINK.

The auditions will continue in the coming weeks. This year’s edition will be relatively shorter than last year’s, and will end by March. Unlike last year’s competition, the winner will select his or her Eurovision entry after the contest has finished.

Which artist do you like the most so far? Who do you think would do well for Israel at Eurovision?

FOLLOW ALL OF OUR ISRAEL EUROVISION NEWS HERE

28 Comments
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AngieP
AngieP
7 years ago

Really good first week! I was totally amazed by the first one and the last one. Diana is a great singer, the song she sang was amazing!
Osher reminded me of entries like 2008, 2010, 2013, with a strong character. The ones you say: oh, this is Israel. You recognize them. I really love when Israel brings its traditional style at ESC.

(J)ESC Fanatic
(J)ESC Fanatic
7 years ago

Israel has had the most underrated Eurovision entries ever, 2013 and 2014. Robbed masterpieces.

Anfrers
Anfrers
7 years ago

I’ve been loving every Israel entry since 2011, I really don’t know what you guys are talking about x’D

Donna
Donna
7 years ago

If the old lady is to make it to Eurovision, I suggest she gets a power ballad (something like Quedate Conmigo or Undo) or an upbeat song. It’s either those or everyone will think Israel’s entry is melancholic.

Kakošn?
Kakošn?
7 years ago

The winner have to be honnest and moving and that’s the old lady. She was amazing and made me cry, with a good song, I think she might be in a top one.

Maya G
Maya G
7 years ago

@esc1234 Yeah it’s taped, but I think only the audition episodes are.

esc1234
esc1234
7 years ago

why there are subtitles? the show is taped?

Polegend Godgarina
7 years ago

Israel has truly been a disappointment for me too, their last song I enjoyed was The Fire in Your Eyes from 2008. Hopefully they get it right this time around and they won’t qualify through jury votes despite being 16th in the semi. This show’s voting system is a bit messy lol

Kermit
Kermit
7 years ago

I think Israel has been disappointing in ESC recently…apart from “Time” (2012). They need to find the “groove” again. So much kitsch in recent years. Both musically and visually. I liked “Golden Boy” though

Marco
Marco
7 years ago

Diana slayssssssss

dutchie
dutchie
7 years ago

Diana Golbi sounds like Cher 🙂 She has a good, characteristic voice though.

D. J. D.
D. J. D.
7 years ago

Judy Layne Bernstein is THE BEST!

Erin
Erin
7 years ago

Speaking of that rawness and raspy sounding voice, Mei Finegold just recently returned to prime time after a long absence for a salute show to the annual Israeli song festival which ran between 1960 to 1980. She performed a song from 1969 called ‘Prague’, more commonly known as ‘A song I dreamt of Prague’ which was originally performed by the late Arik Einstein…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ScBzoN9Xfo
The original audio version as was performed back in 1969 is here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zzfl4TAMP-8

Maya G
Maya G
7 years ago

Sorry, THIS is the the correct link for the live stream of the show (this channel is active only Sunday through Tuesday):
http://www.mako.co.il/mako-vod-live-tv/VOD-6540b8dcb64fd31006.htm

Maya G
Maya G
7 years ago

@mocosuburbian 21:00 (Israel Standard Time) on Mondays and Tuesdays. You can watch it live here (add-blockers need to be disabled in order to get access to the live stream):
http://www.mako.co.il/mako-vod?partner=NavBar#/mako-vod-live-tv/VOD-efacf0702f3fd31006.htm?sCh=2638c5b7cd109510&pId=1713736275
I’m hoping for anything other than a tired Eurovision clichĂ© like Hovi Star, and it seems that the show is indeed oriented towards something more unique this year.

an esc fan
an esc fan
7 years ago

In my opinion, after party song Golden Boy from 2015, and after modern ballad Made Of Stars from 2016, Israel should try something like Osher Biton’s song.

an esc fan
an esc fan
7 years ago

If the senior lady Judy Layne Bernstein will go to ESC she needs a happy song, like Buranovskiye Babushki had, because a sad or melancholic song will look that she wants sympathy votes and this will not take her far.

Mei International
Mei International
7 years ago

Diana ftw

Dave
Dave
7 years ago

We need that Oriental/Mizrahi style at Eurovision. Absolutely beautiful! Osher was amazing, that voice blew my mind.

mocosuburbian
mocosuburbian
7 years ago

thanks Idan! although it looks like it wants me to pay to watch the reruns ugh

cover girl
cover girl
7 years ago

lets all hope diana golbi wins, shes clearly the best singer here. i recommend you watch her audition if you stil havent

(J)ESC Fanatic
(J)ESC Fanatic
7 years ago

Loving Diana’s and Sapir’s voices.

(J)ESC Fanatic
(J)ESC Fanatic
7 years ago

Awww, the old lady’s effort is so moving! And OMG, I can’t believe how hot Imri is.

Idan
Idan
7 years ago

Every Monday (Long episode) & Tuesday (Short episode) at 21:00 Local time.

Direct link for all episodes in Mako website:
http://www.mako.co.il/mako-vod-keshet/the-next-star-S4?partner=SecondNav
(Its not impossible to translate Mako page)

So far Diana is far to good from all the contenders. 🙂

EUROFAN MEXICO
EUROFAN MEXICO
7 years ago

GREAT TALENT AND EMOTIONS THIS YEAR, I LIKE TO MUCH THEM CAIN OF SELECTION

mocosuburbian
mocosuburbian
7 years ago

what time is it on at? it’s impossible to translate the mako page