Dressed in a pink and red kimono, with two buns on her head and a lot to say. To match a unique yet beautiful voice, 25 year-old Netta is in the antipode of the classic telegenic diva, a difference she assumes totally and proudly.
“Toy” the winning song, co-written by Doron Medalie and Stav Berger, has reached over 17 million views on Youtube and hit the Number one spot on Israel Spotify.
Since the song contest kicked off on May 12 in Lisbon, Israel’s candidate was one of the favorites and not just a few saw her overwhelming victory coming.
With her faces and her moves miming a chicken on a very dancing song, Netta won the dual, announced by the bookmakers, opposing her to the Representatives of Cyprus, the Greek singer from Albanese origin, Eleni Foureira.
The charismatic and atypical singer often expressed her aim to be a role model and a voice to communicate this important message of awakening to both women and social justice, particularly defending the image of the larger woman in this area of Instagram “perfect” skinny girls.
Her performance was a particular hit and seduced the viewers of the show. Their votes made the difference and have made the victory a reality for Netta. At the outcome of the professional votes from the jurys, Israel raised to third position with 212 points, just behind Sweden (253 points) and Austria (271 Points).
The audience votes in the participating nations, propelled Israel at the top-ranking spot with a total of 529 points. Israel was awarded by 8 countries and received 12 points from Australia, Azerbaijan, France, Georgia Moldova, San Marino, Spain and Ukraine.
On the eve of the first day of the week, at 1:30 am, the party started in Tel aviv , people were awake celebrating the win. On the famous Rabin Square, thousands of Israelis were enjoying the victory. There were celebrations in Jerusalem as well, on Mahane Yehuda street market.
Netta concluded her victory by screaming: "I love my country, next year in Jerusalem," and "Thank you, Europe!”
Jerusalem played the proud host of the famous event in 1979 and in 1999, and will proudly host the show next year.
Netta’s rising star marks the fourth victory for Israel at Eurovision after 1978, 1879 and 1998 with more than a catchy and happy beat song, her theme’s powerful lyrics lit the core of the MeToo movement on Saturday at the famed pop music event.
The first victory of Israel in the song contest dated from 1978 with "Ah-Bah-Nee-Bee" performed by Izhar Cohen and Alphabeta. The country won again the year after in 1979 with the modern classic song “"Hallelujah".
Another iconic and original character of the Eurovision winners is Dana International. Dana won in 1998 and amazed the judges with her song “Diva” and topped it by being the first transgender to win the Eurovision song contest back when the LGBT community – certainly not a transgender - had almost never been portrayed or accepted in mainstream pop culture.
From Dana to Netta, Israel’s representatives to the Eurovision song contest has sent candidates that have not only changed the way that we see how our pop icons should look or be like, but has also shown us that there is much more than just glitter and a good face to give the world the gift of music with a good mission.
Congratulations to Netta and next year in Israel!