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Magazine I Interview

she also won the heart of Ido Malka, a fellow contestant and her current partner. Raphael says it helps that they both do the same thing. “He’s very supportive. He knows this world and understands what a crazy time this is. He understands it’s the center of everything right now and is very accepting of it all”, she says. There was a bit of a controversy around the choice of Keren Peles as songwriter for the second year in a row. What did you think about it all? “I love the song so much. From the moment I first heard it I felt it was communicating the message I wanted to express – spreading love and light. That’s how I want to world to see me, from a place of strength as well as softness. With power and with an open heart. I have a great song. All the rest doesn’t concern me. I truly love the song and I love Keren Peles”. Do you already have thoughts about the day after the Eurovision? “I’m here to stay and I want to keep on making music, and maybe pursue other artistic endeavors as well. But right now, the Eurovision is my biggest project and I’m giving it my all. And yet, I’d like to say that the most important thing of all right now, is the release of the hostages, who should have all been released by now. We all need to take action so that they are released. Now”. ˆ Our quick questionnaire What gets on your nerves? “Traffic jams” . What makes you laugh? “Stand-up comedy”.

From the musical reality show “Hakokhav haba", Keshet 12

“I’m here to stay and I want to keep on making music, and maybe pursue other artistic endeavors as well. The Eurovision is now my biggest project and I’m giving it my all and yet, I’d like to say that the most important thing of all right now, is the release of the hostages"

(Peles, writer of the song), and Tomer (Biran, music producer) in the studio”. Have you managed to take a second in the middle of all of this, and digest the experience? “I do a lot of guided imagery”, she laughs. “It can be an emotional thing – imagining yourself enveloped in the Israeli flag, on stage. But then you need to focus, stay locked on your target”. When you entered the contest, did you see yourself getting to the Eurovision? “I always wanted to be a singer and an actress, but I don’t think I ever really gave myself the chance. This year, I decided to give myself the opportunity, and from the minute I entered the show, realizing the winner would get to represent the country at the Eurovision, I was entirely, physically and mentally, geared towards that goal”. Like last year, it’s likely Israel’s representative will face political questioning and hostility, with the rise of antisemitism since October 7. How do you prepare for that?

“You stay focused, and you understand that there are things that you can control and there are things that you can’t. And if you can’t, then there’s no reason to spend energy on it. All my energy is focused on the song and my desire to make my country proud. I have a great team, with Kan’s Israeli deligashion that were there last year, and we’re making sure we’re ready for every scenario”. I ask her if she thinks she’ll win, and in a moment of sincerity, she says she doesn’t look at betting odds, preferring to stay focused, adding: “I intend to win the competition. That’s what I’m aiming for, that’s what I want, and I’ll give it my all to make it happen”. I’m guessing there’s also a lot of pressure. What helps you relax? “My mom. She always keeps me grounded. And there are rehearsals. I believe in ‘practice makes perfect’ – the more you train the less possibility there is for anything to move you away from your center. And I have my team”. When Raphael won the tv contest,

What do you do in your free time? “I like playing tennis”. What would people be surprised to know about you? “That I’m good at impressions”. If you weren’t a singer, what would you be doing? “I can’t imagine such a scenario, but I suppose I’d be an actress”.

28 ATMOSPHERE MAY 2025