Netta Barzilai

Netta Barzilai (Hebrew: נטע ברזילי‎; born 22 January 1993), sometimes known by the mononym Netta, is an Israeli singer and looping artist who won the fifth season of HaKokhav HaBa. This earned her the right to represent her country in the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest.
On 12 May 2018, she won the contest, held in Lisbon, Portugal, with her song "Toy", marking Israel's fourth win in the Eurovision Song Contest (after 1978, 1979, and 1998).

Netta Barzilai was born on 22 January 1993 in Hod HaSharon, Israel. Barzilai lived for four years in Nigeria where her father worked on a project for Solel Boneh.

Barzilai attended Hadarim High School in Hod HaSharon and was a counselor at an Israeli youth movement HaNoar HaOved VeHaLomed. Prior to her mandatory enlistment to the Israeli Defense Forces, she spent a Service Year volunteering in the paramilitary Nahal and did her military service in the Israeli Navy Band. She studied electronic music at the Rimon School of Jazz and Contemporary Music.

In September 2017, Barzilai auditioned for season five of HaKokhav HaBa, Israel's national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest, with "Rude Boy" by Rihanna. After receiving 82% of the votes, she advanced to the second stage of the competition in which she sang "Hey Mama" by David Guetta. In February 2018, she performed "Wannabe" by the Spice Girls, and although she lost a duel to Ricky Ben Ari, she proceeded to the next stage after being selected by the judges.

The last song Barzilai performed in the competition was a mashup of "Gangnam Style" by Psy and "Tik Tok" by Kesha. After receiving 210 points from the judges and audience, Barzilai won first place and a right to represent Israel at the Eurovision.

On 25 February 2018, it was reported that the song that Barzilai would perform at the Eurovision was called "Toy" and that it would be performed in English, apart from a phrase in Hebrew. The song was written and composed by Doron Medalie and Stav Beger. The song was released on 11 March 2018, and its music video went on to receive more than 20 million views two months before the beginning of Eurovision. On 14 April 2018, Barzilai performed her song at Eurovision in Concert in Amsterdam, the largest Eurovision promotional event. Four days later, she performed at the Independence Day Torch-lighting Ceremony that opened the celebrations of the 70th Anniversary of the Establishment of the State of Israel.

On 8 May 2018, Barzilai participated in the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest, winning the semi-final with 283 points and qualifying for the final on 12 May. In the final, she placed first with televoters and third with international juries, amassing 529 points in total and winning the competition.

Netta Barzilai in the news

	Netta's 'Goody Bag' EP Out Now (25/06/2020)
	Eurovision Song Contest 2018: Winner Is Netta (Israel) With 'Toy'! (13/05/2018)