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
More acts have been added to the BBC's Eurovision Song Contest concert in London next month.
Dana International, Brotherhood of Man, Loreen and Dima Bilan will all perform at the 60th anniversary show in London on March 31.
Brotherhood of Man will perform 'Save Your Kisses for Me', the song that won the contest for the UK back in 1976.
Israel's Dana International will perform her 1998 winning entry 'Diva', while Loreen will sing her 2012 winner 'Euphoria'.
Dima Bilan will sing a medley of his 2006 runner-up track 'Never Let You Go', and his 2008 winning song 'Believe'.
The four acts join the previously announced list of performers, including Conchita Wurst, Johnny Logan and Lordi.
Graham Norton and Petra Mede will host the BBC's 60th Eurovision anniversary show at the Eventim Hammersmith Apollo on March 31.
Tickets are on sale now, and the event will be broadcast on BBC One and throughout Europe.
Watch Loreen's video...
Dana International, Brotherhood of Man, Loreen and Dima Bilan will all perform at the 60th anniversary show in London on March 31.
Brotherhood of Man will perform 'Save Your Kisses for Me', the song that won the contest for the UK back in 1976.
Israel's Dana International will perform her 1998 winning entry 'Diva', while Loreen will sing her 2012 winner 'Euphoria'.
Dima Bilan will sing a medley of his 2006 runner-up track 'Never Let You Go', and his 2008 winning song 'Believe'.
The four acts join the previously announced list of performers, including Conchita Wurst, Johnny Logan and Lordi.
Graham Norton and Petra Mede will host the BBC's 60th Eurovision anniversary show at the Eventim Hammersmith Apollo on March 31.
Tickets are on sale now, and the event will be broadcast on BBC One and throughout Europe.
Watch Loreen's video...
- 2/6/2015
- Digital Spy
The BBC is reportedly working on a special programme to mark the Eurovision Song Contest's 60th anniversary.
Edgar Bohm, executive producer of 2015's Eurovision show, said the broadcaster will be "looking back [at] the history" of the competition ahead of this year's final in May.
Bohm told EuroSong.be (via The Official Charts Company): "Of course we will do something... the anniversary of the Song Contest is covered by a BBC show. They are looking back in their history and we think we have to look forward."
The BBC is yet to confirm the news independently but there are rumours previous winners Loreen, Lordi and Dana International will perform at a special concert to be held in London.
The stage plans for the 2015 contest were revealed last week.
Conchita Wurst won last year's contest with 'Rise Like a Phoenix', meaning this year's final will be held in Vienna on May...
Edgar Bohm, executive producer of 2015's Eurovision show, said the broadcaster will be "looking back [at] the history" of the competition ahead of this year's final in May.
Bohm told EuroSong.be (via The Official Charts Company): "Of course we will do something... the anniversary of the Song Contest is covered by a BBC show. They are looking back in their history and we think we have to look forward."
The BBC is yet to confirm the news independently but there are rumours previous winners Loreen, Lordi and Dana International will perform at a special concert to be held in London.
The stage plans for the 2015 contest were revealed last week.
Conchita Wurst won last year's contest with 'Rise Like a Phoenix', meaning this year's final will be held in Vienna on May...
- 1/29/2015
- Digital Spy
Austrian bearded drag queen Conchita Wurst won the 59th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday with a James Bond-inspired entry that unleashed a wave of protests in Eastern Europe. A power ballad, "Rise Like a Phoenix," helped Wurst - the alter ego of 25-year-old Thomas Neuwirth - secure Austria's second victory in the competition with 290 points. The country also won in 1966. "This is dedicated to everyone who believes in a future of peace and freedom," a tearful Wurst said as she accepted the trophy from Denmark's Emmelie de Forrest, who won the contest last year. "We are unity.
- 5/12/2014
- by Associated Press
- PEOPLE.com
Austrian bearded drag queen Conchita Wurst won the 59th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday with a James Bond-inspired entry that unleashed a wave of protests in Eastern Europe.
A power ballad, "Rise Like a Phoenix," helped Wurst – the alter ego of 25-year-old Thomas Neuwirth – secure Austria's second victory in the competition with 290 points. The country also won in 1966.
"This is dedicated to everyone who believes in a future of peace and freedom," a tearful Wurst said as she accepted the trophy from Denmark's Emmelie de Forrest, who won the contest last year. "We are unity."
Pushing the...
A power ballad, "Rise Like a Phoenix," helped Wurst – the alter ego of 25-year-old Thomas Neuwirth – secure Austria's second victory in the competition with 290 points. The country also won in 1966.
"This is dedicated to everyone who believes in a future of peace and freedom," a tearful Wurst said as she accepted the trophy from Denmark's Emmelie de Forrest, who won the contest last year. "We are unity."
Pushing the...
- 5/12/2014
- by Associated Press
- People.com - TV Watch
The crazy Eurovision bus keeps on rolling in Copenhagen tonight (May 8) as the second semi-final brings us a delightful mix of cheesecake, a drag artist and Polish cleavage. What more could you want on a Thursday night?
At the end of the evening, we will know who the 26 countries taking part in the final are and we can start digging out those Union Jack flags for Molly. But ahead of all that, here are the six acts you should be keeping an eye out for in tonight's show.
1. Poland bring some cleavage. Lots of cleavage.
Poland are bringing some serious front to this year's competition. That music video. Blimey.
With lyrics about "shaking what your mama gave you" and more sexual suggestiveness than an entire Carry On box set, Poland's Donatan & Cleo will definitely make an impression on the male population. Is the song 'We Are Slavic' actually any good?...
At the end of the evening, we will know who the 26 countries taking part in the final are and we can start digging out those Union Jack flags for Molly. But ahead of all that, here are the six acts you should be keeping an eye out for in tonight's show.
1. Poland bring some cleavage. Lots of cleavage.
Poland are bringing some serious front to this year's competition. That music video. Blimey.
With lyrics about "shaking what your mama gave you" and more sexual suggestiveness than an entire Carry On box set, Poland's Donatan & Cleo will definitely make an impression on the male population. Is the song 'We Are Slavic' actually any good?...
- 5/8/2014
- Digital Spy
Copenhagen, Denmark (AP) — When Austria's entry takes the stage Thursday at the Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen, the spotlight will slowly reveal a lone figure with wide sensual eyes, glossy painted lips, high cheekbones — and a man's full dark beard. Conchita Wurst — the alter ego of 25-year-old Austrian Thomas Neuwirth — already has shocked audiences by challenging stereotypes of masculine and feminine beauty with the song "Rise like a Phoenix." Pushing the boundaries of gender identity is nothing new at Europe's annual song contest — an extravaganza known for its eclectic, sometimes-unlistenable lineup of techno beats, love songs and pop tunes. But the backlash this year against Wurst highlights a rift between Europe's progressive liberal side and the traditional values and nationalist rhetoric of Russia and other nations taking part. Amid growing tensions over the Ukraine crisis, some in eastern Europe have blasted Wurst as an example of the West's decadence. Activists...
- 5/8/2014
- by Jan M. Olsen and David Mac Dougall (AP)
- Hitfix
Let’s be honest, Eurovision is an acquired taste – the music ranges from catchy Euro-Pop, to equally catchy Finnish Metal and takes in everything from Polka to Bonnie Tyler along the way, whilst the acts encompass everything from stunning pop-starlets to Russian grandmothers, and take in everything from Dana International to well… Bonnie Tyler.
For some of us, myself included, it’s a fantastic celebration of European culture that we tap our feet along to and cringe at in equal measure, whereas for others it represents over four hours of wasted time and license fee money. Regardless of which camp you sit in though, it’s undeniable that alcohol can improve the situation (and I don’t mean by going to the pub instead) because drinking along to Eurovision can heighten the Euphoria (pun intended) for those of us who enjoy watching it and can make the “pain” of viewing more bearable for viewers who,...
For some of us, myself included, it’s a fantastic celebration of European culture that we tap our feet along to and cringe at in equal measure, whereas for others it represents over four hours of wasted time and license fee money. Regardless of which camp you sit in though, it’s undeniable that alcohol can improve the situation (and I don’t mean by going to the pub instead) because drinking along to Eurovision can heighten the Euphoria (pun intended) for those of us who enjoy watching it and can make the “pain” of viewing more bearable for viewers who,...
- 5/18/2013
- by Jack Griffiths
- Obsessed with Film
The grand camp spectacle known as Eurovision (or as i like to refer to it, "my reason for being") will begin on May 10th in Dusseldorf, Germany, with over 40 countries represented.
In case you've somehow escaped it, here's an explanation of this most important cultural institution:
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union (Ebu). Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition. Each country participates via one of their national Ebu-member television stations, whose task it is to select a singer and a song to represent their country in the international competition. The contest has been broadcast every year since its inauguration in 1956 and is one of the longest-running television programs in the world. It is also...
In case you've somehow escaped it, here's an explanation of this most important cultural institution:
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union (Ebu). Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition. Each country participates via one of their national Ebu-member television stations, whose task it is to select a singer and a song to represent their country in the international competition. The contest has been broadcast every year since its inauguration in 1956 and is one of the longest-running television programs in the world. It is also...
- 3/15/2011
- by snicks
- The Backlot
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