Netta Barzilai wins 2018 Eurovision Song Contest for Israel

By: AP | Lisbon | Updated: May 13, 2018 9:50:52 pm Netta Barzilai from Israel celebrates after winning the Eurovision song contest in Lisbon. (AP Photo/Armando Franca) Top News

Bollywood Fashion Watch for May 13: Aishwarya stuns at Cannes, Sonam's after-wedding look is all sporty
Delhi dust storm LIVE UPDATES: Several dead in UP, over 70 flights diverted at IGI airport; metro services hit
IPL 2018 Live Score MI vs RR in Mumbai: RR lose Ajinkya Rahane in chase against MI

Netta Barzilai is sassy, shes fun and she can sing — and now the Israeli has won the Eurovision Song Contest with a catchy techno dance tune about womens empowerment.

The 25-year-old pre-competition favorite beat out competition from 42 other countries performers Saturday to claim the music extravaganzas annual crown at the Grand Final with her song “Toy.”

There was a strong field of contestants at this years event in Lisbon, Portugal, which was watched by an estimated 200 million people. The votes coming in live from the capitals of participating countries delivered a tense finale, with Israel gripped in a tight, five-way race with Cyprus, Austria, Sweden and Germany.

Barzilai eventually racked up 529 points, compared with 436 for runner-up Cyprus with “Fuego” by Eleni Foureira, and 342 for third-place Austria with Cesar Sampsons “Nobody But You.”

Netta from Israel reacts as she wins the Eurovision Song Contest grand final in Lisbon. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

The contest largely shed its traditional hallmarks of glitz and glitter in favor of a more restrained and tasteful tone in Lisbon, which was hosting the event because it won last year with Salvador Sobrals sober and subdued ballad “Amar pelos Dois.”

Sobral last week criticized “Toy” as “horrible music,” insisting the focus should be on the music and not the spectacle. But Barzilai, with her Asian-themed show in red and yellow and her dancers doing funky chicken moves, was unrepentant.

Will this be the winning performance of #Eurovision?
Watch #TOY by @NettaBarzilai now!#ISR #VOTEISRAEL pic.twitter.com/PM721nkBe2

— כאן (@kann) May 12, 2018

“Im happy people chose something different. Its refreshing,” she said. “I believe authenticity (shows) through.” Her win — Israels fourth and first since 1998 — means her country hosts next years Eurovision Song Contest.

“Next time in Jersualem!” Barzilai shouted to the audience as she picked up her award. The international contest began as a competition between European countries, but its huge popularity has led to the inclusion of Israel and Australia among the performers.

Barzilai, known more usually as Netta, has a witty and endearing personality. Before the Grand Final, her song had already racked up more than 20 million views on Eurovisions YouTube channel.

In “Toy,” Netta makes funny noises, including a clucking sound like a chicken and barely decipherable words, and uses a looping machine and synthesizer. The lyrics say, “Im not your toy, You stupid boy, Ill take you down.”

Portugal came last, with 39 points. Fans caught their breath when a protester ran onto the stage and snatched away the microphone of the United Kingdoms contestant SuRie.

Netta from Israel celebrates after winning the Eurovision song contest in Lisbon. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

The man got hold of the microphone but was quickly tackled by security and taken away while SuRie stood by. The British singer kept her composure and picked up her song where she left off.

Previous editions of the annual event have also witnessed protesters getting onto the stage. The event is organized by the European Broadcasting Union, an alliance of public service broadcasters. In each participating country, a jury and viewers award between one and a maximum 12 points to their favorite songs. Those votes are combined to give each country a single score.

Past winners have rarely become household names, but they include Swedish pop group ABBA and Spanish crooner Julio Iglesias.

For all the latest Entertainment News, download Indian Express App

More Top News