Ilay Gaist, Author at EuroMix

HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 11: Four Contestants Advance to the Next Round

December 2, 2025January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "HaKokhav HaBa" - Episode 11: Four contestants passed to the next round. The advancing contestants are Jenny Penkin, Anava Amoyal, Shira Ittah and Michael HarPaz. Tonight, the eleventh episode of the reality show “HaKokhav HaBa" aired, through which Israel’s representative for Eurovision 2026 will be chosen. So far, 50 contestants have secured their place in the competition, and during tonight’s episode, four additional contestants advanced to the next stage thanks to the votes of the judges and the studio audience – One of them might go on to represent Israel in Eurovision this coming May. The panel once again included Assaf Amdursky, Keren Peles, Shiri Maimon, Eden Hasson, and Itay Levi. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Jenny Penkin Jenny Penkin, 33 years old from Tel Aviv. She has been making music for nearly a decade, as she states. The music she focuses on is primarily R&B. In addition, she teaches vocal development. She claims she would fit well in Eurovision, describing herself as an enthusiastic Zionist and sufficiently colorful. During...

Malta: “MESC 2026” Contestants for Eurovision 2026 Revealed!

December 1, 2025January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Maltese national broadcaster PBS unveiled the 18 artists competing in “MESC 2026”. The Maltese entry for Eurovision 2026 will be chosen on January 17th. The Maltese national broadcaster PBS has officially announced the list of 18 contestants and songs competing in "MESC 2026", for Eurovision 2026, which will be held in Vienna, Austria. The 18 competing acts will perform in a single semi-final on Thursday, January 15th, 2026. Voting will be evenly divided between the judges and the public. The 12 best songs will advance to the final, scheduled for Saturday, January 17th, 2026. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "MESC 2026" List of Contestants: Franklin Calleja – “Guide you home” Chess Galea – “Shout it out” Liston Bongailas – “Mela” Kurt Anthony – “On the borderline” Stefan Galea – “Pose” Ema – “Achikuku (Don’t think about it)” Kelsey Attard – “Perfectly broken” Adria Twins – “Nerġà nqum” Kelsie Borg – “Let a girl breathe” ...

HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 10: Five Contestants Advance to the Next Round

November 30, 2025January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "HaKokhav HaBa" - Episode 10: Five contestants passed to the next round. The advancing contestants are Oriel Haviv, Lihi Butbul, Noam Cohen, Gon Halevi, and Nitay Avraham. Tonight, the tenth episode of the reality show “HaKokhav HaBa" aired, through which Israel’s representative for Eurovision 2026 will be chosen. So far, 45 contestants have secured their place in the competition, and during tonight’s episode, five additional contestants advanced to the next stage thanks to the votes of the judges and the studio audience – One of them might go on to represent Israel in Eurovision this coming May. The panel once again included Assaf Amdursky, Keren Peles, Shiri Maimon, Eden Hasson, and Itay Levi. Joining them this time were Yuval Raphael, who represented Israel at Eurovision 2025 with the song "New Day Will Rise". And Dana International, who won Eurovision 1998 with the song "Diva". (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Oriel Haviv Oriel Haviv, 26 years old from Rehovot. He sang for the first time at age 6 during his older brother's bar...

HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 9: Five Contestants Advance to the Next Round

November 29, 2025January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "HaKokhav HaBa" - Episode 9: Five contestants passed to the next round. The advancing contestants are Daniella Lugassy, Yehuda Ifrah, Ben-Ad Korem, Noam Azut and Gali Givon. Tonight, the ninth episode of the reality show “HaKokhav HaBa" aired, through which Israel’s representative for Eurovision 2026 will be chosen. So far, 40 contestants have secured their place in the competition, and during tonight’s episode, five additional contestants advanced to the next stage thanks to the votes of the judges and the studio audience – One of them might go on to represent Israel in Eurovision this coming May. The panel once again included Assaf Amdursky, Keren Peles, Shiri Maimon, Eden Hasson, and Itay Levi. Joining them this time were Netta Barzilai, the winner of Eurovision 2018, and Izhar Cohen, who won Eurovision 1978, as guest judges. Each contestant was required to pass a threshold of 70% to continue, with each judge responsible for 12% of the total vote. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Daniella Lugassy Daniella Lugassy,...

Albania: The New Date for “Festivali i Këngës 64” Songs Revealed

November 29, 2025January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Following the postponement of the original date, Albania’s national broadcaster RTSH announced the new date for revealing the songs competing to represent Albania at Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria. The 64th edition of Albania’s "Festivali i Këngës", will take place from December 17th to 20th, 2025, featuring 28 participating artists. The first national final of the upcoming season has already sparked great interest among Eurovision fans, and earlier today (Saturday), the Albanian national broadcaster RTSH announced a new date for releasing the preselection songs after it was forced to postpone the original schedule. The postponement followed the announcement by singer Egzon Pireci that he was withdrawing from the competition. So when will we finally hear the songs? See the answer in the article. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); When Will the Songs Be Revealed? RTSH announced today (Saturday) via its social media platforms that the new date for unveiling the preselection songs will be this coming Monday, December...

Preparing for 2026: Which Eurovision National Final Wins Were the Most Unexpected?

November 29, 2025January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); What can we expect from a national final for Eurovision 2026? In the third article in the “Preparing for 2026” series, we go back in time and recall the most surprising results in the national finals throughout the years. Article by Ilay Gaist and Adiel Shtainmetz. Every year, with the revival of the Eurovision season, thousands of fans across Europe fall in love with certain songs and hope they will finish high in their national finals and go on to represent their country at Eurovision. In the second article of the series, "Preparing for 2026", we dive deep into the most fascinating and inspiring aspects of national selections throughout the years. In the third part of our series, we journey back to recall the most surprising results from different participating countries. Join us as we explore the national selection moments that truly shocked fans - and discover how some of these surprising winners made it all the way to...

Will Kazakhstan Debut Eurovision? Decision Postponed to Early 2026

November 29, 2025January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Kazakhstan Debuts? The EBU has announced the date on which a decision will be made regarding the Central Asian country’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Kazakhstan stands on the brink of a new chapter in its cultural history: will the Central Asian country finally join the Eurovision Song Contest? In recent years, the nation has repeatedly sought to enter the European music competition, though its request has remained unresolved. According to the Ministry of Culture in Kazakhstan, the EBU will reconsider the matter only at the beginning of 2026, possibly giving a decisive answer - whether Kazakhstan will become the first Central Asian country to compete in Eurovision. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); In 2022, the national broadcaster Khabar Agency expressed interest in joining Eurovision, but the request was denied. This time, discussions with the EBU continue, though a final decision is still pending. During the EBU’s annual conference in July, the head of Kazakhstan’s...

Save the Date: “Eurovision Party SKG” in Thessaloniki Will Be on March 12th!

November 29, 2025January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Greek Eurovision site “Eurovisionfun” will host the annual Eurovision party on March 12th in Thessaloniki, featuring Eurovision and "Ethnikos Telikos" artists. Euromix team will be there to cover the event! The Greek Eurovision site, Eurovisionfun, will host the annual Eurovision party “Eurovision Party SKG” in Thessaloniki on Thursday, March 12th, 2026, together with local radio stations Zoo Radio and Transistor, for the third consecutive year after the great success of the last two editions. The party will feature performances by Greek artists, beloved Eurovision contestants, participants in "Ethnikos Telikos", and many more surprises. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eurovision Party SKG Successes Over the past two years, more than 1,500 Eurovision fans have attended the party, an impressive figure. In the last two editions, a wide range of popular artists took part, such as: Shkodra Elektronike – Albania’s representatives for Eurovision 2025 with the song “Zjerm”. Theo Evan – Cyprus’s representative for Eurovision 2025...

Report: Spain Will Demand Israel’s Expulsion From Eurovision 2026 at the EBU Conference

November 27, 2025January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Spanish national broadcaster RTVE convened today at the joint committee of the Spanish Congress and Senate to discuss participation in Eurovision 2026. Spain seems firm in its stance and is expected to withdraw if Israel participates. The Spanish national broadcaster RTVE held today (Thursday) a joint committee of the Spanish Congress and Senate on the issue of control over the national broadcaster. During the meeting, representatives answered questions regarding public broadcasting in Spain, including one that has captivated Eurovision fans more than any other — whether Spain will participate in Eurovision 2026 and display a dramatic retreat, or continue with the hardline stance it has taken against Israel and its allies in the contest. It now appears Spain remains entrenched in its position and aims to push for Israel’s disqualification at the upcoming meeting of the EBU, scheduled for next week. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Spanish national broadcaster RTVE met today (Thursday) at 16:00 CET, for the...

Sweden Closes the List: The Anticipated Comeback in the Melodifestivalen!

November 27, 2025January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Swedish media reveal the 30th artist to join Melodifestivalen 2026 - a familiar name returning to the stage. Will her comeback strike gold this time? Melodifestivalen 2026, Sweden’s national final for Eurovision 2026, is already generating buzz across Europe as Swedish media reveal some of the artists expected to compete. The official lineup announcement is scheduled for Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025. Following reports of possible returns from familiar names such as Sanna Nielsen, Fröken Snusk, and Medina, Swedish media now confirm the final artist set to rejoin the Melodifestivalen stage. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); According to the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, the Swedish national broadcaster SVT has finalized the selection of 30 artists who will compete in Melodifestivalen 2026. The songs have also been approved for participation. The final name to be revealed is Isa Tengblad, better known by her stage name Blade. Isa Tengblad This will be Tengblad’s third appearance in the Swedish preselection. In Melodifestivalen 2015, she performed "Don't Stop", reaching the...