She’s already added layers to the Eurovision 2023 iceberg of intrigue by saying her Eurovision 2023 participation was only a “maybe” — despite KAN revealing she was at the top of its wishlist.

But now EuroMix in Israel are reporting that Noa Kirel will confirm her Eurovision participation at a press conference on Wednesday.

As you’ll recall, KAN’s Eurovision committee drew up a list of 78 artists who have performed well on the charts in recent years and then debated among themselves to create a ranked list of artists for ESC 2023. Noa — most definitely Israel’s most popular star — came out on top.

That didn’t mean, however, that Noa and her management were willing to accept the gig or to submit to any and all demands from KAN. No, no, no. 

In mid-July the 21-year-old star told Israel’s Maariv newspaper 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.” 

On Monday Noa revealed in a Bequest 12 interview that she’s made specific demands regarding her participation that include being involved in the writing and choosing of the song and directing the eventual stage show. KAN had planned to have Noa perform three or four songs on a TV show — similar to what Eden Alene did ahead of Rotterdam — and have a jury and the public decide her entry. 

It’s thought that KAN and Noa will give some sense of how the song will be chosen during the press conference on Wednesday.

Eran Suissa, the entertainment correspondent for Israel Hayom, previously reported that “Toy” songwriter Doron Medalie was contacted by Noa Kirel’s team about joining the Israel delegation in some capacity, potentially as a songwriter. 

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.”  

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.”

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Im so fab
Im so fab
2 years ago

I thought she confirmed it a month ago. She tries so hard to create a hype.

Sir Stevia
Sir Stevia
2 years ago
Reply to  Im so fab

She never confirmed it. KAN did.

Esc addict
Esc addict
2 years ago
Reply to  Im so fab

To try to create a fake hype for your country, it’s your speciality, you’re an “expert” in that, chill.

James
James
2 years ago

Nadir Rustamli had said that he wanted to sing rock type of song, until the delegation member stoped him from talking about it more.

motopapi
motopapi
2 years ago

In a way, I feel like they just confirmed her participation. It’s safe to say so. I hope they manage to work things out bc she has it all to do well at the contest 🙂

Vivian
Vivian
2 years ago

So uhh… I’ll just take that as a ‘yes’

Esc addict
Esc addict
2 years ago

Israel, Sweden, are countries really passionate about Eurovision so they really don’t like not doing well in the contest, they are not used to it, so when it happens they bounce back and harder their game even more by bringing the best popstar the country can offer for example, in that case this is Noa. I don’t know if it’s the right move as the Big names in Eurovision tend to not do so well, so in one hand it’s risky because if she fails “the humiliation” would be stronger because of her notoriety, and in another hand it’s a… Read more »

Jofty
Jofty
2 years ago

Yet if he had qualified you wouldn’t have been surprised either? Far superior to Romania which had no business in final. At least there was no “vote exchange”.

Jofty
Jofty
2 years ago
Reply to  Jofty

Oh OK! So spill

Jofty
Jofty
2 years ago
Reply to  Jofty

OK, finally. Out of sight, out of mind.

Yankee
Yankee
2 years ago

I really think Noa will do well at Eurovision. She’ll definitely qualify for the finals. I’ve listened to some of her songs and they’re good. Great pop songs with wide appeal.

Nicky
Nicky
2 years ago
Reply to  Yankee

Generic boring pop songs you mean, and with emma muscat’s flop we know now how well rich people do in this contest, predictable non-qualifier

Focus on us netherlands instead, the dutch balkans with our group Goldband and our dutch turbo folk sound

Ana
Ana
2 years ago

Netta hated Toy with passion and was basically forced to record it. Koby loved “Home” and was happy with the song. Netta won and Koby flopped. Not always artists know what’s best.

Branko86
Branko86
2 years ago
Reply to  Ana

I’ve heard Lena did not like “Satellite” and wanted the song “Love Me” which she wrote together with Stefan Raab to win NF and go to Eurovision with it, but televoting said no and chose “Satellite”.

Maya G
Maya G
2 years ago
Reply to  Ana

That’s a really good point. After Toy was selected Netta was given the opportunity to make it her own (by adding the clucking, the “Ani Lo Booba” bit etc.) which was crucial for the song’s success IMO, so they did a really good job balancing between the “We know best” and the “You do you gurl”.