Israel used to select their entrant for Eurovision Song Contest through a music show “HaKokhav HaBa” (The Next Star) since the second season of the show, the winner of it was Nadav Guedj, later on the ones to win the show were Hovi Star, Imri Ziv, Netta, Kobi Marimi and the most recent winner was Eden Alene. As we informed you in April the new way of selection for the representative of Israel at Eurovision Song Contest is going to take place as X Factor Israel will be the show to determine their representative at the contest and Israeli media reveal new details regarding the show.
According to Euromix the judges panel will consist out of the winner of Eurovision 2018 Netta Barzilai, Israeli rock musician, singer, songwriter and record producer, Aviv Geffen, Israeli singer and television personality, Margalit Tsanani, actor, model and singer, Ran Danker as well as singer and actress Miri Mesika. Simon Cowell was announced to be part of the panel too but as Israel Hayom reports it has been revealed that he won’t be taking part at the show due to the recent events in Israel.
This won’t be the first edition of the show as its first season premiered back in 2013 and so far it had been on for three seasons, last has ended in 2018 and all three were hosted by one of hosts of Eurovision 2019, Bar Refaeli. The upcoming 4th season will be hosted by Liron Weizmann. However this may result with additional program in order for Israel to chose their song but the details of it haven’t been revealed yet. In order to select their entries for Eurovision 2020 and 2021, KAN used a special show through which their Eurovision entry was selected.
It is also good to note that the last winner of X Factor Israel was also the one who won HaKokhav HaBa in 2020 and got a chance to represent the country at Eurovision this year, Eden Alene. She set the record for performing the highest note at the Eurovision Song Contest – B6 so called whistle tone. Israel finished on 18th place with 93 points. You can check her performance at the link below
What are your expectations of the X Factor Israel? Do you think the show could be a good successor to HaKokhav HaBa? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below as well as on our social media links!
