Netta Barzilai

Netta Barzilai (Hebrew: נטע ברזילי, [ˈneta baʁziˈlaj]; born 22 January 1993), also known mononymously as Netta, is an Israeli singer. After winning the fifth season of HaKokhav HaBa, she earned the right to represent her country at the Eurovision Song Contest 2018. On 12 May 2018, she won the contest, held in Lisbon, with her debut single "Toy", marking Israel's fourth win in the Eurovision Song Contest (after 1978, 1979, and 1998).

Barzilai was born and raised in Hod HaSharon, Israel, to Israeli-born parents. Her mother's family is of both Sephardi Jewish and Mizrahi Jewish (Moroccan-Jewish and Libyan-Jewish) descent, whereas her father's family is of Ashkenazi Jewish (Polish-Jewish) descent. She has two brothers. As a child, Barzilai lived in Nigeria for six years, where her father, who is an engineer, worked on a project for Israeli company Solel Boneh.

Barzilai attended Hadarim High School in Hod HaSharon and was a youth leader in the Israeli HaNoar HaOved VeHaLomed youth movement. Prior to serving in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), she spent a Pre-Army Service Year (Shnat Sherut; Shin-Shin) volunteering with youth as part of the Tarbut movement. She completed her mandatory military service in the Israeli Navy Band. Afterwards, she studied electronic music at the Rimon School of Jazz and Contemporary Music, however she did not complete a degree there.

In September 2017, Barzilai auditioned for season five of HaKokhav HaBa, Israel's national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest, with "Rude Boy" by Rihanna. After receiving 82% of the votes, she advanced to the second stage of the competition in which she sang "Hey Mama" by David Guetta. In February 2018, she performed "Wannabe" by the Spice Girls, and although she lost a duel to Ricky Ben Ari, she proceeded to the next stage after being selected by the judges.

The last song Barzilai performed in the competition was a mashup of "Gangnam Style" by Psy and "Tik Tok" by Kesha. After receiving 210 points from the judges and audience, Barzilai won first place and the right to represent Israel at Eurovision.

On 25 February 2018, it was reported that the song that Barzilai would perform at the contest would be called "Toy" and that it would be performed in English, apart from a phrase in Hebrew. The song was written and composed by Doron Medalie and Stav Beger, and produced by Berger.

The song was released on 11 March 2018, and its music video went on to receive more than 20 million views two months before the beginning of Eurovision. On 14 April 2018, Barzilai performed her song at Eurovision in Concert in Amsterdam, the largest Eurovision promotional event. Four days later, she performed the song Hora Heachzut at the torch-lighting ceremony that opened the 70th Israeli Independence Day.

On 8 May 2018, Barzilai participated in the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest, winning the semi-final with 283 points and qualifying for the final on 12 May. In the final, she placed first with televoters and third with international juries, amassing 529 points in total and winning the competition, marking Israel's fourth Eurovision win (after 1978, 1979, and 1998).