Photo by Avi Zaikaner

It took a month to make it official, but Noa Kirel has finally confirmed that she will represent Israel at Eurovision 2023. 

Speaking at a press conference in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, the “Thought About It” hitmaker was full of praise for her fans, who have been pushing her to accept the offer.

“I think I said everything I had to say about my excitement, the weight on my shoulders and the pride I feel.”

“Thank you for all the love you are spreading, for the huge support you gave me from the moment I was chosen and for the privilege to represent my country.”

Noa is taking nothing for granted. She understands she must find the right song for the moment and bring exceptional staging. 

“The fact that I succeed here in Israel doesn’t mean that I arrive and automatically win. It doesn’t work like that.” 

The song selection process has not yet been determined. Regardless of how that shapes up, we know Noa will deliver some tunes to remember. Her track record shows she knows how to select a song and has several accomplished producers and songwriters at her disposal.

Noa, Israel’s biggest pop star of recent times, has dominated the charts in the country since the release of her #1 hit “Killer” when she was just 14 years old. After years of judging on X Factor, Kirel will take centre stage and represent Israel at Eurovision 2023.

Noa has released 41 singles, mostly in the hip-hop and electro-pop genre. Her influences range from K-pop to EDM. She had won two MTV Europe Awards by the time she was 19. She is currently storming the Israeli charts with her comedic dance-pop track “Shlosha Banot” (a corruption of Shalosh Banot, meaning three girls).

The Israeli Eurovision committee, comprised of ten experts from KAN and Galats radio, chose Kirel from among 78 established artists, and gave her the right of first refusal. She accepted the invitation following prolonged discussions in recent weeks.

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. 

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FuFu
FuFu
1 year ago

Her attitude has been a bit snobbish in some interviews.

Sher
Sher
1 year ago

Noa performed in front of 30,000 people in her own concert and hosted the singer gayle.
Link to their joint duet from the show
https://youtu.be/xHeeAqEE1ow

Pauly
Pauly
1 year ago

WOW well done to KAN for choosing a big name to represent them despite the bad result this year. Other countries should take notes. I wonder if that means they want to win?

I checked Noa’s management team and they are veeery powerful and the budget will be HIGH. I have high expectations and I am sure they will choose a strong entry.

Theresa May
Theresa May
1 year ago

So we have our winner?

Kobe
Kobe
1 year ago

Let the drama begin…

Yush
Yush
1 year ago
Reply to  Kobe

She is coming…… she will blow our minds you wouldn’t believe it

Gili
Gili
1 year ago

Next year in jerusalem, its about time to bring the contest to the holy city(:

Sir Stevia
Sir Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  Gili

Nah lol. If we win again it should be TA again lmao.

Ari
Ari
1 year ago
Reply to  Gili

Next year in the UK. It’s a fact!

gili
gili
1 year ago
Reply to  Ari

2024 i mean , lol.
but i guess that even if israel wins the ebu will do problems to host the contest in jerusalem. they are afraid of the muslims trying to destroy the contest with terror attacks and big mess.

Maya G
Maya G
1 year ago

Noa was never a judge on X Factor, mind you. She was a Judge on Israel Got Talent.

Khwenk
Khwenk
1 year ago

Noa Kirel. The face that sunk 1000 ships. Disgusting face.

Sir Stevia
Sir Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  Khwenk

Who hurt you?

motopapi
motopapi
1 year ago
Reply to  Khwenk

wtf

Esc addict
Esc addict
1 year ago

If only France did the same kind of move as Israel and announced Indila for 2023…..dare to dream BIG….but it’s never going to happen I know.

Bart
Bart
1 year ago
Reply to  Esc addict

France had normally a good selection, yes Indila is the Wow factor, hopefully she wants to go to eurovision some day.

Pauly
Pauly
1 year ago
Reply to  Esc addict

Indila is not big in France anymore, she hasn’t had a big hit since her debut album like 10 years ago but yeah her style would be a hit. France needs someone like Kendji Girac.

Esc addict
Esc addict
1 year ago
Reply to  Pauly

“Parle à ta tête” is recent and was a big hit.

OMG23
OMG23
1 year ago

Safura 2.0

Ifty
Ifty
1 year ago
Reply to  OMG23

Not even similar?

Maya G
Maya G
1 year ago

Noa Kirel (Israel 2023) singing with Shlomo Artzi (Israel 1975) at his concert a few weeks ago:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=458551466077298

Lolll lolla
Lolll lolla
1 year ago
Reply to  Maya G

Wait that was called singing? ??? ????? ??? ???? ????
that is the day that we all
Found out she has no nice voice it has always bin the dances, she can be a dancer , and aksow if she is so hesitant about doing Eurovision maibi she shouldn’t,, their r a lot of talented israely female artist who TRULY KNOW HOW TO sing

Ifty
Ifty
1 year ago
Reply to  Lolll lolla

Dafaq? She sounds fine

Thallo
Thallo
1 year ago

Israel, please don’t send Noa with a basic pop song that has an Israeli-sounding instrumental. Every single year since I started watching Eurovision (2014), Israel has found a way to use the exact same violin-sounding-instrument (I’m sure you know the one I’m talking about if you listen to Toy, Set Me Free, Golden Boy, Feker Libi… etc) and it’s quite annoying now.

We want something fresh and unique. That’s what wins Eurovision!

Sir Stevia
Sir Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  Thallo

You do realize that Toy won Eurovision right?
I get your point but all the tracks you mentioned sound Israeli yet unique in their own right.

Yush
Yush
1 year ago
Reply to  Thallo

Listen. Noa will bring something else…. I know lots of people doubt her. But let me tell you. The moment she steps on that stage everybody’s jaw will drop. She has 1 year to get ready and she is coming….. This can go both ways but let’s hope we will experience a moment of A Star Was Born kinda thing cause she can be spectacular… just saying. With the right bop and the right choreo & dance break she will slay the whole contest. Lots of love

Nicky
Nicky
1 year ago

let’s see what generic song she’ll come up with then

not liking this girl already, comes across quite spoiled, daddy being a big glass company ceo

wonder how much her family has paid for her to represent israel

Ifty
Ifty
1 year ago
Reply to  Nicky

They didn’t need to pay anything. She’s currently the biggest pop star in the country by her own right, she might actually make more money than her father does (speculated to lose at least 600,000 Euro by lost revenue just by missing gigs during the time of doing the whole Eurovision thing) and her participating was basically the ideal of almost every Israeli Eurovision fan.

Matt
Matt
1 year ago
Reply to  Nicky

Honestly, coming from Israel and not the biggest Noa fan, she worked her butt off to be where she is right now. She is super kind and sweet girl. In the beginning of her career she faced a lot of backlash from people and still till this day. She is very polarizing, her stage persona is not who she is behind the scenes.

Ritoli
Ritoli
1 year ago

In 2023 it will be exactly 25 years since Israel’s victory with the song “Diva” in the Eurovision Song Contest held in the United Kingdom. Will they recreate the success? It looks like they are on the right track.

Alo
Alo
1 year ago
Reply to  Ritoli

And maybe in Birmingham again

TheOnlyOne
TheOnlyOne
1 year ago
Reply to  Ritoli

That’s really premature…. Anything can happen.

Dndndndjd
Dndndndjd
1 year ago
Reply to  TheOnlyOne

It really is they forget darude in 2019

Chris
Chris
1 year ago
Reply to  Ritoli

No they will win again in 2038 like they normally do!

volt
volt
1 year ago
Reply to  Chris

most likely we will win in 2038 ,but anything can happen

Krony
Krony
1 year ago

Apart of being the most successful artist in Israel popular music atm, people in Israel really like her because she is really down to earth. In all of her interviews she’s being very nice and she doesn’t take her success for granted, even though she has tons of budget and great management. She’s not gonna be another MBD that’s for sure. Another names in her league in Israel would expect to slay in the contest and would be disappointed if they don’t and that’s would drive them off the whole thing. It was mentioned a lot of times in articles… Read more »

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
1 year ago

Interesting and great choice which is mostly driven by the hope of becoming the next
act to go viral like måneskin, arcade etc. It’s great that record companies see eurovision is an opportunity for that.

I’m very curious as to who the UK is going to send on home ground.

Luke B
Luke B
1 year ago
Reply to  Frisian esc

Just do a x-year deal with Tap Music – they clearly know what they’re doing.

Efraim
Efraim
1 year ago
Reply to  Luke B

No lies detected.

motopapi
motopapi
1 year ago
Reply to  Frisian esc

I have no idea, and there’s too many layers but personally, I’d be over the moon of New Hope Club or London Grammar get the ticket for next year!

Hiiiiie
Hiiiiie
1 year ago

Many people are rightfully commenting that we’ve seen big stars crash at ESC in the past, but I think what make Noa pretty unique is that she’s currently at the height of her fame, with the best writers and producers in Israel at her disposal and the backup from Atlantic Records. Something interesting they mentioned in the press conference is that they already received many offers from writers, including from abroad. AFAIK Israel has always used only local writers and producers and it will be interesting if they go with a different route this time. Personally I think we should… Read more »

Maya G
Maya G
1 year ago
Reply to  Hiiiiie

I agree in principle that writers should be local or at least have some affinity to the country they’re writing for, and also specifically regarding Noa Kirel – her Israeli singles are much more unique and memorable compared to her international singles, who are pretty unremarkable and flavorless IMO.

Yudhistira Mahasena
1 year ago

Good for KAN they chose the right artist at the right time. Noa Kirel is such a big deal and a well-known Israeli pop star. Of course she would bring Israel back to the top 3 with a great song.

I knew I wanted STAYC before KAN picked Noa (which I didn’t expect), but there’s always another chance for them to represent Israel in the near future.

Polegend Godnova
1 year ago

huh? why would you want a random south korean girl group to represent israel?

Eurotoxic
Eurotoxic
1 year ago

I like that she has things clear

It doesn’t matter how important you are, we had a legend like Bonnie Tyler, is the song and how you present that to the audience.

Take time choosing the right one girl!

Ria NL
Ria NL
1 year ago

Let ‘s hope for a good song

Im so fab
Im so fab
1 year ago
Reply to  Ria NL

Yes, let’s hope they will keep it simple. No deep messages and Swedish contributions.

Sir Stevia
Sir Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  Im so fab

Deep messages are bad?

motopapi
motopapi
1 year ago
Reply to  Sir Stevia

Not necessarily, but too many artists try too hard to give depth to their songs when people is also fine with fun and simple songs

Maxim
Maxim
1 year ago

It’s amazing that such a big star like Noa agrees to represent Israel. Of course (as many people have stated) being famous isn’t a guarantee for success, but I just can’t believe that she will not do well and come up with a very good song …

Esc addict
Esc addict
1 year ago

First artist of the next edition and the new season has not even officialy started, Israel is so motivated, Noa has the all package, she has everything to be successful in Eurovision but as we all know Eurovision is so unpredictable, you can have it all and still not do well while some acts totally unestablished and really fanciful end in the top 10 or even in the top 5 at the Grand Final which is completely frustrating we’re not gonna lie but that’s Eurovision, so Noa be prepared for that and good luck to you girl and good luck… Read more »

Esc addict
Esc addict
1 year ago
Reply to  Esc addict

First artist announced but we will have the song certainly in March among the last, it means 7 months of waiting, more than half a year, Israel don’t be so hard with us please 😉

gili
gili
1 year ago
Reply to  Esc addict

just because she has million dolar team behind her, they will not let her flop with bad song or staging, its not an option

Esc addict
Esc addict
1 year ago
Reply to  Esc addict

Read again my comment maybe, I’ve never said that but quite the contrary…

Moon
Moon
1 year ago

Thank you israel for making Eurovision interesting again!

razz
razz
1 year ago

I wanted her or Anna Zak to represent Israel for a while, so happy about this!!

Krony
Krony
1 year ago
Reply to  razz

While Anna Zak has catchy songs, she’s terrible in live singing, so I don’t think she would be a good choice.

jack
jack
1 year ago

She has the package and even though I am nervous for her, the fact that she will be involved makes me happy and optimistic that they won’t just buy a melfest reject and give it to her (hello Malta how ya doin)

Sir Stevia
Sir Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  jack

Azerbaijan: Hey yo you forgot about me I buy reject that are even more trash 😀

Joe
Joe
1 year ago
Reply to  Sir Stevia

Malta and Azerbaijan got what they deserved this year

motopapi
motopapi
1 year ago
Reply to  Joe

Azerbaijan not so much, they still made it to the finale xd

Sir Stevia
Sir Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  Joe

Azerbaijan did not get what they deserved this year. They qualified. If the public had their way they would have been dead last with 0 like they deserved.

Sir Stevia
Sir Stevia
1 year ago

I really don’t think her fame is an advantage or a disadvantage since she’s only famous locally, so her fame will have no affect on televoters and I don’t feel it will on juries either. I’m very excited and nervous for her, obviously this is a huge deal and I’m expecting a sail to the final based on her talent alone but if the song is not good enough obviously a top 10 finish is unlikely. We will likely see a typical cool Noa Kirel English pop banger with some Israeli and perhaps EDM elements infused. They have so much… Read more »

Fast Food Music Lover
Fast Food Music Lover
1 year ago

She’s a total package but whether or not it will bring Israel a good result next year, I’m not sure. There’s a long list of famous acts going to Eurovision and eventually flopped. We’ll just have to wait and see. Good luck!

Hannah
Hannah
1 year ago

Her fame is only within Israel which means nothing.

Polegend Godnova
1 year ago

my expectations are sky-high. and i’m so happy noa’s demands included being directly involved in the writing/selection of the song, that’s a fundamental aspect. the concept of forcing artists to record songs they don’t like was pretty much left in the 2000s in western music industries, what people want now is genuine acts who are visibly involved in the creation of their art.

Hannah
Hannah
1 year ago

I’ve never heard of her!! She’s no different to any other YAS SLAY GIRL bop we get every single year

Gili
Gili
1 year ago
Reply to  Hannah

Its not another pop star girl, noa is signed in atlantic records and the team behind her is top notch, millions will be invested in her number, you will see

Hannah
Hannah
1 year ago
Reply to  Gili

Who cares if she’s signed to Atlantic Records? Sam Ryder is signed to Warner Music it’s hardly a big deal for the biggest singing contest. Money doesn’t win the competition.

gili
gili
1 year ago
Reply to  Hannah

money and top notch team behind her brings good song and staging, no one will let her flop, its not an option

Sir Stevia
Sir Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  Hannah

“I’ve never heard of her therefore she’s exactly like other basic pop female artists”
Great logic there : )

Hannah
Hannah
1 year ago
Reply to  Sir Stevia

I meant before now. Her music is very generic and this reaction is no different to Ireland, Austria, Albania and Cyprus 2022 who all DNQ.

gili
gili
1 year ago
Reply to  Hannah

be positive hannah, why are you trying to lower the expectations from her? not nice

Sir Stevia
Sir Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  Hannah

Albania: Fked up their own staging

Austria: Most people did not have hope in Pia’s vocal and that ended up coming true. If she could sing the song as it is in the studio cut Halo would have advanced easily.

Ireland & Cyprus: I agree these was overhyped. I never had strong confidence in either of these.

I find some of her songs to be very cool and quite original. Paamon & Trilili Tralala come to mind.

apollinischesprinzip
apollinischesprinzip
1 year ago

esc 2023 is off to a great start. noa will for sure be in the top 10, or at least on the left side of the scoreboard. and it’s nice to see such huge stars going to esc and i really like her attitude so far! 🙂

i wonder which country will be next… i’m guessing bulgaria/belgium?

Esc addict
Esc addict
1 year ago

I wish her to be at least on the left side of the scoreboard but nothing is guaranteed and sure in Eurovision unfortunately. My guess is Belgium for the next country.