Bar Refaeli, the supermodel who has reportedly been chosen by KAN and the EBU as a host of Eurovision 2019, may lose her assumed position over a possible indictment for tax evasion offences.
Refaeli, whose fortune had been estimated by Forbes at $20 million, allegedly told Israeli authorities that she was living in the US when in fact she was living in Israel. It was reportedly to avoid tax payment on her foreign income. She’s also suspected of receiving a luxurious Jeep during one of her campaigns and failing to account for it. Curiously, her “almost” father in law, George DiCaprio, submitted an affidavit for her defence in which he claims that Refaeli was living in the US during the time of the alleged offences.
According to local media, once the news about Refaeli’s potential indictment was published, producers and organisers made behind-the-scenes calls ruling her out as host. As one of her opponents whispered: “She doesn’t deserve to represent the face of our country.” Refaeli has also been a controversial figure in Israel for many years because she failed to complete her military service, which is mandatory in Israel.
KAN responded: “Bar is only a ‘suspected’ host at this point”, a statement which can be understood both as a “potential candidate” and a “real” contender in this context.
About Bar Refaeli
Bar has extensive experience in the public eye and has turned looks on the cover of the 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, and in advertising campaigns for Chanel, Escada, Victoria’s Secret, Reebok and more.
She’s among a handful of Israel celebrities who regularly appear in Western media outlets.
But most importantly, Bar is the host of Israel’s X Factor. She has song contest experience and knows the many pitfalls that can occur — with contestants and with the production teams that surround them — so can guide us through proceedings smoothly.
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As I understood from the media, George DiCaprio said that the two families were in good connections (the DiCaprios & the Refaelis) – But I could not really understand why this information is relevant. can someone here explain ???
The problem with Bar is that she’s a greta model, I think she’s a rally good as well, but as a person… Her public persona in Israel is far from perfect… I think that’s why people don’t like her. It’s not her skills as host, it’s her as a public figure.
But then again, hosts are such a small part of the show…
Bad hosts can ruin a show, and great hosts can make it. They are a very important piece of the puzzle. Too bad that in recent years they have tended toward the banal.
If she’s a tax evader, I feel no sympathy for her and she deserves every punishment – but to rule her out as a host before the investigation has reached its conclusion seems premature. Due process, innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
X Factor isn’t a song contest.
Honestly, I don’t like Bar as a host so….
As far as I know, not many people are really into her as a host and even generally, there’s quite a lot of hate towards her because she hadn’t served as an IDF soldier (which is mandatory here)
I feel sorry for her but I just don’t think that hosting is her strength :\
professionaly, she can do a great job in Tel-Aviv 2019… i wish she will stay one of the hosts
I think it’s gonna be Ania Bukstein and a guy (Erez Tal or Assi Azar, potentially all three).
Good riddance. Can’t stand her.
They should have picked Noa Tishby to begin with.
Hopefully they’ll take Noa to fill Bar’s slot, she’s perfect for it.
Noa is the best of the best… if just they picked her…she deserves it.