Michael Ben David (Hebrew: מיכאל בן דוד, IPA: [miχaˈʔel ben daˈvid]; born 26 July 1996) is an Israeli singer who represented his country in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.[1] He performed the song "I.M" in the second semifinal. Israel placed 13th in the semi-final failing to qualify to the grand Final.
Michael Ben David מיכאל בן דוד | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 26 July 1996 |
| Origin | Israel |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | 2021–present |
Life and career
editBen David was born in 1996 as the second of six siblings, to a Georgian Jewish father and mother who immigrated to Israel from Kyiv, Ukraine.[2][3] He started taking voice lessons and studying dance under Israeli choreographer Oz Morag at a young age. He also worked as a singing waiter at a Tel Aviv bar. After completing his mandatory military service he attended the Beit Zvi School of Performing Arts, which has produced a number of former Israeli Eurovision artists like Rita, Shiri Maimon, and Harel Skaat, graduating in 2020. During his time at the school, he acted in plays and musicals.
The X Factor Israel and Eurovision 2022
editIn October 2021, Michael Ben David auditioned for the fourth season of The X Factor Israel, which would be used to select Israel's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2022. Following a successful audition, he was paired up with Eurovision winner and Israeli popstar Netta. During the show he performed a number of songs, including ABBA's "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)", Billie Eilish's "Idontwannabeyouanymore" and Pet Shop Boy's "It's a Sin". Ben David went on to win the final with his song "I.M" and represented Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.[4]
| Song | Original Artist | |
|---|---|---|
| Audition | "Juice" | Lizzo |
| "Ima" (אמא) | Miri Mesika | |
| Chairs | "California Dreamin'" | The Mamas & the Papas |
| Live Shows | "It's a Sin" | Pet Shop Boys |
| "Emor Shalom" (אמור שלום) | Shokolad, Menta, Mastik | |
| "Etz Yarok MiPlastic" (עץ ירוק מפלסטיק) | Margalit Tzan'ani | |
| "Gadal Li Ktzat Zakan" (גדל לי קצת זקן) | Eden Hason | |
| "Efes Ma'amatz" (אפס מאמץ) | Static & Ben El feat. Netta Barzilai | |
| "Bo'er Bi HaShinuy" (בוער בי השינוי) | Marina Maximilian | |
| "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)" | ABBA | |
| "Idontwannabeyouanymore" | Billie Eilish | |
| Song Selection | "I.M" | Michael Ben David |
| "Don't" | ||
| Final | "Shnei Meshug'aim" (שני משוגעים) | Omer Adam |
| "I.M" | Michael Ben David |
Personal life
editAs of 2022, Michael Ben David has been in a relationship with Roi Ram, whom he met while studying at Beit Zvi, for three years. The pair starred in a number of musicals together such as A Thousand and One Nights and King Solomon and Shlomo the Shoemaker, and the farce The Kitchen as well.[3] Ram is still working in the musical theater world, working on a 2022 tour of an adaptation of The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. On the 11th of May 2022, the day before his Eurovision Song Contest 2022 semi-final, Ben David announced on Instagram that he had proposed to Ram in Turin, Italy, and that they were now engaged.[5]
References
edit- ^ "Michael Ben David will represent Israel at Eurovision 2022 with "I.M" after winning X Factor Israel". Wiwibloggs. 5 February 2022. Archived from the original on 23 February 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
- ^ "Michael Ben-David winning Israel's Eurovision contest divides fans". Archived from the original on 24 February 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
- ^ a b Carter, William (13 February 2022). "Israel: Five Things to Know About Michael Ben David". ESCUnited. Archived from the original on 15 February 2022. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
- ^ Carter, William (5 February 2022). "The Chosen People's Chosen Person is…Michael Ben David!". ESCUnited. Archived from the original on 20 February 2022. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
- ^ Granger, Anthony (11 May 2022). "🇮🇱 Israel: Michael Ben David Announces Engagement". Eurovoix. Archived from the original on 11 May 2022. Retrieved 24 May 2022.