Dare to Dream is this year’s theme and host broadcaster KAN is aiming as high as it can. After we saw Justin Timberlake on the Eurovision stage in 2016, they’re hoping another global superstar will take the Eurovision stage. And according to the latest reports in Israeli media, none other than Madonna has been in negotiations with KAN for a few months. Although Madonna agreed to perform on the Eurovision stage in Tel Aviv, financial terms are preventing a contract from being singed. Madonna may be hung up, but our girl knows what to do when it comes to a negotiation.
Israeli media have been reporting that KAN are looking for a few interval acts to perform at Eurovision 2019. KAN’s wishlist consists mostly of famous Israeli stars including: Netta, Dana International, Omer Adam and Idan Raichel (You can read more about it in our previous post). Unfortunately Omer recently said rehearsals on the Sabbath make this impossible for him.
In addition to these Israeli stars, KAN would like to have an international star on the Eurovision stage during the grand final. Some of the names that were mentioned in reports include Coldplay and Elton John.
And now Ynet reports that KAN has been holding talks with gay icon and global superstar Madonna to be the main interval act for Eurovision 2019.
The problem at the moment is that Madonna is a bit of a material girl and KAN’s offer might be a bit low for her. We hope they will reach an agreement and that the Pop legend will perform on the Eurovision stage in Tel Aviv.
There is quite a strong connection between Madonna and Israel, starting with her famous Israeli manager, Guy Oseray, her new Hebrew name, Esther, which she adopted back in 2004, and her famous connection to the Kabbalah.
She has had a few concerts in Israel over the years and there have even been reports about a penthouse she bought in Tel Aviv. She says she’s not Jewish, but an Israelite, and as you can see the connection is real, so performing on Israel’s Eurovision stage is quite logical when you think about it.
The 61-year-old global pop superstar has been “The Queen of Pop” since the 1980s, with a series of successful albums, including the global bestsellers Like a Virgin (1984) and True Blue (1986), as well as the Grammy Award winners Ray of Light (1998) and Confessions on a Dance Floor (2005). (Our very own William Lee Adams even presented a radio documentary on her for the BBC).
Throughout her career, Madonna has written and produced most of her songs, with many of them reaching number one on the record charts, including “Like a Virgin”, “La Isla Bonita”, “Like a Prayer”, “Vogue”, “Take a Bow”, “Frozen”, “Music”, “Hung Up”, and “4 Minutes”.
Madonna’s popularity was further enhanced by her roles in films such as Desperately Seeking Susan (1985), Dick Tracy (1990), A League of Their Own (1992), and Evita (1996). While Evita earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress, many of her other films received poor reviews. As a businesswoman, Madonna founded her own entertainment company Maverick, including the label Maverick Records, in 1992. Her other ventures include fashion design, writing children’s books, opening of health clubs, and film-making. She has contributed to various charities and founded the Ray of Light Foundation in 1998 and Raising Malawi in 2006.
Having sold more than 300 million records worldwide, Madonna is noted as the best-selling female recording artist of all time by Guinness World Records. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) listed her as the second highest-certified female artist in the U.S., with 64.5 million album units. According to Billboard, Madonna is the most successful solo artist in its Hot 100 chart history. She is also the highest-grossing solo touring artist of all time, accumulating U.S. $1.4 billion from her concert tickets. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in her first year of eligibility, Madonna topped VH1’s countdown of 100 Greatest Women in Music. Additionally, Rolling Stone listed her among the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time and the 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time.
Are you excited that Madonna is a possible interval act for Eurovision? Who would you suggest for KAN to invite if it doesn’t work out? Let us know in the comments box below!
Following the Swedish example when they called Justin Timberlake? I won’t lie, I really enjoyed Justin in 2016. but I don’t think this should happen every year, or so often. Once i a while is good. IFor me, Israel could save these money and come up with somehting showcasing their culture but modern at the same time. Be creative people!
Ron, Madonna has co produced and co written her material, not produced and written.
It’s 25 years since Riverdance. They ought to come up with something which is quintessentially Israeli, but with a modern and interesting twist. Brilliant though she is, Madonna isn’t any of that.
Riverdance was spectacular but not really modern at the time.
FYI Riverdance was a modern take on Irish dancing. Just saying.
Well, it didn’t feel modern to me at the time.
Oh, ya, we all remember KAN’s funding back-and-forth problems, and now they’re trying to do this?
If they can afford her, yes queen! Slay!
If it’s anything like her Superbowl performance then we are in for a show! A show that might overshadow the main show! And Im all for it:…
Hvala Ne, B*tch I’m Madonna is really bad.
No, no, no, no, no. I hate the idea of having international/American popstars being the spectacle of Eurovision. Why would any successful popstar want to represent their own country if they know they’re just going to be second fiddle to an international star?
Everyone 2018: “2018 intervals are so boring! Couldn’t they find someone better known and more interesting?”
Everyone 2019 : “Guh, we don’t need international stars at Esc, where is the local talent?”
I am a Madonna fan and I am an Eurovision fan. In theory, this would be a dream come true, also having in mind that she would most probably present some of her new material that she has been working on… But something just doesn’t feel right…
I feel the same way. The only international North American superstar I would be entirely comfortable with is Celine Dion…for obvious reasons. I hope that happens someday.
Yes! That I would like to see! Last year would have been the perfect setting for it, after thirty years of her victory. Maybe in 2028 or 2038… 🙂
I really hope that they don’t announce officially before the ticket sales or it will be much harder to get them!!!
Everyone’s like “I don’t wanna see a worldwide singer at Eurovision , it’s better to send typical israeli artists”
But do you remember last year guys ? There’s nothing more portuguese than this was, but it was unbearably dull… At least, sending Madonna would be much safer, and we would know her songs !
Those who complain about Madonna who’s like the biggest word star and live show artist alive singing at the interludes are not very smart. No-one care about the typical local artists during those… Madonna at the Eurovision : wow! A win/win situation! And with all those gays who are already into both Madonna and the Eurovision : a promising thrilling athmosphere!
Nice fantasy for KAN, but doubt they can afford her fees, unless they somehow have some hidden funds. I’d rather the money go to local artists, as others have mentioned here…is this some kind of publicity stunt?
– how do i delete a comment?
She didn’t perform in Lissabon, the city she lives in and she much loves. That would have made much more sense, even as a “local” artist. but why Tel Aviv? in any case, I wouldn’t mind really.
She didn’t have a new record to promote last year!
Celine Dion has a duet with R Kelly and now she is in damage control and wants the world to forget about it. It can be a good moment to invite her as interval act.
It would not surprise me to learn that Madonna is a fan of Eurovision, or even that she reads Wiwibloggs. So on the off-chance that she does read this… Doing Eurovision is (usually) a once-in-a-lifetime gig, so take it if you want it. 🙂
More seriously, I think that Israel will want to showcase Israeli artists.
As much as I love Madonna and I enjoyed JT’s interval act at Stockholm 2016, I would rather see some local talent perform.
I know KAN is getting Dana International and Netta etc to perform as interval acts but I’d also rather Madonna doesn’t perform, get someone Israeli like Borgore or something.
This isn’t the Super Bowl half time show or the XFactor and I’d wish they stopped trying to make it so in the last few years.
The thing is everybody asks for local talent and when they get it they don’t care or call it boring. Last year was Portuguese as you get but who liked it? I think most skipped it. Same in Baku. Who even remembers it?
Well to be factual a big share of the interval acts came from Cape Vert, Angola and Brazil.
Baku was different, because the corrupt totalitarian “President” gave his son-in-law the job, the same guy who later was involved with the Donald Trump/Russia collusion…true story.
I enjoyed it immensly. But if you used to a strict diet of IKEA-sounds, of course you cannot enjoy anthing else…
And then please don’t tell me that you are not arrogant or discriminatory… So in your little world American and/or nordic is equal to greatness. Everything else ‘local’ is poor and boring… BTW Caetano Veloso is one of the most played and famous singers and composers of the world.
Well I remember it, I quite enjoyed the performance of “Nova Lisboa” last year which was modern and cool yet showcased the culture and talent of the host country, which in my opinion, is what hosting is all about. The idea of national identity and culture seems to be dying out in ESC which is a shame, as it was each country’s uniqueness and differences in culture which made the contest so great, but for the past few years, all the contests just feel the same. Most countries opting for Swedish produced, American sounding songs. It could be the live… Read more »
Hear hear!
I’m not that interested… I mean, what I can imagine could be a good interval act is a duet between Harel Skaat and Moran Mazor, but this can work too.
NOPE!
I’d rather see ABBA premiering one of their 2 new songs they promised for 2019 than Gangsta Granny!
Unless she’s planning some out of this world set with Offer Nissim.
What a shame.
Ok can people just stop complaining about JTs interval act back in 2016!!!! The theme for the 2016 interval acts was how Sweden as a nation has made an impact on the musical world with their great musicians, producers and songwriters since the 70s/80s starting with ABBA (Eurovision-related), and the song performed by JT (“Can’t Stop the Feeling”) was written and produced by two of the most famous and awarded Swedish producers ever: Max Martin and Shellback. It made totally sense that JT took part in Eurovision in 2016. The song pretty much ended up being the number one song… Read more »
I know this would never happen in a million years, but my life would be complete if they got Dan Avidan as an interval act.
Can they announce more competing songs already, I swear we had about 6-7 this time last year. 🙁
By the end of the month we’re gonna have at least 3 new songs and 7 artists revealed, it’s not that bad.
It would be cool if Madonna sang a madley of Eurovision classics 🙂
If they have the funds, why not?
no MIHAI? wtf?
They offered him to sing “Baya” as an interval act but it seems he declined. 🙂
I am a huge fan of Madonna but Israel have to focus on israeli singers as Asaf Avidan, Dana International, Yael Naim, Netta, Ivri Lider ect… maybe paying tribute to Israeli music just like Ofra Haza.
They could book RAMMSTEIN – the band is on Tour with their new album …..and they bring their own “fuego” and “Light Up the location”. Okay, after their show you can’t use the stage anymore – but who cares.
Maybe they (KAN) should work together with San Marino and they swap their “international stars “. Madonna could compete for San Marino and the “human Ken doll” Rodrigo Alves does the Interval Act. That is a good solution. What do you think ?
nooooo, the eurovision is all about the contestants, its not about the big stars.
If you ask me – I would give Roksana Wegiel with her JESC winning song “Anyone I Want To Be” a stage in Tel Aviv. Last year in Portugal POLINA BOGUSEVICH was a little bit robbed to shine there.
Btw. Roxie would cost way less then Madonna 😉
I don’t want to see American people at Eurovision. They can’t take over our phenomenon.
Oh come on!! She’s a worldwide star.
Well, sorry for taking over “your phenomenon”, then, buddy.
I thought she was from Kabbalah nation.
Don’t hate USA, I only hate those big stars who use ESC without understanding it. JT thought is a reality show for people who never were in front of an audience before. Do you remember his speech from the green room?
Madonna was born in August of 1958, so that would make her 60, not to mention that she currently lives in Portugal.
So what? Why would these both facts be relevant for her gig at Eurovision? Are you being ageist? And your being racist against Portugal? Really?…
I believe beccaboo is referring to the article, where it states her age as 61, which is incorrect. The article also implies she has strong connections to Israel, which she may have, but as beccaboo points out, she actually lives in Portugal – last year’s host. I don’t think any of this makes her racist or xenophobic. Context, people.
I see. If that is the case then, I truly apologise to beccaboo. You read so much cr@p in these posts, that sometimes get oversenstive and do wrong judgements. Again, sorry, beccaboo! 🙁
What a stupid ageist and xenophobic remark…
Sorry, beccaboo, it seems I made a wrong judgement on your comment. Thanks to Jonas to pointing that out.
Why waste the money, I’d much rather just have Israeli stars perform.
She can come if she brings her boyfriend
Hopefully this happen, she would give Eurovision great exposure
No offence to Madonna, but I can already visualize her coming on stage, screaming “Tel-Aviv, are you ready to party?”, a group of fancy dressed dancers and crowd akwardly dancing to the song. Madonna’s a 90’s legend, but do we need this?
Basically like Vitas’ 7th Element?
https://youtu.be/989-7xsRLR4
Haha, you read my mind. No, but in all seriousness – I don’t want to exaggerate, I just think Israel has so many opportunities to show how did it change after those 20 years besides inviting Madonna.
Who?
An interval act with Madonna netta and Dana. That’s all I have to say.
Madonetta
That is interesting! On one side all people are complaining “Eurovision is seen as a freak show, no big artist wants to compete, bad image etc.”. But if there is a “big, international, famous star” who maybe could take part as an interval, then all are complaining “we don’t need these artists, we should build up Eurovision ones etc.”. So what do you want? I think some big artists, only a BIT of it, would be good for the imagine of Eurovision in general.
An interval act does not compete. That’s the point. Explain to me how exactly Timberlake helped the contest. What helps Eurovision is the competing countries trying their hardest to send good music so no outsourcing is needed. Also, 2009 saw a star of the highest calibre competing. So big names are entirely possible. Not that Patricia got much thanks for it…
Exactly – the main point of interval acts is “we won the contest, let’s showcase what our culture and music stand for”. 2017 and 2018 delivered here – Madonna is already well-known in Europe (and I’m not sure if she would improve the image of contest), but I wouldn’t get to know ONOUKA’s music if Ukraine decided to present Backstreet Boys.
As said in previous comments, why do we need such a huge star, I’d like to see an Israeli superstar or at least an Eurovision winner or something, or please at least an European star, why bring an American to a European contest held in Israel?! It doesn’t make sense, and we all preferred Onouka over JT.
I don’t know her
Mariah has left the chat.
Indeed you are Mariah or plain ignorant. If you are trying to be ironic, well, it didn’t work honey.
Honestly, I’d rather that they show off local, Israeli artists than these international stars who don’t need any publicity. I didn’t really like seeing Justin Timberlake in 2016, so I don’t think I’d be a fan of this either.
I am sure some Israeli artists will be recognized, but having an internationally famous singers can really boost the ratings. I wouldn’t be worried that KAN would not exploit the massive opportunity to promote local talents and culture in this kind of event, either through intervals, sketches or postcards.
No, please, I want ABBA together, or Lara Fabian, or Celine Dion, but why somebody that has nothing to do with Eurovision? Baku had a good interval act with the last five years winners. Why don’t do that?
i want Celine too.
Imagine Netta and Salvador on the same stage lmao
So that is the “international star” San Marino is talking about. Wishful thinking…
I think Eurovision in general should works towards becoming more self-confident, aiming to make and build their own stars, rather than pay insane amounts of money to global names with no connection to or real interest in the contest who see it as three to five minutes at some random gig. The attention should always, ALWAYS be on the essence of this whole thing: the competing acts and their countries and, of course, the voting.
Can’t wait for her playback performance! Honestly, they should let Israeli talent shine rather than calling Madead who surely has other platforms to promote her upcoming album.
I heard she’s going to duet with Cher
Cher hates Madonna.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vkZGFdQuf0
Gosh! Thanks for sharing that! Had no idea…
Maybe for San Marino.