Will she or won’t she? That’s the question on the lips of Eurovision fans around the world as superstar Noa Kirel debates whether to accept the offer to sing for Israel at Eurovision 2023.

On Wednesday the “Killer” hitmaker spoke with Israel’s Maariv newspaper, repeatedly saying that she needs more time to “brainstorm” a potential Eurovision run.

“It’s a competition that relies on politics, but on the other hand it is also a big stage and that offers a lot exposure,” she said. “Fear has never stopped me from trying things and life is about taking risks and getting up.”

“Is this the thing that will expose me to the world? Or could it be the other way around? That’s why I need to brainstorm and understand how I approach this.”

Commenters on the Maariv web site were quick to point out that Eurovision 2018 winner Netta managed to win with a good song, despite any politics that surround the contest.

Meanwhile, the songwriter who helped get Netta to the top is reportedly in talks to join Israel’s Eurovision delegation.

Eran Suissa, the entertainment correspondent for Israel Hayom, reports that “Toy” songwriter Doron Medalie was contacted by Noa Kirel’s team about the matter, which suggests to us that she is taking the offer very seriously and looking to surround herself with people who understand the game. 

Medalie previously worked as Noa’s artistic director, giving her hits like “If You Are a Man” and “Tikitas.” He also turned Israel’s fortunes around at Eurovision with songs like “Golden Boy” and “Made of Stars.” It’s reasonable to assume, then, that his role on the delegation would involve writing the song or at least having major input into its selection. 

But he told Eran at Israel Hayom that he wants to see some big changes within Israel’s Eurovision team and that such changes will be essential for Kirel to climb the scoreboard. He suggested strongly that there are messy scenes behind the curtain at broadcaster KAN.

“We need to devote enormous resources to Noa and a professional team made up of the best talents and professionals we have,” he said. “To produce such a system will require a real revolution in attitude. We create the illusion that it is so simple but the truth is that it is the most complex undertaking.”

Israeli Eurovision site EuroMix reports that there are tensions about how to fund Noa’s potential participation in Eurovision — and who exactly would absorb the costs.

As they explain, the country’s broadcaster was able to finance most of the costs in previous years because of profits earned through advertising during its various national selection shows. But with an internal selection for Eurovision 2023, that source of revenue isn’t available, leading to suggestions that the artist may have to foot the bill.

It’s only July but the popcorn is already popping. Stay tuned…

 

@wiwibloggs_official Israel has confirmed @Noa Kirel as its #Eurovision 2023 singer! #esc2023 #eurovision2023 #noakirel #fyp #foryoupage ♬ original sound – wiwibloggs

26 Comments
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2022
1 year ago

Toy is one of rhe worst song ever

Monika
Monika
1 year ago

People got tired of the same recyled recipe year by year from Israel… Golden Boy, then IMRI, then Netta… Then Eden with Set me free, and now Ben this year… I think it’s getting repetitive an Israel won’t qualify. They should try something new, a new approach. Maybe a ballad, maybe a boy band, but not the same up-tempo banger with oriental hook. We got tired of that old record, played since 2015 until this year. Make a change!

Meckie
Meckie
1 year ago

If the gossip is right, then the song “Riba De Luxe” by Serbian singer Milica, which was written by Doron, Chen Aharoni and Noa was originally a demo version for taking part in Eurovision. Just check the songwriting credits on this song “Riba de luxe”.

Yudhistira Mahasena
1 year ago

If KAN wants to bring back Kdam Eurovision, it’s about time they do it soon. However, if they ever bring it back starting this year, and never to pull it out, the songs will be all from Noa, like the whole deal with Mei Finegold in 2014.

Fatima
Fatima
1 year ago

“It’s a competition that relies on politics …”
Yawn

motopapi
motopapi
1 year ago
Reply to  Fatima

Ukraine won this year, of course people will have that opinion for a while

David
David
1 year ago

What about Anna Zak? She seems to be pretty popular in Israel as well (judging from top 50 Spotify Israel).

Alo
Alo
1 year ago
Reply to  David

She’s not a vocalist.

Maya G
Maya G
1 year ago
Reply to  David

She’s incredibly beautiful and gorgeous but she’s not really a singer. More like a YouTuber who also sings, and I’m not sure she can carry a live performance.

Ares
Ares
1 year ago

I’m already tired of the new israeli drama

Alo
Alo
1 year ago
Reply to  Ares

There is not really drama lol. But at least they made the eurovision season start earlier.

Joe
Joe
1 year ago
Reply to  Alo

Yeah there’s nothing dramatic about any of this.

Jerrome
Jerrome
1 year ago
Reply to  Ares

what drama? lol she sign in ATLANTIC RECORDS. same label of Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Cardi B, Lizzo and more of the biggest names right now. Taking the ESC trip for her its a big risk and need to take so many things in considoration. Theres no “drama”, just life and schedualing.

Fatima
Fatima
1 year ago
Reply to  Ares

Yeah, I still remember being told that they might not be in Turin because of security fears. More made-up fluff.

James
James
1 year ago

And when she finally confirms, I expect peoplw to post xomments along the lines of “Is that your final answer?”

Hehe

GojoSatoru
GojoSatoru
1 year ago
Reply to  James

????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????

GojoSatoru
GojoSatoru
1 year ago
Reply to  GojoSatoru

Rip. The ASCII-art doesn’t work.

Fast Food Music Lover
Fast Food Music Lover
1 year ago

Hopefully she won’t take too long to “brainstorm” because Trisha Paytas is ready to take her place anytime.

Alo
Alo
1 year ago

Well her personal manager shared stories about her and the eurovision nonstop. I guess she will go and they just need to finalize the budget(and as she is noa kirel the cost will be high.)

Joe
Joe
1 year ago
Reply to  Alo

Yeah I think, like I said before, she just doesn’t want to show her whole hand just yet.

Joe
Joe
1 year ago

I hear her, as someone who’s Jewish with family in Israel, about the politics thing, but for better or worse, Eurovision has always been pretty welcoming to Israel (and for us Jews, it’s one of the few major international events we can cheer Israel on in that they have a chance of doing well in, besides certain Olympic sports and the World Baseball Classic). I remember in 2021, when Eurovision came at a pretty tense time in the conflict, I honestly was worried Eden wouldn’t make the final because of that, but the quality of her performance got her through.… Read more »

Joe
Joe
1 year ago
Reply to  Joe

*the comments section of a Eurovision blog isn’t the place to debate it, is how I meant to finish that sentence.

Joe
Joe
1 year ago
Reply to  Joe

Fundamentally, I really do believe any country can win Eurovision with the right song. Eurovision is fun because the bracket gets reset every year. It’s not like football where you can expect the same national teams to usually do well every time (although there are perennials like Italy, Sweden, Ukraine, etc.). The last half a decade or so has been nothing but countries swinging wildly between great results and lousy results (except Italy), comebacks and fall-offs. Three of last year’s top four were in the televote’s bottom 5 this year, and the countries in second and third this year hadn’t… Read more »

apollinischesprinzip
apollinischesprinzip
1 year ago
Reply to  Joe

happy to see someone who is neither pro- nor anti-israel (same)

David
David
1 year ago
Reply to  Joe

I think there is something about politics, but I strongly dislike that whenever Israel doesn’t qualify to the final, half the talkbacks in the Israeli media is like “They all hate us, we cold send the best in the universe, and would never make it to the final”. This despite Israel being one of the best in the contest, and what about other countries like Ireland, who didn’t qualify for years. Is all of Europe suddenly Anti-Irish?

Joe
Joe
1 year ago
Reply to  David

It’s the same argument from every country that does badly. Europe either doesn’t like them, doesn’t know them well enough, or both.