“Far from the truth.”

That’s how one Eurovision winning composer is describing recent comments made by the composer of “Toy” who claimed that he is the true winner of Eurovision 2018 and not Netta.

Speaking to Walla!Kobi Oshrat — the famed Israeli composer behind Eurovision 1979 winner “Hallelujah” — said that “Toy” composer Doron Medalie was out of line during his recent interview with Mako.

In that interview Doron, who took Israel back to the Top 10 with “Golden Boy” in 2015, spoke openly about Netta’s dislike for the song on first listen. He also suggested it was very difficult to work with her.

“It was like taking a wild horse and putting it into a luxurious stable,” he said. “It is very normal that the horse will try to resist.”

(This echoes recent comments from The Next Star director Yoav Tzafir, who said that Netta did not connect with the song and would have preferred to sing her own composition. He also compared Netta to Madonna for wanting to control every single detail of her performances).

Although Doron made it clear that Netta was crucial to victory, he also suggested that his victory was of greater significance.

“I feel like I won more, in my point of view,” he said. “The victory was something I had dreamed of, for many years, whereas Netta was thrown into it.”

Doron — who was selected to write Israel’s Eurovision songs in 2015 and 2016 — has frequently faced allegations that the Eurovision selection process in Israel is set up for him to win. When asked what he makes of the allegedly “rigged system”, he answered with a series of questions.

“Do you know that the one working hard for Eurovision is me? The only one who understands Eurovision is me, the only one who can write songs that suit Eurovision is me. Don’t I deserve it?  Over the last few years, I’ve been writing the biggest hits in Israel and I suggest the bitter people stop writing songs and do better things than getting mad at Doron Medalie.”

“You need a psychologist”

Doron’s apparent truth bomb has ruffled a lot of feathers in Israel’s Eurovision community and the music industry more generally.

Shai Goldstein and Leah Lev — hosts of the popular 103 FM radio show “The Breakfast Club”, didn’t hold back. Here’s what they said (as reported by Maariv).

“My brother, I think you need a psychologist, you need a group of psychologists, some of whom will be psychiatrists, you need a whole group of people to work on you for 24 hours, maybe that’s how they’ll manage your brain,” Shai said.

Leah was as outspoken.

“The guy talked about the Eurovision Song Contest as if in the previous Eurovision Song Contest he did not write two songs that failed — no problem, brother.”

She went on to call him a “shallow person” and said: “I don’t like to tell you this, but history will not remember you Doron Medalie. It will remember Netta Barzilai with the song ‘Toy”. Does anyone remember who wrote ‘Hallelujah’?”

“He’s fallen into the trap of fame”

Shimrit Or, who wrote the lyrics to “Hallelujah”, isn’t amused.

“Doron Medalie has a great mania,” she told Walla! “A lot of the people who won the Eurovision Song Contest have fallen into the trap of fame, and it’s happened faster than with others.”

“Even if Doron thinks that victory is not for her, this song won with her, and if it were not for that combination, it would not have happened. It’s just terrible what happens to people with an ego.”

Kobi Oshrat, the composer of the 1979 hit, had a lot to say about the matter too.

“Sorry, and with all due respect to Doron Medalie, no one knows who you are. A little modesty, please….”

“He said he was the only would who could write a song right for the Eurovision Song Contest? What happened the previous two times when he wrote songs and in fact did not with with those songs?”

“Netta is a unique artist, an extraordinary talent. What Medalie said was far from the truth. Without Netta he wouldn’t have it, he would not have won.”

What do you think of all this? Is Doron right that the composer is the real winner of Eurovision? Do you think that the composer should be presented with the trophy or just the singer? Let us know in the comments box below!

Read more Israel Eurovision news

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Fatima
Fatima
5 years ago

Please can a Wiwibloggs correspondent find out exactly what happened between Doron Medalie and César Samson during Netta’s walk to the podium? It did seem nasty at first look, but when I watched it again, it’s quite possible that it was all good-natured.

minu
minu
5 years ago

Eleni is the true winner! Yeah yeah fire!

Igit Forevaaaa
Igit Forevaaaa
5 years ago

No honey, you won bc of Igit. Thanks to Igit for Lisboa Jerusalem!

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
5 years ago

I said it once and say it again… Netta is a “beautiful creature” trapped in a man’s world of egos and coroporate music. The composer can be lucky that Netta sang his song, because it was her freshness with the sounds she makes so masterfully (that apperently she learned in jazz school by the way…) that made it a winning song. Not the actual chorus or melodic line, which is not so rich…

Geo
Geo
5 years ago

Only weird and arrogant winners in the past few years… Starting with Jamala (acting like a diva, making fun of Melovin), Salvador’s arrogance (according to him only his music is good, the others’ is horrible), and now Netta, making fun of Eleni in Israeli sketches). For me, this Doron moron and Netta are the same. Cyprus should have won, Eleni is the moral winner…

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago
Reply to  Geo

Nah, Israel is the winner, both morally and factually. If anybody else has a claim on the title, it would be Austria – they topped the jury vote, which exclusively decided the winner for the first 41 contests.

Rob
Rob
5 years ago
Reply to  Geo

Netta did not make fun of Eleni, where did you hear this stupid thing? The only thing she said is that she was amazing. Stop with the lies. Cyprus should not have won. She got 5th place in the juries for a reason.

AngieP
AngieP
5 years ago

I won’t get into details about everything he said, but I’ll say just one thing : This song wouldn’t have won if Netta hadn’t been singing it! Period.

Guilbert
Guilbert
5 years ago

Why should I be surprised of his arrogance? Remember how he pushed & humiliated Cesar of Austria at the Green Room who simply wished to congratulate Netta. That song “Toy” fits well only to Netta’s mold thus his song would never see the light of winning if sang by other artists. He cannot take much credit for the win. He is so full of himself.

opus1612
opus1612
5 years ago

Well it seems that this song and it’s farce came up earlier than i thought…girl empowerment my a*s!! It’s just a desperate guy seeking attention and thinking that he composed the greatest song in Isarel, when in fact it was a stupid song that had the luck of having a cute and talented girl sing it .Enjoy it til it lasts (next year no one will remember you anyway)!!! You can demand recognition for your work without despising someone,especially when it’s the person that basically shown it to the world. And who needs Salvador and his “arrogant” remarks, when you… Read more »

Carolina Pinedo
Carolina Pinedo
5 years ago

Well there’s doubt about the translation being faithful, so I won’t be so hard on him. if belittled the singer, shame on him. He is an artist (composer) so he has a narsicistic side, big deal.
I love Golden Boy more than Toy… IDGAF

Worst, serious things have been said and I don’t see the same amount of indignation.

At the end, he took Eurovisión to Israel with Netta’s help, don’t tarnish your image and start selling more compositions while you are a “Eurovision winning composer”

Thiago
Thiago
5 years ago

Yes, this is a prime example of taking words out of context and spreading drama for no reason. He was referring that the win means more to him than Netta since he invested basically his whole life to Eurovision compared to her just appearing on the scene. It’s not an insult.

May
May
5 years ago
Reply to  Thiago

It is still an insult. Just because Netta hopped aboard later doesn’t mean she wasn’t on it as much as anyone else. And, quite honestly, she was the one putting her face and facing exposure. I’d say she was actually putting much more on the line.

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago

Bob Dylan doing dreary folk music for the hetero hippies makes him what, some sort of genius? I guess that’s the conventional wisdom. Accepting your premise, why would writing for a gay audience make him a lesser artist? Why is EDM a lower artform? You puzzle me.

Hada
Hada
5 years ago

And this is the supposed feminist song.

Man, I miss Luísa.

opus1612
opus1612
5 years ago
Reply to  Hada

Accept it or not, but last year Salvador was in fact the most humble winner in recent years and also (ironically) the most feminist one…he had the guts to bring his sister on stage and introduce an amazing talented woman to almost 200 million people, clearly taking the spotlight from him.

But of course haters don’t even remember that “small” thing.

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
5 years ago
Reply to  opus1612

Wow! Thank you for bringing that up. Indeed!

Maya G
Maya G
5 years ago

He is (admittedly) an annoying ego maniac, but what his words were taken out of context.
From watching the interview it’s obvious that he meant that the victory is more significant to him than it is for Netta, because it has been his dream to win Eurovision since his childhood while Netta had other aspirations.
Other than that, he did throw shade on some of his colleagues (without mentioning names) and he’s generally outspoken and unfiltered.

Passarinho
Passarinho
5 years ago
Reply to  Maya G

He compared Netta to a “wild horse” and his song to a “luxurious stable”.
In what context it was okay to call Netta a horse?

avner
avner
5 years ago
Reply to  Passarinho

The emphasis was on Wild. This is not unnecessarily an insult in the middle east..

Maya G
Maya G
5 years ago
Reply to  Passarinho

He meant she was a wild spirit and an uninhibited fringe musician. “Wild horse” is a metaphor, it’s like saying Doron Medalie’s talent for writing hits makes him a cash cow, it wouldn’t be like calling him a cow.
As for comparing his song to a luxurious stable – we’ve already established that he has an enormous ego.

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago

I feel he has been misunderstood. Sure, he has an ego, but I think he was just saying that this victory means more to him than it does to Netta. He has “won more” because it has been a long-term life goal that he now finally achieved. The fact that he has failed in the past makes it all the sweeter now.

What’s so bad about that? I doubt he meant to diminish Netta’s role in all this.

Truth Teller
Truth Teller
5 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

IF that was what he meant, that would actually be really cool and totally understandable. This article begs to differ, though. Then again, this is the epitome of yellow press, so who are we to believe?

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago

I agree. The composer used to get the main trophy (a different one each year), and usually the artist got nothing. It’s very unusual to even see the composer at all nowadays. I can not begrudge Doron Medalie his feelings. It was lovely to see Luisa get her due last year too. Of course the singer is crucial – Celine Dion, Niamh Kavanagh, Carola, Lena, etc. – they absolutely sold their songs ensuring victory. One needs the other.

Oscillate
Oscillate
5 years ago

Netta is a beautiful person inside and out.

I cannot say the same with the composer. He is just off to me from the very beginning.

EscFan
EscFan
5 years ago

I think it’s both which make a winning song – artist AND song. One single element alone can’t work.
Toy wouldn’t be Toy without Netta, but also Netta would have been lost without Toy. It’s the perfect mix for a winner. Netta + Toy, Marija + Molitva, Lena + Satellite etc.

Jake
Jake
5 years ago

Doron has to really crank up his hubris game because he only has 50 comments on wiwi. Salvador says something arrogant and he gets 1000. I can feel for him because after 3 strong entries, he’s being pushed aside and Netta is being celebrated all over Israel and it’s dignitarians. In Portugal both Salvador and Luisa were celebrated together. It’s an interesting dynamic. Toy would not be the same without either of them, but reaction from everyone seems to focus on Netta exclusively. The reality is that Israel had 4 non-qualifications and then he brought them a top 10. He… Read more »

Anita
Anita
5 years ago
Reply to  Jake

He can get recognition without belittling Netta – he can praise her and talk about his composition….

Joe
Joe
5 years ago
Reply to  Jake

He actually has – he apparently wrote one of Sofia’s potential entries for Georgia in 2010.

Kobo
Kobo
5 years ago

That’s not what he said, it’s a bad translation into English. And to anyone who responded to that in Israel to understand his intentions at all. He said that Neta is an artist who is not managed like a doll and has a personal statement and had to convince her that she wanted to bring her materials. But once she decided to go for it she gave her expression in the song, with the changes made to the lyrics and the production. And Doron, he writes hits that fill the playlist of Israel and every dance floor, Doron, lives and… Read more »

Henrikh Mugosa
Henrikh Mugosa
5 years ago

One question: is this how you empower women?

LILIA
LILIA
5 years ago

Gal Gadot received an official request from Israel’s first channel to host the Eurovision in Jerusalem,
I wish her tight schedule would allow her … it would be perfect if she will be the host

Go Rotem !!
Go Rotem !!
5 years ago
Reply to  LILIA

Rotem is great. she can host with the RED BAND. have a look-https://www.instagram.com/rotemsela1/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRfukdl3nVM

Felix
Felix
5 years ago

Ugh this doesn’t surprise me looking at how Medalie treated Cesar Sampson in the green room. He’s an odious, self-aggrandising so-and-so. God he’s detestable.

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago
Reply to  Felix

I think he is misunderstood. I saw the César thing a little differently – César was simply trying to congratulate Netta, but she remained oblivious – Doron just rubbed his face in sympathy, thanking him and recognizing that César had also been a contender. They were in a rush to get to the stage. A storm in a teacup.

YoungsterJoey
YoungsterJoey
5 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

Yes! And you can see him say “Thank You” to Cesar. Huge misunderstanding by others.

T.J.
T.J.
5 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

Sorry, but grabbing the face of someone and looking fierce is the opposite of sympathy. Look at Cesárs expression while and after the incident. He’s simply shocked! Don’t try to turn things around. This was rude and arrogant

Becausr
Becausr
5 years ago

I must say that the interview itself is quite interesting. It deals with Medalie as an artist including his love for Eurovision since he was a child. Medalie also brings up his identity as a gay man and how this affected his life.. Medalie is not a modest person – that’s true – but he’s aware of it and doesn’t hide his passion to Eurovision and his agenda in life. He also states in the interview that after 2013 (Moran Mazor representing Israel in a very dull performance imo) he understood that if Israel doesn’t change its approach to the… Read more »

Stanyult
Stanyult
5 years ago
Reply to  Becausr

I still remember Moran Mazor’s song to this day. And probably so do a lot of other people. Eurovision is not merely about winning. It is about projecting an image of a country’s music scene, which can be classic or avantgarde. Sometimes winning is not the main goal. Eurovision is also about creating memorable performances, and melodies that get stuck in people’s minds or touch their emotions. It is also about values and principles, respecting everyone’s contributions and celebrating diversity. However, this man only cared about the win, and it is a pity. Because his own demo lacked any of… Read more »

Becausr
Becausr
5 years ago
Reply to  Stanyult

I agree that winning is not all but it is completely legitimate and appreciated to aim for a victory. He has written many songs for eurovision so obviously his goal to finally win is understandable. Moran’s song was imo very dated and the staging was awful too. Also her attitude to the song lacked of any ambitions. One must not forget that Eurovision is a song contest after all so even if winning is not everything that matters, a good performance is s must. I also doubt if in this era of globalisation eurovision is, or should be, about projecting… Read more »

Stanyult
Stanyult
5 years ago
Reply to  Becausr

Well, my impression is that, particularly with both Golden Boy and Toy, Israel has been trying to project an image of modernity, technology, youth and creativity that goes very much in line with the image the Israeli tourism board is trying to convey.
I feel the same thing happens with Bulgaria, Greece or Belgium -to me they are clear examples of countries that want to project a very specific image on the Eurovision stage. This is, of course, an impression.

LLila
LLila
5 years ago

That Doron is disgusting person..
Netta is something speical..without Netta Israel would not have won!

Milan
Milan
5 years ago
Reply to  LLila

Possibly, but she wouldn’t have won without him either – even more so! There were a lot of talented people there on the night, and we all agree that many of them “just didn’t have the right song”. It is a great injustice that the composers of winning entries are not remembered properly, as their contribution is crucial, while in many cases, singers are just “thrown into it”.

LILIA
LILIA
5 years ago
Reply to  Milan

In my opinion, Neta would have won with every other song she would have performed. She is a charismatic artist, special, can not be ignored and she is so talented.

jPod
jPod
5 years ago

Netta, hunni, you stay. Doron, sashay… away.

Emre Dinç
Emre Dinç
5 years ago

Bitch, sit down… Be humble!

Maldric
Maldric
5 years ago

the most disgusting guy ever on eurovision…
i´ll never forget the way he was hoping and calling for Italy for the 3rd higher score during the televote and the way he disrespected the singer from Austria….
what a arrogant stupid butterfly

LeGrand
LeGrand
5 years ago
Reply to  Maldric

He’s very arrogant indeed although I think that in the case of Cesar he was just too excited and so he didn’t notice that Cesar was only trying to congratulate Netta, When Cesar tried again then you can see that he’s basically thanking him.

T.J.
T.J.
5 years ago
Reply to  LeGrand

Because you thank someone by grabbing his chin and look aggressively in his eyes or did I miss something?

Roy Moreno
Roy Moreno
5 years ago
Reply to  Maldric

The comment above ^
Plus, of course he will be hoping for Italy to get the 3rd place, it’s HIS song competing there with a chance of winning and his country…
This article isn’t 100% accurate (I’ve watched it on TV, I’m Israeli), he isn’t that bad, although he said some wrong stuff, because Netta is an important part of Toy.

Maldric
Maldric
5 years ago
Reply to  Roy Moreno

excuse me?? Calm down..and please tell me where did you saw that rubbish atittude before?? I never saw anything like that in eurovision!
Of course you´re hoping for a good result for your song, but you don+´t need to be unpleasant and rude for the others. You don´t need to scream “ITALIA ITALIA”…Its a friendly song contest!
Bad education real bad education from that sisi songwriter. No excuses don´t even try!

Roy Moreno
Roy Moreno
5 years ago
Reply to  Roy Moreno

If you both knew me, you would know I’m not supporting my country in Eurovision if we have a bad entry and I give 0 fu**s about nationalism, I believe in humanity, the whole globe.
He wanted to win so obviously he’d wish to hear “Italy”.
However, it indeed was rude when Cesar came to congratulate Netta when she won.
With all the excitement, he still could have given him a few seconds.

Maldric
Maldric
5 years ago
Reply to  Roy Moreno

“He wanted to win so obviously he’d wish to hear “Italy”.” and you need to scream “ITALIA ITALIA”???? Thats the point..

Roy Moreno
Roy Moreno
5 years ago
Reply to  Maldric

Should have kept that in his own mind but can’t really blame him for that specific thing 😛

Der
Der
5 years ago

Again another reason why i was hoping Cyprus for the win..

Avner
Avner
5 years ago

Oh, the joy of taking words out of context… while Doron is clealry enjoying his victory, his controvertial part came after giving Netta much credit. He simply refers to himself as the driver of the long effort where other collaborators joined recently. Yes, if you want to interpret his choice of words as dissing others you can, but lets give this guy who achieved his dreams some space to enjoy it. If it is any consolation, he is walking around with a Stupid Boy hat. Yep, he even anticipated the hate…

avner
avner
5 years ago
Reply to  Avner

Is the hate necessary?

Joe
Joe
5 years ago

OK, some things to point out. But first, a little flashback… You guys remember Johnny Logan, right? That guy? I don’t think there’s a single Eurovision winner who was a stronger proponent of acknowledging the songwriters as proper winners. He owed a lot of his success in 1980 (and advice on how to proceed in his returns to the contest) to “What’s Another Year” songwriter Shay Healy, and he notably tried to pass the trophy to songwriters Atilla ?ereftu? and Nella Martinetti rather than performer Celine Dion when it was his turn to hand over the trophy in 1988. All… Read more »

avner
avner
5 years ago
Reply to  Joe

thanks for the illuminating info; you may be releaved to learn he did not write I Feel Alive. Interstingly, Eleni who reached 2nd place, previously performed some of his songs. He is entitled to some cockiness…

Joe
Joe
5 years ago
Reply to  avner

Huh! Good.
And yeah, didn’t she do a Greek version of Golden Boy?

avner
avner
5 years ago
Reply to  avner

I know what you are saying, Charles, but I prefer winners take a victory lap over fake humility.

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago
Reply to  Joe

I agree that of course the songwriter should be celebrated and get at least equal if not more attention than the artist – but Johnny was so wrong in 1988. Celine won that contest based purely on her powerhouse performance – the actual song had very little to do with it. It also kinda rubs me up the wrong way that Johnny takes credit for all three of his victories – he can’t have it both ways. As for other winners, does anybody really regard 2XL as Eurovision winners? I certainly do not. How about the guest vocalist with Secret… Read more »

Joe
Joe
5 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

I mean, I won’t argue that most Eurovision winners probably actually win ‘cuz of the singer. Certainly, that was the case in ’00s when it was all televote and they couldn’t care less about who wrote it. It’s just official procedure. Johnny is inconsistent – I think he took too little credit for ’80, just enough credit for ’87, and too much credit for ’92 (I think he kinda got swept up in the media frenzy about being a three-time winner and didn’t quite give Linda her due). And of course I don’t consider 2XL winners (especially with them mugging… Read more »

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Estonia’s best entry was in 1996. Everybody is just…awful. The second worst winner ever, only beaten by its successor. France should have won in 2001, and actually 2002 too. Tangents are fun. Johnny’s tally of three doesn’t even make sense…he counts one victory as singer, one as songwriter, and one as singer/songwriter. Sure. But he has actually won twice as a singer, and twice as songwriter…so that would be four. If Alexander had won this year he would have matched that, and maybe Johnny’s head would have deflated a little. There were only 19 countries competing in 1980, which is… Read more »

Joe
Joe
5 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

I keep trying to give a detailed response but the site keeps saying “awaiting moderation,” so I’ll summarize: Estonia’s usually very great. “Everybody” is a major guilty pleasure that I’ll agree is probably not as good as France that year but I enjoy it a lot, Russia was my favorite of ’02 (another guilty pleasure), which France was also very good in, but most of that year was bad although I honestly thought the winner was OK. I’d sooner single out Believe or Dors mon amour. Johnny would’ve won four times if there were four songs, but there were three,… Read more »

Paul
Paul
5 years ago

To give him his due Israel in 2015, 2016 and 2018 were some of my favourite entries – but don’t be an idiot about things. He should just be proud of himself and happy “Toy” was a success – unless he as an individual wants the glory/money

Israeli
Israeli
5 years ago

Made of stars or Golden boy both did not “FAIL”. They were pretty good actually!

Joe
Joe
5 years ago

Personally, a song that comes close to the bottom for me is Raggio di Luna, the Italian entry from ’79. I believe it was the first Eurovision song to be performed without an orchestra, and boy oh boy does it suck. It’s scary-bad. For a country that knows how to send a good Eurovision song, this was a huge drop in quality:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmZjRDy5-ds

avner
avner
5 years ago
Reply to  Joe

joe oh joe… I watched that song in Jerusalem and it was lovely. Underproduced, of course, but a song I can still sing lovingly… funny how taste differs…

Joe
Joe
5 years ago
Reply to  avner

Of course, everyone’s entitled to like what they like. Just didn’t do anything for me. Lord knows I have s hard time making a case for some of the entries I’ve enjoyed over the years (Look up Malta’s 2008 entry, a song I might be the only person in the world who enjoys).
But side note: wow! You were there? What was that like?

avner
avner
5 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Jerusalem 1979 was small, it was a major national effort with inventive animated funny postcards and total elation of being in Jerusalem. We think Halleluja won not just because of its quality, but for matching the mood of being there. I also think this was an exceptionally strong year for that era.

Joe
Joe
5 years ago
Reply to  avner

Oh, for sure. I’ve watched the whole contest, and there are a ton of classics there. Besides Israel’s well-deserved win, I also loved Germany (of course), Spain, Denmark, Sweden, France, the UK, Portugal, and the Netherlands. And a fantastic interval act on top of all that.

avner
avner
5 years ago
Reply to  Joe

the Greek entry Socrates Superstar was a hit too – at least in Israel.

avner
avner
5 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Vodka from 2008 is so bad it is a guilty pleasure. The biggest sin is being unnoticed…
My “shock” of your pick of this true oldie from 1979 as low quality is that there are SO many fresh example of nothing entries.

Joe
Joe
5 years ago
Reply to  avner

Compared to everything else that year? For sure. I just don’t like this idea that Eurovision was only good in the “good ol’ days” and modern Eurovision can’t hold a candle to it. There are more types of music and countries in the game now than ever before, and that’s really cool and has led to some very interesting recent contests. That being said, of course there are plenty of stinkers now. But there have been stinkers through all of Eurovision history, and while I’m sorry to disagree with you, I’d place Raggio di Luna among them. (And their entry… Read more »

Joe
Joe
5 years ago

I see your Toy and raise you Cry Baby, Euro Neuro, Opera, Celebrate, That Sounds Good to Me, Ireland Douze Points…

Roy Moreno
Roy Moreno
5 years ago

I think Doron really is a Eurovision winner just like Stav (the 2nd writer of Toy) and obviously Netta (who also worked on Toy)
But Netta will be the one who is going to be remembered more…
Netta had also done some crucial changes to Toy, like the clucking, it was hard to work with her because she is no one’s toy 😉
She’s a true artist after all.

avner
avner
5 years ago
Reply to  Roy Moreno

…partly because Stav was recruited by Doron for this project. The whole point is that DM worked on this for many years so his victory was way sweeter regardless of the contribution.

Roy Moreno
Roy Moreno
5 years ago

Is that why it won the contest and it is the most watched video ever on the official Eurovision channel?
You forgot to add a few important words to your comment which are “in my opinion”

Chris
Chris
5 years ago

I mean, it IS a song competition, not a singing competition, so he does have a point. If a bit badly made.

Pollaski
Pollaski
5 years ago

It takes a pretty miserable SOB to write four consecutive national entries, have a perfect qualification record, two top tens, and a win, and somehow feel like he needs to air the laundry in the public square.

Dude might actually have a case for being one of the best songwriters in Eurovision history. Now he’ll be lucky if he gets to do another one..

Avner
Avner
5 years ago
Reply to  Pollaski

some clarifications: he did not write the 2017 Israeli entry, and he was answering a specific interview question. he is not likely to come back to Eurovision soon – he said that after 2016, he vowed to only come back if he sees a path to winning, so it is time to move on. the full interview is way more balanced, Doron is a true talent at creating songs and matching to collaborators, not so much at preventing negative comments. I repect his long-awaiting win.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago

Yeah, not everyone would have delivered Toy the way Netta did. Can you imagine Eleni Foureira singing it?

TheDrMistery
TheDrMistery
5 years ago

No but I can’t imagine Netta doing justice to “Fuego” either. Stop comparing those ladies, both are great at what they’re doing.

Boycott Jerusalem 2019
Boycott Jerusalem 2019
5 years ago

He should totally participate next year as a singer.

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago

Actually, after his victory with Diva, his song “Light A Candle” represented Israel in 2002.

Joe
Joe
5 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

And then he wrote Ukraine’s first entry.

Roger W.
Roger W.
5 years ago

Netta attracts Drama apparently
I feel people will be very well entertained until May 2019, even longer…

J’adore
J’adore
5 years ago
Reply to  Roger W.

Hallelujah

Anita
Anita
5 years ago

A lot of people in that posotion has a narcicistic personality and that’s the reason they think of thrmselves as the grates. he searched for Netta and used her as his Toy to win Eurovivion, this is sn evil kind of narzissismm.

Sunglasses Indoors
Sunglasses Indoors
5 years ago
Reply to  Anita

Look for Netta before Eurovision, it is the exact same Netta you saw on stage.
He didn’t use her at all. He even says she is very difficult to work with. She changed his song and kept her own style all the time.
Not like almost all singers from Eurovision that sing whatever composers give them to sing and shut up.

Curve
Curve
5 years ago

Basically, it’s like Cyndi Lauper changing the original version of Girls Just Want To Have Fun and having her own style to it instead. And funnily enough, both songs are about female empowerment.

Anita
Anita
5 years ago
Reply to  Curve

Defninitely ! In my point of view the “evil” thing aobut what we read above is, that Doron Medalie thought he could use her for HIS win. And know as he realises it is all about Netta – he tries to belittle her accompolishment… And after his statement about his obsession to win it seems very calculating that he used the metoo-movement for his song… What do you think?

Anita
Anita
5 years ago

sorry, i was not already awake as I wrote this – you can see it because of all the spelling mistakes. I wanted to say, that it seems after what I have read above, that he thinks of Netta as his Toy to win eurovision. And he seems to have a very narcissistic personality: HE is everything – the greatest. And in these kind of businesses where recognition is what it’s all about you can find a lot of this…

Emri
Emri
5 years ago

Ok he clearly wants his moment of fame now lol
I didn’t care about him AT ALL, but now even less

However I love Netta and her Art

Gama
Gama
5 years ago

Netta is wonderful personality. And I like how she wrested control of the project than succumbing to the whims of executives. After all, SHE performed the song. She is the face that launched a million (?) votes.

Imagine Doron doing the song onstage. Shuddering, isn’t it?

Lena
Lena
5 years ago

This Beautiful Girl doesn’t even open her mouth (only to sing) and she is in the middle of all polemics, controversies, publicities, dramas…….

She’s so real, kind and has an amazing personality, everyday I love her even more <3

ESC Fan
5 years ago

He is just trying to get attention

Curve
Curve
5 years ago

So he is the Bjorkman and Kirkorov of Israel. I am starting to dislike him and that’s just my personal opinion.

Yazalde
Yazalde
5 years ago

YES YES YES more Drama please ! Now that we know EBU said all the rumors about boycotts were false and preparations just started in Israel, now people need to start another Drama 😀
I love this year lol

Itz_ztI
Itz_ztI
5 years ago

I love everything about Netta ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

Joe
Joe
5 years ago

I love her personality, her talent, her feedback with the public, her style, her previews looper works before Eurovision… She’s beautiful

Who is he BTW?

Milan
Milan
5 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Love him or hate him, he is someone without whom Netta wouldn’t have a winning song. (Imagine Netta delivering some of the “bad” entries on the night. Would she have won with something like “Under the Ladder” or “Monsters” ? I don’t think so.)

Chester
Chester
5 years ago

Netta changed the song otherwise it would have been really annoying and just basic like the other songs he composed previously. Clearly he wants some hours of fame.

Netta is an artist, she knows how to captivate the audience.
I believe when they say she is like Madonna, every detail counts for her and has to be more than perfect.