Last night saw the first show of the fifth season of Israel’s The Next Star 2018, in which acts from across the nation are performing for the right to represent their nation at the forthcoming Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon, Portugal.

In the first episode of this year’s The Next Star competition, we saw a total of 6 artists taking to the stage for their first auditions, hoping to gain the votes of both the audience and the 4-member judging panel.

The panel, consisting of members Static & Ben-El Tavori, Keren Peles, Harel Skaat and Assaf Amdursky, each had a 10% vote towards each of the bidding artists, with each act needing to receive over 70% of the ‘Yes’ vote in order to advance to the next stage of the competition.

Five acts through in The Next Star

With only 1 act failing to proceed in last night’s show, a total of 5 acts have earned the 70% of the ‘Yes’ votes in order to qualify in the contest.

The following acts have qualified:

• Jaki Gaforov (76%, ‘Yes’ from all 4 judges)
• Adva Omer (73%, ‘Yes’ from 3 judges)
• Jonathan Margi (88%, ‘Yes’ from all 4 judges)
• Mor Karbasi (59%*, ‘Yes’ from 2 judges)
• Netta Barzilai (82%, ‘Yes’ from all 4 judges)

*Whilst Karbasi received under the asking 70% of the ‘Yes’ vote, a new twist in the show saw the 2 hosts, Assi Azar and Rotem Sela, save the artist and therefore advancing to the next stage.

One act, Tamir Cohen, failed to receive the votes and therefore did not proceed in the competition, receiving 4 ‘No’ votes from the judges.

The big talking point of the evening came from the last act from episode one, Netta Barzilai. Performing the song Rude boy originally by Rihanna, the Israeli performer really made her mark in tonight’s show, gaining great support both in the studio and across the country.

You can watch all of last night’s performances via the official The Next Star website.

The Next Star 2018 continues on the 7 November at 20:00 CET (21:00 local time) and will broadcast on the newly introduced channel, Keshet 12.

Which of the artists from the first Next Star show did you rate? Would you like to see any of them in Portugal for Eurovision 2018?