Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Photo by Ronen Akerman Hovi Star is representing Israel in the Eurovision song contest 2016 in Stockholm fulfilling a life long dream. He become household name in Israel in 2009 after taking part in a reality TV show Star is born . He didn't win but he's been around ever since thanks to his unique persona and voice. He has continued to release songs, doing gigs and even has been dubbing a lot of Disney and is known for his interest in fashion. Doron Medalie who also wrote Israel's succesful Golden boy last year, is behind his song and tells: "This emotional ballad was written about our lives as human race, about the here and now. We are all connected in the virtual world while in real life we are disengaging from one another. The differences between human beings are getting stronger and the reality forces us to choose - shall we reconnect and help one another in real lifeor should we keep distancing ourselves and stay indifferent. Made of stars remind us that ...

Israel sailed to the Eurovision song cotest final this May with Nadav Guedj's Golden boy for the first time for ages. Now the song gets a Greek treatment by Eleni Foureira. Is it an improvement or a miss?

Israel next on stage. It all starts with a single spotlight on Navad while he nelsts out his souldful intro. Then the lights come up and his backing singers come alive and it's party time. He has his three dancers and two backing vocalists who have also their own choreography that would put many lovely 60's ladies in shame. Lots of colors and flashing lights, oriental motives and the huge light eye blinking through the song. Quite a few steady cam shots, too, in propriate moments. For the finale the backing singers join the formtion that is a modern interpretation of the legendary Israeli Eurovision choreographies like Hora/Hi/Ole ole. And as an icing on the cake a groupie taken in the end. This is fun and surely will get the audience along come Thursday. And Saturday. This year Israel will qualify. If Nadav has a sparkle in his eyes and smile on his lips and a little flirt going on. Otherwise....

Israel kicked off the fourth day of rehearsals, and the last one for the semifinalists for their first technical one. Apparently there were quite a few problems with the first run through but all seems to be sorted out for the next ones and most everyone seems to be happy, even the press center. Nadav has two backing singers and three backing dancers and the whole is very energetic and very colorful and surely will get the audience go wild in arena. Fireworks complete the explosion of energy. He's wearing the already familiar outfir with white shirt and black suit, and has golden shoes with wings! At one point they stop and take a selfie - I thought selfies are out and belfies are in but what do I know? After several unfair failures, Israel MUST qualify this year, they deserve it more than ever... or at least a very long time! Israel seems to be having all male team and is already proven rather popular among the fans. I wonder why....ay-ay-ay.

Israeli Justin Timberlake. So he is called. He is the third youngest artist this year, and one of the most inexprienced as he just came to the spotlight a few months ago when participating (and winning) a talent show in his homecountry Nadav turned 16 only last November. But he and his team has managed to create him a full package: a catchy song Golden boy , and an image to match, even with a slogan from the song that went viral after the song was released: Before I leave, let me show you Tel Aviv . For the first time Israel also drops any Hebrew parts in the song and goes full English version. The song itself is a real cocktail of old and new, Mediterranean and global styles in three minutes but strangely it all works!

That golden boy Nadav Guedj in the pic is 16. I wonder how he will look when he's actually 26 or even 36..... I'm not sure I want to know. Anyways, Israel presented its entry Golden boy tonight as well. By the rumors some were expecting the uptempo number to save this year's dance moves in Euroclub but instead.... What to say, "mamas" sung here and there like a real Italian mammone would. There's a bit of ethno sounds and it is somehow catchy and ... well.... I need to digest this a bit. And what to make about the lyrics: You know that my love is bigger,  I'm a golden boy Come here to enjoy I'm the king of fun,  And before I leave, l et me show you Tel Aviv

Israel chose 16-year-old Nadav Guedj as the winner of The Next Star and therefor the Israeli entrant for the Vienna 2015 Eurovision. Now his song has been chosen, titled Golden boy . It's written by Doron Medali. For the first time Israel will be singing 100% English as the rule that half the song at least should be in Hebrew has been thrown out of the window....