The rumours are true: Mergui finished second to Noa Kirel in Israel’s internal selection for Eurovision 2023. But that in no way means he’ll perform at the song contest if Noa eventually declines.
As you’ll recall, superstar Noa has said her participation remains a “maybe” as she considers the ups and downs of competing. The question of who would absorb the cost of participation has reportedly become an issue, raising further questions about whether her team will accept.
Israeli web site Frogi has now approached the runner-up in the internal selection — that’s Yehonatan Ya’akov “Jonathan” Mergui — to see whether he’d like to fly the flag instead of his ex-girlfriend Noa.
The 22-year-old was polite and cordial about it all, but the answer seems to be “no, thank you.”
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“Super happy about the choice of Noa,” he said. “She can totally represent us.”
“And yes, it’s the second time that I am in second place with something related to Eurovision. The last time we won [with Netta], so maybe it’s actually good to leave it like that.”
So would he accept the offer or not?
“It’s too big for me to even think about. I don’t see myself in Eurovision right now, at least not in the next two years, but it is a huge honour to represent the country.”
If both Noa and Mergui formally decline the offer to sing at Eurovision, it would seem that KAN would have to turn to the third-place finisher in its selection.
Some of you may be wondering: Why did he enter the selection if he wasn’t interested? Well it turns out he didn’t.
This year Israel’s broadcaster drew up a list of 78 artists who have been successful on the charts between 2019 and 2021. They then debated who should go to the song contest…without assessing the stars’ interest first.
Speaking to Frogi, Mergui said he wasn’t even aware that such a selection committee existed.
About Mergui
Back in 2018, he finished second in The Next Star for Eurovision — Israel’s national selection for Lisbon. The winner, of course, was Netta — who went on to win Eurovision in Lisbon, bringing the contest to Tel Aviv in 2019.
Ahead of the final of The Next Star, he narrowly topped our reader’s poll — earning 34% of the vote to Netta’s 33%.
- Jonathan Mergui — 34% (469 votes)
- Netta Barzilai— 33% (454 votes)
- Chen Aharoni— 22% (307 votes)
- Riki Ben Ari— 11% (158 votes)
Here’s how Israeli Wiwiblogger Ron described him at the time.
“At only 18 years of age, Jonathan has already adopted a stage name: Mergui. He looks and sounds like a combination of Shawn Mendes and Kristian Kostov — two talents that are currently lighting up the charts.”
“He charmed everyone right from his first auditions — so young and yet so talented! He is also the son of a well-known Israeli singer named Meital Trabelsi. He can sing, he can dance, he captures your attention. And whether or not he wins, he’s most def a star.”
“The judges Static & Ben El Tavori took a selfie with him after his first audition and said they will take another selfie with him at the final of the show, as they think he will win it.”
Don’t worry honey, we dont want you in Eurovision..
Are they asking everyone with citizenship?
Who is the third of the list? I heard it could be Itay Levy or the Turkish blondie from X Factor 2022 (i don’t remember her name , she came fourth at X factor)
Nobody said anything about it. But I bet it is ran danker or static and Ben el
The Turkish Blondie from X Factor (Lynette) doesn’t meet the criteria the committee set for itself. They only considered artist who were either on the most played lists of several radio stations or were shortlisted for best male artist/female artist/band in those radio stations’ year end charts over the past three years. Lynette has no career in Israel and is unknown to most Israelis.Itay Levy meets the criteria, but I doubt he came third. My bet is on either Eden Ben Zaken, Agam Buhbut or Static & Ben El.
I think she meant Sapir
Oh, right. Forgot she also has Turkish roots. She doesn’t meet the criteria either as she was never on the most-played list or shortlisted for best female artist of the year.
Ok! Israël is litteraly the wiwi summer saga this year!
home by kobi marimi… is one of the best songs ever?
it’s one of the worst if you ask me. along with jendrik’s i don’t feel hate
Jendrik’s song at least wasn’t serious
I thought it was wonderful I can’t understand how it did so badly.
i mean it surely isn’t israel’s worst entry but in no way is the best song ever let’s get real
Like you literally participated in the eurovision pre round in the past but it’s too big for you?
Now he has too much to lose.
Back then he was anonymous
But why did he then take part in the selection for Eurovision 2018 if it is too big for him? I am so fed up with people who use Eurovision only to be more popular or gain attention to promote their own career.
I appreciate Israel trying different things, clearly after a NQ they want an established & current artist, I think internally selecting an artist early is a smart strategy so they can prepare in advance, the Israeli team are clearly aware that matching a song, where songwriters don’t know who their really writing for, then giving it to an artist doesn’t allow for the most creative or meaningful entry for the artist but at least ask the actual artist first if they even want the ticket to Eurovision
Noa has better songs..and I think there is no way she is not going.
of course she is going, even better she wants Doron as her composer, soooo generic cliché song incoming then LOL from the new ”dream team”
this will do so much worse than MBD and that’s a fact
Choosing artists without them saying yes is very… KAN. Somebody needs to explain to them the concept of consent. As well as to MBD.
Actually it has been reported already that Kan approached noa’s managers days before they decided. So it seems she knew what will come
Where is the consent to do the project?
Noa’s managers and her label accepted it(don’t know if she really has a say in this.)
Mergui’s manager already refused(not only for him but also for other artists.)
By the millionth time, she agreed. An artist like Noa can be booked for Eurovision over a phone call like this. I can assure you that weeks before she was announced there were talks with her agent, label and overall team which ended with a green light from her. I believe that this “maybe” thing is a card against Kan as they’re working on a contract including the money to be spent from both sides, which I agree should have been signed before perhaps.
What a promotion move from Israel the last few days. I personally don’t care, Israel was never among my favourites!
Bruh, you haven’t seen what they got in store stfu