Netta Barzilai

Barzilai (far left) with members of an Israeli Navy band in 2014.

Barzilai was born in Hod HaSharon, Israel.[1] Her mother is from a Sephardic Jewish family (of Moroccan-Jewish and Libyan-Jewish descent), whereas her father is from an Ashkenazi Jewish family (of Polish-Jewish descent).[2] She has two brothers.[3] As a child, Barzilai lived in Nigeria for four years, where her father, who is an engineer, worked on a project for Israeli company Solel Boneh.[4][5][6]

Barzilai attended Hadarim High School in Hod HaSharon and was a counselor at an Israeli youth movement HaNoar HaOved VeHaLomed.[7] Prior to her military service in the Israel Defense Forces, she spent a Service Year volunteering in the paramilitary Nahal. She completed her military service in the Israeli Navy Band.[8] Afterwards, she studied electronic music at the Rimon School of Jazz and Contemporary Music, however she did not complete a degree there.[9]

In September 2017, Barzilai auditioned for season five of HaKokhav HaBa, Israel's national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest, with "Rude Boy" by Rihanna. After receiving 82% of the votes, she advanced to the second stage of the competition in which she sang "Hey Mama" by David Guetta.[10][11] In February 2018, she performed "Wannabe" by the Spice Girls, and although she lost a duel to Ricky Ben Ari, she proceeded to the next stage after being selected by the judges.[12]

The last song Barzilai performed in the competition was a mashup of "Gangnam Style" by Psy and "Tik Tok" by Kesha. After receiving 210 points from the judges and audience, Barzilai won first place and the right to represent Israel at Eurovision.[13][14][15][16][17]

Eurovision Song Contest 2018

Further information: Eurovision Song Contest 2018

Barzilai at a press conference after qualifying for the final of the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest

On 25 February 2018, it was reported that the song that Barzilai would perform at the Eurovision Song Contest was called "Toy" and that it would be performed in English, apart from a phrase in Hebrew.[18][19][20] The song was written and composed by Doron Medalie and Stav Beger, and produced by Berger. [21]

The song was released on 11 March 2018, and its music video went on to receive more than 20 million views two months before the beginning of Eurovision. On 14 April 2018, Barzilai performed her song at Eurovision in Concert in Amsterdam, the largest Eurovision promotional event.[22] Four days later, she performed the song Hora Heachzut at the torch-lighting ceremony that opened the celebrations of the 70th Anniversary of the Establishment of the State of Israel.[23]

On 8 May 2018, Barzilai participated in the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest, winning the semi-final with 283 points and qualifying for the final on 12 May. In the final, she placed first with televoters and third with international juries, amassing 529 points in total and winning the competition.[24]

• Music in Israel
• Culture of Israel

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Netta Barzilai.

• Netta Barzilai at IMDb
• Netta Barzilai on Facebook

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Imri Ziv	HaKokhav HaBa winner 2018	Succeeded by Kobi Marimi
Preceded by Imri Ziv with "I Feel Alive"	Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018	Succeeded by Kobi Marimi with "Home"
Preceded by Salvador Sobral with "Amar pelos dois"	Winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2018	Succeeded by Duncan Laurence with "Arcade"