A surprise episode of The Next Star aired this evening in Israel, with the nation continuing their ongoing search for their 2018 Eurovision Song Contest representative.

It was yet another night of auditions in Israel this evening, as the nation’s selection for the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest – The Next Star – continued with its 15th show.

A further 8 artists auditioned for a place in the next stage of the competition, hoping to earn the 70% of the ‘Yes’ vote needed from the audience and judging panel in order to advanced.

Here are tonight’s qualifiers

From the 8 auditionees, a total of 5 managed to qualify to the next part of the competition.

• Asael Tzanani (52%*, ‘Yes’ vote from 1 judge)
• Yakir Itzkovich Cohen (71%, ‘Yes’ vote from 2 judges)
• Friel Joshua Fitoussi (76%, ‘Yes’ vote from 3 judges)
• Maya Banai (73%, ‘Yes’ vote from 2 judges)
• Yossi Mark (85%, ‘Yes’ vote from all 4 judges)

*Whilst Asael Tzanani 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 advance to the next stage.

Inbal Raz, Israel Shalom and Niso Siman Tov did not receive the 70% of the ‘Yes’ vote needed, therefore failing to advance in the contest.

Receiving the highest percentage of votes this evening was Yossi Mark, performing the song Versace on the floor in his audition. The judges highly rated the singer, receiving ‘Yes’ votes from all 4 judges and gaining a huge total of 85% of the vote.

You can watch all of tonight’s performances from The Next Star via the contest’s official website.

The Next Star continues on Sunday on Keshet 12 at the usual time of 20:00 CET (21:00 local time).