A few months ago, it was announced that the next season of The X Factor Israel will choose the next Israeli representative for Eurovision. Initially Simon Cowell, creator of the contest’s format, was announced as one of the judges, however now it has been announced he will no longer serve as a judge on the show. According to various reports, his management has not given a reason for his withdrawal, which might be due to escalating tensions in the region, or Cowell’s recovery from a back surgery he underwent last year.
Despite Cowell’s attendance being abruptly cancelled, the fourth season of The X Factor Israel will still boast a packed panel of judges. Israeli singer and actor Ran Danker will replace Cowell as a judge on the show, joining local musical stars Miri Mesika, Aviv Geffen and Margalit Tzan’ani. Also slated to judge is Eurovision 2018 winner Netta Barzilai.
The X Factor Israel was chosen as the platform to select Israel’s entrant for Eurovision 2022 after broadcasting company Reshet, which airs the show, won a tender by public broadcaster KAN. Previously, the selection process was handled by Reshet’s competitor, Keshet, and its own musical competition HaKohav HaBa (The Next Star). The winners of the latter show were given the ticket to Eurovision since 2015, when Nadav Guedj represented Israel in Vienna with “Golden Boy”.
One cool note: Eden Alene, who sang for Israel in Rotterdam this year after winning HaKohav HaBa in 2020, also won The X Factor Israel in 2018, so both shows have some Eurovision pedigree. Let’s see if the next season can find a worthy successor to Eden for the 2022 contest in Italy.
What do you think of the X Factor format as a selection method for Eurovision? Would this change give Israel its fifth win? Are you hoping Simon Cowell will somehow change his mind and take part? Let us know in the comments below!
