The EBU reveals official rehearsal photos of Noam Bettan performing “Michelle” on the Eurovision 2026 stage in Vienna.
Official photos of Noam Bettan performing his song “Michelle” on the Eurovision 2026 stage have been released. These first images from the Israeli rehearsal clearly showcase the staging, including a massive stage element that is already generating significant buzz among other delegations.
The photos arrive just one day after the first rehearsal, which took place yesterday afternoon on the stage in Vienna. While anticipation for the Israeli performance was already high, these visuals offer the first clear glimpse into the artistic vision the nation is bringing to the song contest.
הצגת פוסט זה באינסטגרם
Israel at Eurovision 2026: Details of the Staging Revealed
Following last year’s “Chandelier”, the centerpiece this year is the “Diamond” – a massive and impressive stage element. According to the production, it is once again the largest prop at Eurovision 2026. Bettan begins the song “Michelle” enclosed within the “Diamond” alongside a single dancer, creating an intimate and hypnotic moment inside the vast arena in Vienna. The transition from the dramatic silence inside the prop to an explosion of energy on stage has significantly raised expectations for the Israeli entry.
The standout visual moment occurs when an internal mirror system within the “Diamond” creates a multiplication and reflection effect, mirroring the aesthetic of the official music video. Viewers at home will see dozens of “Michelles” on screen, while four additional dancers join the singer to transform the stage into a performance rich in movement and color. With the “Diamond” remaining a constant presence in the background, it is evident that precise technical planning went into every frame and lighting cue.
Choreography and Visual Contrast
The performance evolves as a dancer “breaks free” Noam from the “Diamond”, joining four others who fill the stage with sharp and energetic movement. The choreography relies on perfectly synchronized hand movements and tight group work, maintaining high tension and a fast pace throughout the entire performance.
The dancers wear overalls in cream and burgundy tones, while the artist wears a black look consisting of a leather jacket and trousers over a silk shirt. The contrast between the fabrics and shades emphasizes the reflections from the crystalline stage and enhances the visual impact of the performance. The production emphasizes that every design detail was built to serve the motif of reflection and duality that drives the song.
To complete the polished look, the singer took to the stage in a black leather jacket over an elegant silk shirt and matching leather trousers. According to the stylists, the choice of materials was intended to increase the play of light against the crystal walls surrounding him, creating full visual harmony between the artist and the environment. The combination of dark textures and the sparkle of mirrors gives the performance a powerful yet meticulous stage presence.
Israel at Eurovision 2026
“Michelle” is the song that will be performed by the singer Noam Bettan, who will represent Israel as song number 10 in the first semi final on May 12th, in Vienna, Austria. The song was written by the singer Yuval Raphael, Tslil Klifi, and Nadav Aharoni – three prominent figures in the Israeli music scene, with Yuval Raphael, who represented Israel in the previous Eurovision as a singer. The song “Michelle” is about choosing to break free from a toxic emotional cycle. It’s a story of growth and emotional maturity — a moment when the protagonist realizes they must let go and choose their new path on their own. The song is performed in Hebrew, English and French.
Currently, Israel is ranked 6th in the betting tables ahead of Eurovision 2026.
Eurovision 2026: This will be Israel’s 48th participation in Eurovision. Israel joined the contest in 1973 and has won four times. Its most recent victory was at Eurovision 2018 with the song “Toy”, performed by singer Netta Barzilai.
