Introduction

• Participant(s): Hovi Star
• Song: Made Of Stars
• Writer(s): Doron Medalie
• Composer(s): Doron Medalie
• Broadcaster: IBA
  
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Since the great success of last year’s entry “Golden Boy” by Nadav Guedj and the 9th place in the Grand Final, the interest in Israel has increased a lot. The Israel broadcaster IBA has arranged another edition of “HaKokhav HaBa”- Rising Star. In a tight competition Hovi Star made the race with the song “Made Of Stars”. The original version has been revamped and out of a colorless song is made a strong song with winning potential! One of the other great singers with a very good voice was Ella Daniel with “Somebody Out There” who made the third place.

Hovi Sekulets was born in Kiryat Ata (close to Haifa), Israel, in 1986. After his military service he recorded his first album and took part in the casting show Kochav Nolad, where he made a 7th place. Since 2009 Hovi has become one of the most recognized and beloved singers in Israel. He has released several singles and had many TV appearances, he is also writing songs and singing Disney songs in Hebrew.

The song “Made Of Stars” is a great power ballad with a big climax. This song is already being seen on one of the top positions in Stockholm. The song underwent a total makeover and is now better than ever. The striking look of Hovi will be an eye catcher and people will remember this great guy from Israel. There is the same composer as last year Doron Medalie.

History

• Debut: 1973
• Participations: 39
• Victories: 3
• Finals: 32
• Top 10: 19
• Chance for Top 10: 49 %

Israel joined the Eurovision Song Contest in 1973. The debut entry “Ey-Sham” by Ilanit made a very good 4th place in Luxembourg. Since then, the Israeli entries brought a new energy in the contest full of good music and joy. In the history of Israel in the ESC there were many strong, outstanding and unforgettable songs. Within the 39 years, Israel has been in the Grand Final for 32 times, and reached the Top10 19 times. The chance to reach a Top10 place for Israel is approximately 49%, which above the average.

Three times Israel could win the Eurovision Song Contest. One year after the first victory of Izar Cohen & The Alphabeta with “Abanibi”, Israel won successively with “Hallelujah” by Gali Atari & Milk & Honey on home ground. The extraordinary victory of the Dana International was legendary, when she sang her “Diva” in Birmingham 1998.

Israel is also popular for great choreographies, especially in the 80’s and 90’s formation dance was strongly used in the Israeli contributions and has been mimicked from other countries, but not as successfully. The contest is enjoying a great interest in Israel and has huge viewing figures.

Due to the introduction of the Semi Finals in 2004, Israel is not always among the finalists, out of 12 times, Israel could only qualify six times, lately with “Golden Boy” by Nadav Guedj, which came 9th in the Grand Final in Vienna.