Simon Cowell has canceled his scheduled appearance as a judge on the upcoming season of “X Factor Israel.”
Late last year, the veteran producer and reality TV judge signed a deal to serve as one of the judges on the next season of the Israeli musical reality show, which is slated to begin filming this summer.
On Sunday, a spokesperson for Reshet, which produces “X Factor Israel,” told Variety that Cowell was canceling “for his own reasons.” Reshet declined to say whether Cowell would have any part in the production of “X Factor Israel” outside of judging.
Amid rumors of his cancellation last week, a Reshet representative told Variety that members of Cowell’s staff had reached out with “legitimate concerns” over his participation in the show after the recent violence between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, but that at the time he had made no final decision.
Representatives for...
Late last year, the veteran producer and reality TV judge signed a deal to serve as one of the judges on the next season of the Israeli musical reality show, which is slated to begin filming this summer.
On Sunday, a spokesperson for Reshet, which produces “X Factor Israel,” told Variety that Cowell was canceling “for his own reasons.” Reshet declined to say whether Cowell would have any part in the production of “X Factor Israel” outside of judging.
Amid rumors of his cancellation last week, a Reshet representative told Variety that members of Cowell’s staff had reached out with “legitimate concerns” over his participation in the show after the recent violence between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, but that at the time he had made no final decision.
Representatives for...
- 5/30/2021
- by Amy Spiro
- Variety Film + TV
Thousands of members of Israel’s entertainment industry convened in Tel Aviv Thursday night for a socially distanced protest calling on the government to provide desperately needed aid.
The event began with a laser light show depicting “150” in huge numbers inside a ticking clock, a reference to the 150,000 entertainment industry workers in the country. Tens of thousands have already lost their jobs, while many more are on unpaid leave. Following the light show, participants lined up to sign a wall-sized petition addressed to the prime minister.
While gatherings bans are in place in Israel, political protests are one of the exceptions to the rule providing protesters maintain distancing guidelines. Police were concerned, however, that some participants were not abiding to the restrictions Thursday night.
Singer Aviv Geffen, one of the protest organizers, called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to meet with him to discuss the crisis. “There is a disaster happening,...
The event began with a laser light show depicting “150” in huge numbers inside a ticking clock, a reference to the 150,000 entertainment industry workers in the country. Tens of thousands have already lost their jobs, while many more are on unpaid leave. Following the light show, participants lined up to sign a wall-sized petition addressed to the prime minister.
While gatherings bans are in place in Israel, political protests are one of the exceptions to the rule providing protesters maintain distancing guidelines. Police were concerned, however, that some participants were not abiding to the restrictions Thursday night.
Singer Aviv Geffen, one of the protest organizers, called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to meet with him to discuss the crisis. “There is a disaster happening,...
- 4/24/2020
- by Amy Spiro
- Variety Film + TV
If you know about the Eurovision Song Contest of 2018 then you might know about Netta Barzilai since she ended up winning the contest. Otherwise you might not know a lot about her since at this point she’s not a big name in the Us at the time. There’s nothing to say that she couldn’t be since winning a contest that happens to be a pretty big deal is usually a good way to start out one’s career, but at this moment it doesn’t seem as though her influence has really reached this far west. It might one of these
10 Things You Didn’t Know about Netta Barzilai...
10 Things You Didn’t Know about Netta Barzilai...
- 5/22/2019
- by Tom
- TVovermind.com
Updated: Madonna’s much-publicized performance at this weekend’s Eurovision Song Contest could be in question after the show’s organizers revealed that no contract has yet been signed. The news comes despite the music legend’s scheduled arrival in Tel Aviv on Wednesday morning aboard the private jet of Israeli-Canadian billionaire Sylvan Adams.
Speaking at a press conference in Tel Aviv on Monday night, Eurovision’s executive supervisor, Jon Ola Sand, who has produced the show since 2010, said: “The European Broadcasting Union has never confirmed Madonna as an act. We don’t have a signed contract with her team, and if we do not have a signed contract, she cannot perform on our stage.”
“The Ebu can confirm that no final decisions have been made, or agreements signed, regarding a performance by Madonna at the Eurovision Song Contest 2019. Any official news and updates will come directly from the Eurovision channels in due course,...
Speaking at a press conference in Tel Aviv on Monday night, Eurovision’s executive supervisor, Jon Ola Sand, who has produced the show since 2010, said: “The European Broadcasting Union has never confirmed Madonna as an act. We don’t have a signed contract with her team, and if we do not have a signed contract, she cannot perform on our stage.”
“The Ebu can confirm that no final decisions have been made, or agreements signed, regarding a performance by Madonna at the Eurovision Song Contest 2019. Any official news and updates will come directly from the Eurovision channels in due course,...
- 5/14/2019
- by Robert Mitchell
- Variety Film + TV
Israeli morning shows were in full-on celebration mode Monday morning, ditching politics-heavy news for wall-to-wall coverage of filmmaker Guy Nattiv — the first Israeli to take home an Oscar in more than four decades.
On Sunday, Nattiv won Best Live Action Short for his movie “Skin” — about a white supremacist father and his young son — giving Israelis a rare and much-welcomed moment of kvelling.
“It’s crazy,” Nattiv told TheWrap Monday. “The whole country is behind ‘Skin.'”
Also Read: Oscars 2019: The Complete Winners List
Just how crazy has it gotten? Israeli TV crews were staked outside the homes of Nattiv’s parents’, sister, and even his aunt at 5 a.m. local time in the hope of landing a quick soundbite from his relatives, who were still in their PJs.
“It’s all anyone can talk about,” Amit Cotler, an entertainment reporter for Israel’s Channel 13, told TheWrap. “It...
On Sunday, Nattiv won Best Live Action Short for his movie “Skin” — about a white supremacist father and his young son — giving Israelis a rare and much-welcomed moment of kvelling.
“It’s crazy,” Nattiv told TheWrap Monday. “The whole country is behind ‘Skin.'”
Also Read: Oscars 2019: The Complete Winners List
Just how crazy has it gotten? Israeli TV crews were staked outside the homes of Nattiv’s parents’, sister, and even his aunt at 5 a.m. local time in the hope of landing a quick soundbite from his relatives, who were still in their PJs.
“It’s all anyone can talk about,” Amit Cotler, an entertainment reporter for Israel’s Channel 13, told TheWrap. “It...
- 2/26/2019
- by Itay Hod
- The Wrap
Prince William's five-day tour of the Middle East has been completely jam-packed so far. Over the past few days, he's taken the sweetest photo in honor of Kate Middleton, successfully avoided World Cup spoilers, and showed off his soccer skills with a group of kids in Israel. But now he's learning all about singing and performing from the 2018 winner of the Eurovision song contest, Netta Barzilai. Netta famously won the contest with the song "Toy," which featured chicken impressions, references to Pikachu, and lyrics about stupid boys. Prince William joined Netta on a walk around Tel Aviv, Israel, where they discussed performing, mental health, and diversity. Netta told BBC, "We talked about the way I changed how people feel here in Israel and about self-esteem and how positivity and setting a good example for people is really making a difference."
The pair was seen laughing and getting along famously,...
The pair was seen laughing and getting along famously,...
- 6/28/2018
- by Tori Crowther
- Popsugar.com
Israeli singer Netta, whose song “Toy” won the Eurovision Song Contest earlier this month, has been signed by S-Curve Records/BMG with representation for the world.
A quirky electronic tune, which features English lyrics and a scat-like vocal, “Toy” has amassed more than 60 million views on YouTube and reached No. 1 on Spotify’s Viral 50 chart around the globe, claiming the top spot in the U.S., UK, and Australia.
The song gained popularity in Israel thanks in large part to the dance featured in the video as well as its strong message. In the Chorus, Netta declares, “I’m not your toy / You stupid boy.”
Netta Barzilai is a 25-year-old singer who won the TV show “Hakokhav Haba,” Israel’s version of “American Idol” format. She was accompanied by a military band during her performance in the Eurovision grand finale, which followed two semi-final rounds.
New York-based S-Curve is home...
A quirky electronic tune, which features English lyrics and a scat-like vocal, “Toy” has amassed more than 60 million views on YouTube and reached No. 1 on Spotify’s Viral 50 chart around the globe, claiming the top spot in the U.S., UK, and Australia.
The song gained popularity in Israel thanks in large part to the dance featured in the video as well as its strong message. In the Chorus, Netta declares, “I’m not your toy / You stupid boy.”
Netta Barzilai is a 25-year-old singer who won the TV show “Hakokhav Haba,” Israel’s version of “American Idol” format. She was accompanied by a military band during her performance in the Eurovision grand finale, which followed two semi-final rounds.
New York-based S-Curve is home...
- 5/29/2018
- by Variety Staff
- Variety Film + TV
I’ve recently become infatuated with Netta Barzilai, the Israeli singer who won the Eurovision competition, held last week in Portugal, with her #Metoo inspired song “Toy.” It was the first time in 20 years that Israel had taken the top prize in the global contest, after dominating in the final years of the 1970s.
Of course, celebrating that winning moment back then, like now, comes with its own challenges. Namely, the seemingly unsolvable Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As an Israeli-American hip-hop artist, analyzing, debating and thinking about it is a constant, and nowhere more confrontational than on social media.
Earlier this week, I clicked on DJ Khaled’s Instagram and noticed a post which included the Dome of the Rock, the Muslim holy site in Jerusalem. The missive, which read: “praying for my people x praying for peace x praying for all my families, praying for everyone #world peace,” had much more...
Of course, celebrating that winning moment back then, like now, comes with its own challenges. Namely, the seemingly unsolvable Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As an Israeli-American hip-hop artist, analyzing, debating and thinking about it is a constant, and nowhere more confrontational than on social media.
Earlier this week, I clicked on DJ Khaled’s Instagram and noticed a post which included the Dome of the Rock, the Muslim holy site in Jerusalem. The missive, which read: “praying for my people x praying for peace x praying for all my families, praying for everyone #world peace,” had much more...
- 5/18/2018
- by Rami Even-Esh
- Variety Film + TV
Israeli singer Netta Barzilai won this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon this weekend. She won the competition with her song “Toy,” a pop anthem that is all about female independence. Barzilai also brought her signature chicken dance for her final performance. Barzilai took the stage in a sparkling corset and kimono, alongside a group […]
Source: uInterview
The post Who Is Netta Barzilai, The Israeli Singer Who Won Eurovision 2018? [Video] appeared first on uInterview.
Source: uInterview
The post Who Is Netta Barzilai, The Israeli Singer Who Won Eurovision 2018? [Video] appeared first on uInterview.
- 5/15/2018
- by Tatyana Samonte Escano
- Uinterview
Israel won the Eurovision contest on Saturday night (May 12) with the song “Toy” by Netta Barzilai. The annual competition was held in Lisbon, Portugal and featured 43 countries competing for the top prize. Eleni Foureira of Cyprus, an island near Turkey, came in second place.
Barzilai is a 25-year-old singer who won the TV show “Hakokhav Haba,” Israel’s version of “American Idol” format. She was accompanied by a military band during her performance in the grand finale, which followed two semi-final rounds.
The quirky electronic tune, which features English lyrics and a scat-like vocal, has amassed more than 27 million views on YouTube. Barzilai completed her military service in the navy band, called Nahal.
It was Israel’s fourth time winning Eurovision after previous victories in 1978 and 1979, and in 1998 with trans performer Dana International.
Barzilai’s win means the next Eurovision contest will be hosted by Israel. The 2018 edition was held...
Barzilai is a 25-year-old singer who won the TV show “Hakokhav Haba,” Israel’s version of “American Idol” format. She was accompanied by a military band during her performance in the grand finale, which followed two semi-final rounds.
The quirky electronic tune, which features English lyrics and a scat-like vocal, has amassed more than 27 million views on YouTube. Barzilai completed her military service in the navy band, called Nahal.
It was Israel’s fourth time winning Eurovision after previous victories in 1978 and 1979, and in 1998 with trans performer Dana International.
Barzilai’s win means the next Eurovision contest will be hosted by Israel. The 2018 edition was held...
- 5/13/2018
- by Variety Staff
- Variety Film + TV
Israeli singer Netta Barzilai gives a cluck about empowering women.
Barzilai is favored to win the Eurovision Song Contest, a massive phenomenon overseas, with a #MeToo anthem of sorts that incorporates chicken sounds.
“People are really connecting with the clucking,” Barzilai told TheWrap. “It’s uplifting.”
Hundreds of millions of viewers around the world follow the Eurovision contest. Barzilai qualified for it by winning “HaKokhav HaBa L’Eurovision” (The Next Star for Eurovision), an Israeli reality singing competition. When it came time to record her entry, “Toy,” Barzilai decided to wing it (sorry) with the chicken sounds.
Also Read: Charlie Rose Faces Backlash Over Proposed #MeToo Redemption Series: 'My Feed Is Just Anger'
The song includes lyrics like: “I’m not your toy, you stupid boy,” and “Barbie got something to say.”
“We knew we were creating something special,” Barzilai said. “But we never thought it would be this crazy.”
“We’ve been getting fan mail from the U.S. and even Arab countries, places that have nothing to do with Europe,” the song’s co-writer, Doron Medalie, told TheWrap. “The Eurovision usually has the same cliche-ridden themes about peace and love. There aren’t a lot of songs using toys as metaphors for men.”
The winner of the Eurovision contest will be named May 12.
Since its March release, the tune has garnered 18 million views on YouTube and another 4.5 million on Facebook.
Betting sites have Barzilai as the odds-on favorite to win, with “Toy” taking up the No. 1 spot with bookmakers according to Esc Daily, a site dedicated to covering the Eurovision contest “as the Olympic Games of music.”
“She’s light years ahead of of anyone else,” said Gal Uchovsky, who served as a judge on the show “Kokhav Nolad” (A Star Is Born) for five seasons. “It’s a great song and it’s very current.”
Also Read: Tony Robbins Dragged Over #MeToo Comments: 'Biggest Pile of Dog S-' (Video)
Estonia’s “La Forza,” which bookies rank second-most likely to win the contest, has 2 million views. The Czech Republic’s entry, “Lie to Me,” another favorite to win, has 3.7 million YouTube views.
According to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, it came in 17th on the list of the most listened-to songs on iTunes in Spain, 36th place in Poland, and 46th in the Netherlands.
“I don’t remember a song that has received that much buzz that long in advance of the contest,” said Ron Jacobsohn, a journalist who’s covered the Eurovision for years. “It’s hitting the right nerve. It’s a song that talks about girl power and does it in a humorist way, despite being dead serious.”
Started in 1956, the Eurovision Song Contest is the longest-running international singing competition, with more than 200 million viewers, according to organizers. It’s largely considered the precursor for singing contests like “American Idol” and “The Voice.”
The 2018 event, held in Lisbon, Portugal this year, also airs in the U.S. For the third consecutive year, the show will be broadcast on Logo. The Viacom network will carry the live finale on May 12.
The internet has made Eurovision popular well outside Europe. Last month, a Ugandan dance group, Spoon Youth, choreographed dance to “Toy.” It has more than a quarter of a million views.
It also got a super-Jewish Yiddish spoof by a singer calling herself “The Kosher Diva.”
The winning Eurovision country also gets to host the following year’s competition. The honor doesn’t come cheap — Ukraine forked over about $24 million for last year’s event, according to the Kyiv Post.
But hosting the live event can boost a county’s image and tourism. Stockholm, which hosted the Eurovision in 2016, saw a boom in international visitors and generated about $30.5 million in revenue, according to the city, which it said was the equivalent to 175 full-time jobs.
Israel has won three times — in 1978, 1979 and 1998. But there are no guarantees the 2019 Eurovision contest will be held in Jerusalem. Last year, the Italian song was favored to win, but ended up sixth after the final tally came in.
Read original story How Did the Chicken Cross the Euro Pop Charts? Starring in a #MeToo Music Anthem At TheWrap...
Barzilai is favored to win the Eurovision Song Contest, a massive phenomenon overseas, with a #MeToo anthem of sorts that incorporates chicken sounds.
“People are really connecting with the clucking,” Barzilai told TheWrap. “It’s uplifting.”
Hundreds of millions of viewers around the world follow the Eurovision contest. Barzilai qualified for it by winning “HaKokhav HaBa L’Eurovision” (The Next Star for Eurovision), an Israeli reality singing competition. When it came time to record her entry, “Toy,” Barzilai decided to wing it (sorry) with the chicken sounds.
Also Read: Charlie Rose Faces Backlash Over Proposed #MeToo Redemption Series: 'My Feed Is Just Anger'
The song includes lyrics like: “I’m not your toy, you stupid boy,” and “Barbie got something to say.”
“We knew we were creating something special,” Barzilai said. “But we never thought it would be this crazy.”
“We’ve been getting fan mail from the U.S. and even Arab countries, places that have nothing to do with Europe,” the song’s co-writer, Doron Medalie, told TheWrap. “The Eurovision usually has the same cliche-ridden themes about peace and love. There aren’t a lot of songs using toys as metaphors for men.”
The winner of the Eurovision contest will be named May 12.
Since its March release, the tune has garnered 18 million views on YouTube and another 4.5 million on Facebook.
Betting sites have Barzilai as the odds-on favorite to win, with “Toy” taking up the No. 1 spot with bookmakers according to Esc Daily, a site dedicated to covering the Eurovision contest “as the Olympic Games of music.”
“She’s light years ahead of of anyone else,” said Gal Uchovsky, who served as a judge on the show “Kokhav Nolad” (A Star Is Born) for five seasons. “It’s a great song and it’s very current.”
Also Read: Tony Robbins Dragged Over #MeToo Comments: 'Biggest Pile of Dog S-' (Video)
Estonia’s “La Forza,” which bookies rank second-most likely to win the contest, has 2 million views. The Czech Republic’s entry, “Lie to Me,” another favorite to win, has 3.7 million YouTube views.
According to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, it came in 17th on the list of the most listened-to songs on iTunes in Spain, 36th place in Poland, and 46th in the Netherlands.
“I don’t remember a song that has received that much buzz that long in advance of the contest,” said Ron Jacobsohn, a journalist who’s covered the Eurovision for years. “It’s hitting the right nerve. It’s a song that talks about girl power and does it in a humorist way, despite being dead serious.”
Started in 1956, the Eurovision Song Contest is the longest-running international singing competition, with more than 200 million viewers, according to organizers. It’s largely considered the precursor for singing contests like “American Idol” and “The Voice.”
The 2018 event, held in Lisbon, Portugal this year, also airs in the U.S. For the third consecutive year, the show will be broadcast on Logo. The Viacom network will carry the live finale on May 12.
The internet has made Eurovision popular well outside Europe. Last month, a Ugandan dance group, Spoon Youth, choreographed dance to “Toy.” It has more than a quarter of a million views.
It also got a super-Jewish Yiddish spoof by a singer calling herself “The Kosher Diva.”
The winning Eurovision country also gets to host the following year’s competition. The honor doesn’t come cheap — Ukraine forked over about $24 million for last year’s event, according to the Kyiv Post.
But hosting the live event can boost a county’s image and tourism. Stockholm, which hosted the Eurovision in 2016, saw a boom in international visitors and generated about $30.5 million in revenue, according to the city, which it said was the equivalent to 175 full-time jobs.
Israel has won three times — in 1978, 1979 and 1998. But there are no guarantees the 2019 Eurovision contest will be held in Jerusalem. Last year, the Italian song was favored to win, but ended up sixth after the final tally came in.
Read original story How Did the Chicken Cross the Euro Pop Charts? Starring in a #MeToo Music Anthem At TheWrap...
- 5/5/2018
- by Itay Hod
- The Wrap
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