IBA, the Israeli broadcaster, are going to announce this coming Sunday which Kohav Nolad finalist- the local edition of Star Academy- will represent the country in next year's Eurovision Song Contest.
As esctoday reported in May, right after the disappointing result in Helsinki, IBA approached rival Channel 2 to send to Belgrade one of this year's participants of the local edition of the Star Academy talent show, Kohav Nolad. IBA came up with this idea from Shiri Maymon's success in the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv (who came 2nd in the first season of Kohav Nolad and 4th place in the final in Kyiv) and because many of the participating countries tend to send their Star Academy winners to the contest.
No decision has been made yet as to which participant will make it, whether it will be the winner, or one of the two other finalists. More information will be made known this coming Sunday. This cooperation between IBA and Channel 2 is quite remarkable. Especially if Channel 2 gives IBA the potential buzz of announcing the entrant before the Star Academy grand final itself, on Wednesday August 29th.Announcing the entrant before the show's final might also influence thevoting on the night of the final and its results.The final of the show will be held between Marina Maximilian Blumin, Shlomi Barel and Boaz Mauda.
It should be noted that Boaz Mauda is religious. According to Jewish tradition and his beliefs, he ispreventedfrom performing on the Jewish Sabbath (starting on a Friday night ending on Saturday night). For that reason Mauda did not take part in any of the live broadcasts on Fridays and never rehearsed on the Sabbathduring the season. This could prevent him from taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest (should he be considered) as the contest's dress rehearsals are always taking place on Friday and Saturday.
Watch Boaz Mauda perform here.
Watch Marina Maximilian Blumin perform here.
Watch Shlomi Barel perform here.
