Israel has begun the search for its singer at ESC 2020. And it’s sticking with the winning format that resulted in Netta Barzilai’s famous win in 2018. The Next Star for Eurovision is expected to start airing soon. And, as Israel Hayom reports, the first round has already taken place — with the filming of the second round set to begin in November.

If Israel follows the provisional schedule, the audition round should air as this next round is filmed. Judging from last year’s schedule, that means that we should know who the Israeli representative is by early February.

As reported last month, the reality show including some familiar singers including Eden and LUKAH. On Thursday, Israel Hayom confirmed all of its previously rumoured artists, and added a few more names to the list. And they are…

Lion Rosenberg (+ Shmonim VeMashehu Band)

Born in 1973, Lion Rosenberg is an actor and TV host. He performed in the auditions alongside his 80’s-music cover band Shmonim VeMashehu. According to Israel Hayom, they sang a cover of “Big in Japan” by Alphaville, but failed to pass the threshold. That means the TV figure’s band probably won’t represent Israel in Rotterdam, but might be featured on the show. They could still qualify as wildcards if the hosts decide to save them. If they were to be chosen to represent Israel, their act would almost certainly have been a joke entry. Given that, it’s not hard to understand why they didn’t get enough support to move forward.

Shira

Shira Gavrielov is a pop singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who you might know from American Idol 12. Her participation in the 2013 reality TV show was perhaps overshadowed by her claims of antisemitism against her. However, she is a very skilled musician and could definitely take this contest by storm. She is also the daughter of Israeli rock-star Miki Gavrielov, which could give her some kind of advantage.

Ohad Shragai

Alongside LUKAH, who will also participate in the contest, Ohad Shragai co-wrote “Home”, Israel’s song in ESC 2019. As a singer, he came third in the reality TV show that preceded Next Star, A Star Is Born, in 2009. The winner of that edition was none other than Diana Golbi, the runner-up of The Next Star for Eurovision 2017. Shragai’s rock band, Ilai Botner VeYaldei HaKhutz, won the Israeli Discovery of the Year award in 2012.

Judah Gavra

Apart from having the most Israeli name you can think of, Judah Gavra is known to every Israeli ESC enthusiast. The third runner-up of Kdam 2013 participated in the Sammarinese pre-selection last year and even gave a fiery performance at the most recent Wiwi Jam in Tel Aviv. He is known for his good looks — he works as a personal trainer — and his even better falsetto register. Eurovision fans are waiting to see if the Israeli-American will finally participate in Eurovision (and win Eurovision’s Next Top Male Model). Third times the charm, right?

The other revealed acts were Dana Lapidot, Avihu Pinchasov and Lihi Toledano (Avi Toledano’s daughter).

Interval acts

Outside of the actual competitors, we’ve also learned a bit about this year’s interval acts who will perform delight the crowd at some point during the upcoming season.

The 2019 runner-up, Shefita, who you’ll remember as much for her comedy as her voice, will perform a song during the interval of one of the auditions shows. The other announced interval act is the infamous Ukrainian-born business woman Nicol Raidman. She is known for her role in The Real Housewives of Israel, and her connection to the First Lady of Israel.

What do you expect from this edition of The Next Star for Eurovision? Which participant do you like best? Let us know what you think in the comments section. 

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David
David
5 years ago

Judah Gavra is hot, but he is not really a great singer. Just check out his live performance in KDAM 2013.

Sam
Sam
5 years ago
Reply to  David

I don’t get why it took him this long to try his chance in Israel again, unless he already has a song(s) which he considers as winning material. Knowing that he’s been based in the US for years now, one wonders if he’s treated as an outsider or as the prodigal son. It will be easy to discern if he has shaky vocals: Judges aren’t going to be merciful after the first round of eliminations (assuming he makes it into the team).

Sam
Sam
5 years ago

The Next Star production better make sure it never repeats the Kobi Marimi fiasco again. Marimi won the 2019 edition with a landslide victory and yet the 200 songs submitted to the professional committee were of such poor quality that only 4 of them were even considered as possible choices for the Eurovision final. This kind of disconnect between the winner of the Next Star to the abysmal choice of songs presented during a very short window of time means that it’s almost impossible to come up with a solid quality song. Kobi Marimi’s case proved that songwriters had no… Read more »

Fast Food Music Lover
Fast Food Music Lover
5 years ago

JUDAH GAVRAAA

Paul
Paul
5 years ago

I’d like Chen Aharoni to come back. I’m still not over Or not being a winner!

Idan Cohen
Idan Cohen
5 years ago
Reply to  Paul

But he did come back in 2018..

Pineapple
Pineapple
5 years ago

Romania, send this. Fuego who?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jh36nIYy-dM

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
5 years ago

I’m still wondering what ketreyah’s song would have sounded like had she been chosen to represent Israel.

Nikki
Nikki
5 years ago

The first time Judah tried, my friends and me nicknamed him Judah Ben Hunk. I like see him back.

Idan Cohen
Idan Cohen
5 years ago

Eden Alene will win.
She has vocal cords made out of magic powder.
I will be so proud of her representing us.

Idan Cohen
Idan Cohen
5 years ago
Reply to  Idan Cohen

Also, Yuda is a beautiful sexy man (is he openly gay?), but terrible both at singing and song-writing.
he should just model instead.

Erdi
Erdi
5 years ago
Reply to  Idan Cohen

Judah Gavra got to the top 5 in Kdam and was a finalist in 1in360. Where have you gotten?

Trust me he knows how to sing.

Ana
Ana
5 years ago
Reply to  Erdi

That Kdam was of horrible quality..

Thomas
Thomas
5 years ago

The only one I can see going far in Israel, is Judah, probably because his storyline is that he has tried so many times that he would endear himself to viewers. He also can sing, looks good, an also loves ESC. I feel like hes a perfect candidate. Hopefully he turns it out in the show.

Ana
Ana
5 years ago
Reply to  Thomas

We kinda tried the “lets just send a hunk to confuse all the horny Euroqueens” approach in 2017, and it didn’t work so well. Judah is amazing in all his shirtless pictures but that’s about it.

Sam
Sam
5 years ago
Reply to  Ana

You gotta maximize what works to your advantage like Luca Hanni did this year, but you must excel as a singer-performer and own your style. If Judah Gavra so badly wants to make it at Eurovision, this is probably his last chance. I didn’t see him submitting songs in other countries’ national selection process over the years , with the exception of San Marino which was a one-off format. It’s also possible he is having another go at this so at least he can become a household name in Israel and cash on it commercially. It’s a win-win situation if… Read more »