HaKokhav Haba 2027 kicks off in Israel, with Noam Bettan performance to “Michelle”, and five contestants advancing to the next stage.
“HaKokhav Haba for Eurovision 2027” has officially kicked off! The 13th season of HaKokhav Haba for Eurovision has officially opened, generating great excitement in the studio and in front of television screens. The promos for the season premiere promised an extreme episode that would bring back the perfect combination of music, talent, and hope to find Israel’s next representative for the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest in the hope of bringing home the long-awaited victory.
The episode opened with an emotional look back at Noam Bettan‘s journey from childhood to the Eurovision Song Contest, after which the talented singer took the stage and performed a short snippet of the song that conquered the international stage and brought Israel a monumental second-place achievement at Eurovision – “Michelle”. On stage alongside Bettan were the many contestants who arrived to compete in the auditions.
However, the truly tense moments began with the unveiling of the judging panel. Joining the familiar panel featuring Asaf Amdursky, Keren Peles, Shiri Maimon, and Itay Levi is a new judge this year – singer Osher Cohen, who shakes up the judging table and declares the show “a turning point on my path.”
A Tough New Voting System
This season, the show introduced a new and tough voting system in the audition stage: each contestant is required to pass the 70% vote threshold to continue to the next round, but this time each of the judges can award contestants 12, 10, 8, 6, and 4 points. This system increases the drama and tension in the studio from the moment the competition begins and creates immense pressure on the contestants.
During the premiere episode, six auditions were presented, out of which five contestants managed to advance to the next stage thanks to the combined support of the judges and the studio audience. One of them may eventually become the representative who will bring pride to Israel at Eurovision 2027.
Yahli Moser
21 years old from Ramat Gan, an actor, dancer, singer, and creator who has been involved in music from a very young age. He stars in the series “HaShayetet” alongside Israeli stars. With the first audition came a performance of the song “I’m Still Standing” (originally by Elton John) as Yahli sat next to the piano he was playing. Yahli has a clear, high voice that he controls very well. Throughout the song, he adds dynamics by singing quietly in certain parts alongside powerful intensity in others. He finishes the song with a powerful shout.
Shiri told Yahli: “I appreciate artists like you so much. I loved everything you did, you have so many qualities, and my 12 is to give you that boost like someone who is going to keep surprising all the time.” Asaf, who awarded the lowest score, explained: “I didn’t give you a very high score, because it’s a matter of taste. You have a lot of abilities, you are very suited for the stage, but not quite for the art of music in my personal taste.”
Asaf – 6 | Keren – 10 | Osher – 10 | Shiri – 12 | Itay – 10
Yahli received 77% and advances to the next stage.
Eden Bar
27 years old from Kiryat Tiv’on, an only child to a loving mother who accompanied her to the audition and a father who passed away when he was electrocuted at work when she was 9 years old. Her father was a singer, and Eden decided to follow in his footsteps. Nowadays, she sings at weddings and events. She performed “You Stole The Show” (originally by Sienna Spiro). Eden begins the song expressing it well and singing from the bottom of her heart. She is precise and plays between the heights of the song phenomenally. She commands the song – she is a great singer. However, a slight Israeli accent in the English language can be felt.
Assi Azar and Rotem Sela were quick to note at the end of the performance that standing before them is Israel’s representative for Eurovision 2027. Keren addressed the young singer’s father: “I am sure Dad is so proud of you, and that you are also doing a mission with your voice for him.” Osher, who awarded only 10 points, explained: “You are an amazing singer. But something wasn’t perfect for me regarding the stage aspect, theatrically speaking.”
Asaf – 12 | Keren – 12 | Osher – 10 | Shiri – 12 | Itay – 12
Eden received 98% and advances to the next stage.
Amit Kdoshim
23 years old, he started singing at a young age and did not think he would turn music into a profession. He chose to sing the song “[03]” (in English: “03”, originally by Itay Levi) and he opened the song with his unique voice that sounded just like it was recorded in a recording studio. The vocal precision is amazing, the ornamentation is surprising, and his vocal range is extremely impressive – but the stage presence is not convincing enough. Something in the performance is intriguing but doesn’t always translate across the screen.
Keren said: “It’s clear you know how to sing, but I missed some feature, maybe some kind of mischievousness. You need to bring something of your own, some color that will be your color. You just need to find it because you have all the tools.” Osher added: “This is a very big song by a big singer. It’s a double challenge for you. I think you will succeed with this approach and with the spirituality within you.”
Asaf – 8 | Keren – 8 | Osher – 8 | Shiri – 8 | Itay – 10
Amit received 69% and therefore does not advance to the next stage.
Dorin Aton
20 years old from Rishon LeZion. She started singing at age 8. From a young age, her family lived abroad on diplomatic missions: Poland, India, Paraguay, and Peru. Since October 7th, she began advocacy activities on behalf of the State of Israel on social media and defines Eurovision as her biggest dream that she wants to fulfill. For her audition, she performed “Because Of You” (originally by Kelly Clarkson). Dorin has a larger-than-life voice and precise English with a great accent. Was it a Eurovision performance? Maybe. Should she advance to the next stage? Obviously!
Shiri testified: “I’m here to hear singers like you. These girls who come with this healthy voice and this vocal daring. I simply fainted over you. It’s stunning.” Asaf, on the other hand, thought differently: “You are a talented singer, you have not only talent, but also skills. On the other hand, you are so powerful that I’m running to take cover. It’s too strong for me. I think it will be very hard to work with this thing, to soften it, there’s an unbridled horse here.”
Asaf – 6 | Keren – 10 | Osher – 10 | Shiri – 12 | Itay – 12
Dorin received 90% and advances to the next stage.
Ilay Elmakys
23 years old from Acre, writer, composer, singer, and actor. Best known to Eurovision fans as someone who tried to represent Israel at Eurovision when he reached the quarter-finals in “X Factor for Eurovision 2022”. He has released 15 songs, acted in various series, and even wrote several songs for Itay Levi. I must admit that Ilay was one of my favorites back then in “X Factor” and this time too he does not disappoint. He chose to perform the song “El HaOlam Shelcha” (in English: “To Your World”, originally by Rotem Cohen) and he starts with his caressing voice. He performs the song with a lot of emotion, tiny but amazing ornamentations (*salsulim*), and a whole lot of charisma. I am so glad to see Ilay on the show! How fun! The season has now begun!
Keren awarded 12 points and said: “There are no singers like this in Europe. This is a color we have here, that if brought there correctly with the right song, they won’t understand where it hit them from. And you are my hope that this can happen this year. You are an amazing singer.” Osher added: “I know you well. Performance-wise, it was a shell of a performance. No words. I gave you 10 because I felt that somewhere it could have been a bit less scattered. I know what you have to give.”
Asaf – 10 | Keren – 12 | Osher – 10 | Shiri – 10 | Itay – 12
Ilay received 94% and advances to the next stage.
Yael Elbo
Almost 18 years old from Jerusalem, singer and artist. She describes herself as traditional from a religious family, keeping Sabbath and kosher laws. Daughter of divorced parents of French origin. She felt “different” compared to her surroundings during adolescence. For the audition, she chose to sing the amazing song “Voilà” (originally by Barbara Pravi), which represented France at Eurovision 2021. Yael expresses the song in a chilling way. She has a precise voice, and the wonderful chanson allows her to easily convince us that she should represent Israel at the next Eurovision. A perfect performance. She managed to move me and even make me shed a tear. There is only one small issue – is it right to send a song with French lyrics to Eurovision for the third consecutive year? Yael finishes the audition with tears in her eyes.
Shiri told Yael: “I think you are a gift to the ears. It seems to me that you are truly a messenger of music. You didn’t choose this, it chose you.” Osher added: “I think it’s not just the performance, there is something in your eyes, in your posture and how you sang it, and where you got angry and where you were soft, and we are so happy to be in this moment with you. To tell you that you are worthy and amazing. A crazy journey awaits you. We don’t see something like this every day.”
Asaf – 8 | Keren – 12 | Osher – 12 | Shiri – 12 | Itay – 12
Yael received 96% and advances to the next stage.
The next audition episode will air on Tuesday, November 17th, at 20:15 CET on Keshet 12.
HaKokhav Haba for Eurovision
Ahead of Eurovision 2027, the Israeli national broadcaster Kan chose to continue its cooperation with Keshet 12 in selecting the Israeli representative for the upcoming Eurovision. The cooperation between the national broadcaster and Keshet has earned Israel 8 consecutive qualifications to the grand final, peaking when Netta Barzilai won first place with the song “Toy” and brought Eurovision to Israel.
מישל
Israelנועם בתן represented Israel at Eurovision 2026 with “מישל”. The entry finished 2nd in the grand final with 343 points.
Israel competed at Eurovision 48 times between 1973 and 2026. The country has won four times, most recently in 2018 with Netta Barzilai’s “Toy”. In 2026, נועם בתן represented Israel with “מישל”, finishing 2nd in the grand final with 343 points.
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