Image Credit: Mike Ruiz
Despite KAN announcing that they had internally selected Noa Kirel for Eurovision 2023, Noa herself has revealed that she still is uncertain about her participation in the contest next year.
Noa has yet to confirm that she will 100% be Israel’s entry for Eurovision 2023, and hasn’t made any reference to KAN’s announcement on her social media. When Noa appeared on 103FM, she stated that nothing was actually official from her end:
It’s a great honour that they chose me. It’s really exciting, and as a kid I always watched [Eurovision]. So there’s something very grand about it, a lot of responsibility on my shoulders. I’m not taking this whole thing in yet. I’m taking a few days off to understand […] what’s happening. It’s a really big deal.
My team and I will take some time to figure it all out. Together, we will make a decision, slowly.
Noa Kirel, 103FM – Quote provided by Wiwibloggs
A few days later in an interview with the Israeli newspaper Maariv, she reaffirmed that her stance was still the same – Eurovision is not a definite yes for her.
It’s a competition that relies on politics, but on the other hand it is also a big stage and that offers a lot exposure.
Is this the thing that will expose me to the world? Or could it be the other way around? That’s why I need to brainstorm and understand how I approach this.
Noa Kirel, Maariv – Quote provided by Wiwibloggs
The runner-up in KAN’s committee selection, Mergui, told Fergui he does not plan on entering Eurovision “at least not in the next two years”. Mergui took part in HaKokhav HaBa L’Eurovizion (The Next Star for Eurovision) in 2018, in which he came 2nd to eventual Eurovision winner Netta.
If Noa says no to Eurovision, and with Mergui uninterested in participating in 2023, Israel will have to find a new act – how that will be decided is unknown. However, as of now, we still await official confirmation from Noa on her participation.
Make sure you keep up-to-date with Phoenix to get the latest updates on this news and further announcements as we approach the beginning of the 2023 season!
