Noa Kirel is hosted by the Culture Committee, March 2024/Reuven Castro
Five and a half months since the beginning of the war in Gaza, and it seems that there is almost no family in Israel that has not been affected by it in one way or another.
A month ago it also reached Noa Kirel's family, that her cousin Uri Yaish was murdered in an attack at Ram Junction.
"I have a very large family on my mother's side, she has 11 brothers and sisters, and we are fifty cousins," says Noa Kirel in an interview with Walla!
culture.
"He is my cousin's son, so the closeness is a bit distant and it's not an everyday relationship, but it's still family for all intents and purposes. When I heard about his death, it was very sad and scary, because when it comes to your home - you realize how real it is and that it's happening for everyone".
Almost everyone knows someone who was murdered, kidnapped, injured.
"True. We're a small country and that doesn't pass up on anyone. His mother, my cousin Chaya, sent us videos of him singing. He was full of joy in life and that's very sad."
Watch the full interview with Noa Kirel above,
you can also listen to it on Spotify
Listen here to the interview with Noa Kirel:
On her cousin Uri Yaish's son who was murdered in the attack: "Although the closeness is a bit distant and it is not an everyday relationship, but it is still family for all intents and purposes. When I heard about his death it was very sad and scary, his mother, my cousin Chaya, sent us videos of him sings. He was full of joy for life and it's very sad"
Noa Kirel doesn't really need to be introduced.
In recent years she is the undisputed star of Israel.
She appeared three times at Yarakon Park and filled it time after time, released many songs that became huge hits overnight - and of course took third place at last year's Eurovision with an unforgettable performance of "Unicorn".
Since the October 7 massacre and the war that broke out in its wake, she has somewhat dropped off the radar.
This is how it is: when the guns roar, pop takes a hit.
She also realized that no one has a head for happy songs and instead worked in the advocacy arena, visited kidnapped girls who had returned from captivity - and worked in the recording studio on new music.
For an interview in the studio and voila!
She arrives accompanied by her partner in recent months, Bayern Munich's Israeli goalkeeper Daniel Peretz.
After winning third place at Eurovision, it was supposed to be a year of international breakthrough.
Do you ever think where your career would have been if not for the war?
"You can constantly think about what would have happened if and what would have happened if, but I'm less preoccupied with these thoughts. When there's a war, it's the main and biggest thing and the thing you focus on the most. It's understandable. By the way, I'm actually glad I got to do the Eurovision Song Contest before - even though I would have done it even now - but this is how I managed to leave my mark on this stage. In any case, I think ahead and there is no doubt that it is more challenging now to succeed in the world. Yes, our situation in Israel has made it a challenge."
It's much more than that.
It is at the level of impossible to succeed as an Israeli now abroad.
"Yes, I understand what you are saying but I don't like the word 'impossible'.
Precisely because of the situation, it burns in me more than ever, yes to show and yes to make our voice heard and not to give up.
So even if it takes longer, then fine, I have a lot of patience, I'm young, everything is good."
In the industry it is said that you told your label "Atlantic" that you might move to the United States and it didn't happen in the end. Why didn't it happen?
"It was always a thought , so I said maybe it could happen, but I didn't commit to anything specific and then in the end it didn't happen.
Look, today I don't believe in one place either.
There really is no such thing as living in one place.
I can spend a week in the United States, a week in Israel."
A week in Munich with your partner Daniel Peretz.
(laughing) "A week in Munich.
It doesn't really mean anything.
You can be in another country within a few hours, and yes, that's what I do, I'm on the plane a lot, I'm in the United States a lot, I'm here in Israel a lot.
I am both and both."
"I don't like the words 'impossible'".
Noah Kirel/Reuven Castro
"There is no doubt that it is more challenging now to succeed in the world because of the situation in Israel. There was a thought of moving to the United States, I said that maybe it could happen, but I didn't commit to something specific and in the end it didn't happen. Look, today I don't believe in one place either. There really is no such thing live in one place"
Aren't you afraid that there will be an attack on Aden Golan at Eurovision, both on and off stage?
"You can't lie and say that it's not scary at all, because this year's Eurovision is also in a country that loves us less and in a situation of war. I'm sure she also has a certain fear, and even if I think of myself in this situation, I was also a little afraid. But you have to put Put that aside and come to represent the country with respect and pride and not think about the fear. You have to understand that it is a right and a responsibility to represent the country in these days and in this period and focus on doing the best."
Do you like "Hurricane", our Eurovision song?
"Very very. It is very beautiful, very moving, very powerful. It is very suitable for this period and I hope that in the three minutes she sings the song on stage, they will put politics aside as much as possible."
Well, that's not really possible.
"Yes, it's impossible."
What did you think of the corporation that folded and finally agreed to change the lyrics?
There were those who thought that maybe he shouldn't have climbed that tall tree in the first place.
"It's very tricky. On the one hand, they didn't want to give up Israel's representation in Eurovision, even if it meant changing some things in order not to give up and to be a part, especially in this period. So yes, sometimes you have to make concessions. But yes, it also sucks. Now why change the words? If any word feels political to them, then it should be changed?"
Did they make the right decision in your opinion?
"Yes, I think so. I don't think we should have given up our representation this year, and even if it meant playing with the words a little, a very powerful song was still released that conveys a very strong message."
More in Walla!
Not even the October 7 massacre could make Noa Kirel say a meaningful sentence
To the full article
"In my new songs there is something that can be interpreted more as the power of the state."
Noah Kirel/Reuven Castro
The corporation, which folded in the Eurovision song affair, climbed a tree too high?
"On the one hand, sometimes you have to make concessions. But yes, it also sucks. Why change the words now? If a word feels political to them, then it should be changed? A very powerful song was still released that conveys a very strong message."
These days you are participating in the yes campaign.
How did it feel to be photographed again?
Suddenly a routine in a time of war.
"It's strange. On the other hand, I feel that everyone wants to get back to normal. It's also something that characterizes us as a people, that despite all the pain, we know how to raise our heads, get out of it and carry on as normal. I mean, it will never really be normal and that's why the return to normal is very Slow and gradual. But there's something fun about it that slowly they start to come back because people want it and I want it too, to get back a little to energy, to life."
And this anguish of the abductees always remains.
"It's always there, you can't forget. I always follow the chain of the abductees and use the platform I have for advocacy, on the networks, everywhere. It's always a part of us, there's nothing we can do."
How did October 7 shake you on a personal and public level?
What have you changed?
"I don't think I've changed, but this period sharpened a lot of things in me that I may have known, but it strengthened them, such as the power and influence we have as artists. An artist abroad does not know what it's like to make a child who has returned from captivity happy.
It's something that only we, the artists, have here in Israel.
So it really sharpened for me the influence and the amazing privilege I have to make those children happy, both those who were evacuated, and those who returned from captivity, everyone who was hurt in one way or another from that period.
If I can make them happy, even just a little, it's a whole world."
Noa, you're a pop singer. Just as after Rabin's murder something in Israeli rock and roll faded, are you afraid that maybe after October 7 - pop will also know you and undergo a change?
"An interesting question.
I think about it a lot because pop is the happiest and most colorful music with texts that mostly talk about happy things, and with lots of dancing and colors.
In recent times there hasn't been much room for it."
The question is whether there will be a place for it, if it will manage to return.
"I think there will be a place for it, because even in the midst of pain our people know how to raise their heads and return to be happy and overcome.
We have mental resilience as a people, which only we have.
That's why I don't expect it to go away.
I think it will come back.
In fact, it's already coming back, even if it will take some time."
What songs are you creating these days? Are they different?
"I'm working on a lot of material.
I used this period mainly to work and prepare a lot of things.
I can tell you that once in the studio I wanted to write something that could be interpreted both about me and the State of Israel.
I'm used to conveying strength and power in my songs, and maybe there is something in the new songs that can be interpreted more as the strength of the country."
Do you find yourself creating more ballads and less rhythmic songs?
"Not really.
The texts are simply more about strength, hope."
More in Walla!
One of the murdered in the attack - Noa Kirel's cousin: "The sadness and heartbreak never stop"
To the full article
"The Eurovision this year in a country that loves us less and in a war situation. If I was in the competition this year, I would be a little scared."
Noa Kirel at Eurovision 2023/screenshot, EBU, here 11
"I don't think I changed after October 7th, but this period sharpened a lot of things for me, such as the power and influence we have as artists. An artist abroad does not know what it is to make a child who has returned from captivity happy.
It's something that only we, the artists, have here in Israel"
A lot of artists who didn't really talk about current events in the political sense, started talking now, after October 7th.
Any chance we'll hear you too?
Why hasn't this happened until now?
"Maybe in the future. Why didn't it happen? Because I really deal with it less, understand it less, I'm not ashamed to admit it. Of course I hear and I'm aware of what's going on, but I don't go into the depth of things less. But maybe in the future."
Do you think people expect to hear your voice on political issues?
"Maybe so, but in the end I am an artist and my way of expressing my opinion and what I think is mainly through music. So yes, I will continue to do it through music."
Two months ago, Kirel filed a NIS 1.3 million lawsuit against TikTok claiming that the social network presented "false advertising that presented a decline in its commercial success" after publishing a list in which Kirel was presented in a lower place than the singer Anna Zak.
About two weeks ago Kirel reached an agreement with the social network and put the lawsuit behind her.
Did you have any dilemmas before you decided to sue TikTok?
I'm not talking about the essence but about the timing.
Isn't that seen as a bit of nonsense while the country is in mourning?
"But a lot of things happened during this period. They published their data during the war, which means that things continued to happen and the industry continued to work. The industry continued to release items, and everything continued to happen, so I saw it as appropriate in that situation to also respond to it."
Next year will be 10 years since your breakout.
What is the point you can put your finger on when you realized you did it?
"It was at the very beginning, after I released my second song. I went to see the festival like every year, and suddenly I was attacked and I didn't understand why. I didn't put it together in my head that maybe it was because of the music. In the middle of the show I couldn't sit in the chair anymore. I went outside because all the time They approached me. That's when I realized that something was happening, that it was working, that it was successful, that it was reaching people the way I wanted. By the way, two years later I was in the cast of the festival, so I closed a circle."
More in Walla!
100 days to the war: a sharp decrease in the amount of playbacks of Noa Kirel and Anna Zak, an increase for all Israeli music
To the full article
Noa Kirel from the yes/Eran Levy campaign
"At the very beginning, after I released the second song, I went to see the festival and suddenly I was attacked and I didn't understand why. I didn't connect in my head that maybe it was because of the music. In the middle of the show I could no longer sit in the chair. I went outside because they kept coming up to me. That's when I realized that something was happening , that it works, that it succeeds"
Speaking of your second song, "Killer", you released it at the age of 14 and it was very provocative.
When you look at it in retrospect, are you at peace with the song and everything that was around it?
"Yes, yes, I am very much of the attitude that everything happens for a reason and I would not change anything from my path. Even if I sometimes ask 'what, how did I wear it, how did I say it, how did I do it' - everything is part of my path and what built me . And regardless, it really hardened me. I jumped into the deep water in a second. Look at me today. I'm hardened, dealing with criticism, with things, that's why I don't regret it."
By the age of 22, you managed to reach third place in Eurovision, perform three times in Yarkon Park, release dozens of hits and conquer more and more peaks.
Where will you be in 20 years?
How many of your songs do you think will survive, if any?
"Good question, I can tell you where I hope to be. My biggest dream is to succeed with God's help also overseas, whether it's in Europe or the United States. That's where I see myself. On a personal level, of course, family and children with God's help. It's also part of life , alongside the career. Which songs will survive? You never know. Only the test of time will tell. There are no rules for anything."
What specific moment do you take from all your exciting encounters with children who have returned from captivity in Gaza?
"I had several encounters where I couldn't believe that I was even in these situations. I couldn't believe that I was able to give strength to that girl, that boy, who went through what he went through. There were children who came back from captivity who didn't talk about the trauma and when they saw me they just started talking. There were children who really opened up In front of me, they shared and told me their story"
are you going through any kind of preparation for something like this?
"Yes, there were places where I was prepared, and there were places where it was spontaneous. For example, I made a video call with a lovely girl who, as soon as I opened the phone, she told me that her father had been murdered. I wasn't ready for that. I took a lot of breath and was there for her. Then she told me an amazing sentence . She smiled and said to me, 'I can't believe that on the same day my father was also murdered and I'm also talking to Noa Kirel. It's crazy.'"
Wow, what a sentence.
"I have chills, really, because I tell myself that I can't catch the fact that she's even smiling. She was informed that day that her father was murdered but was happy that I was talking to her. She didn't know whether to be sad or happy. It's unimaginable strength. It's really strength On. It's a privilege, during the war I really understood that."
More in Walla!
"Without the difficult moments at the beginning, I would not have reached my success today"
To the full article
"Maybe they expect to hear my voice on political issues."
Noah Kirel/Reuven Castro
"In every interview, including here with you, I am always authentic, always real, I will always say everything I think. This is who I am, I am strong. Why say I have anxiety attacks if I don't?"
To a large extent, this war has placed women at the center, whether as fighters and subservient officers or as captives in Gaza. It feels like there is a gap between the situation on the ground, that there are women fighters and commanders, and the leadership is seen mainly as men. Would you like to see more women in leadership? Maybe even a prime minister?
"Yes, why not?
It can be really special.
Maybe the war will bring some change in this aspect, I hope."
After October 7, pop music froze. According to estimates, you incurred losses of millions due to canceled shows, reality shows that were frozen, campaigns that were stopped. How much did it bother you?
"There is no doubt that the war stopped a lot People in many fields, many things.
There is something here that has never happened to our people, and there are challenges that are a little bigger than canceled concerts or campaigns.
You have to get into proportion.
They found out that it upset me that I didn't show up the way I used to show up and that things stopped, but that's less interesting than the daily struggle of all of us and the hard news from the war.
It's much sadder, and that's why during this period I focused on visiting children who returned from captivity, visiting the wounded, and that fulfilled me."
In the eyes of many, you are seen as a superhuman, as a superwoman, with a style that is always maintained. Doesn't this image hurt you in some way? Don't you want it to sometimes also Will they see your fragile side? The flaws? The fractures? Anxieties? Fears?
"By and large I'm a strong person, I'm not ashamed to say that.
I've been through a lot, I've faced a lot from a very young age and I want to be perceived as such as well.
This is what I transmit, because it also transmits to people a lot of strength and power and it inspires them to deal with things.
It's also the reactions I get."
But showing vulnerable sides is also perfectly fine. It gives approval to people who suffer from the same pains. Statik, for example, talked about his anxiety attacks.
"True.
There were also a million interviews in which I cried and told about the difficult sides.
I don't have panic attacks, I won't lie.
I don't see it as a bad thing, I'd rather not have them, but I don't.
Why say I have anxiety attacks if I don't?
In every interview, including here with you, I am always authentic, I am always real, I will always say everything I think.
I will not try to create some kind of image that is not me.
This is who I am, I'm strong, I'm not ashamed of it and I have nothing to try to show otherwise.
And of course I show my vulnerability, I also show it whether it's in interviews or the laughs in interviews.
This is who I am.
In the end, I'm a 23-year-old girl. Obviously, there are less good sides, after all, the whole world saw me fall apart on the Eurovision stage."
True, and that's why this moment was so authentic and charming.
"True.
And that's me too, but you see both from this and from this and from this and from this."
More in Walla!
"I wasn't offended by the imitation in 'Eretz Fahadrah'. Anyone who knows me and Anna knows that we don't care about public relations"
To the full article
Noa Kirel and her partner Daniel Peretz/screenshot, Daniel Peretz's Instagram
On claims that her relationship is for PR purposes: "At first I said 'What, how can they say such a thing?
They do not know'.
I won't lie, it was really hard for me because there is nothing more real and pure than a relationship and a relationship and then they say 'it's not real' and 'everything with her is PR'. It's not true and it can drive you crazy."
We thought we'd do something bold and really unexpected and ask you about Margie and Anna Zak.
(laughs) "Wow! Where did you get that from?".
In "Great Country" they stung the relationship of your ex Margie and Anna Zak and claimed that it was allegedly for PR purposes, including the use of the phrase "we are the best in PR".
"We were also laughed at there."
Right.
and how did you feel
"First of all, it made me laugh a lot. It's not the first time that I've been imitated in a great country. It's very flattering to me and I also like humor and self-humor, so I saw it as a joke and laughed."
And to the body of the accusation about being in a relationship for PR purposes,
does that annoy you?
They don't know, they don't know'.
So yes, I won't lie that at first - and here you wanted me to show my vulnerability - it was really hard for me.
I won't lie, it was really hard
for me because there is nothing more real and pure than a relationship and a relationship, and then they say, 'It's not
real.'" drive you crazy. You say 'what?!'. It was very, very painful that they didn't believe me. I've been in this field for many years and they've said anything possible about me, so on the one hand I say that it doesn't matter what I do and what I say - everyone will have something say about it. On the other hand, I can't let it control me."
How many times do you take selfies a day?
"We do a lot, but it's fun. I love it, I enjoy it, even after a decade I enjoy it."
In the interview in the Friday studio there was a lovely moment when you were in Munich with your partner and you said that you enjoy not being recognized but after a few days you get a little tired of it and you really want to be recognized.
"It's the most me."
Do you prefer not to be recognized or do you prefer to be recognized and harassed with requests for congratulations and photos?
"You can take it to the place of 'it bothers me and oppresses me' and you can take it to the place of 'wow, they love me, how fun it is, this is what I wanted all my life and I worked for it'. In general, I love it and enjoy it. Children for example Those who come to me - it's pure love, they can't lie. I love the hugs I get."
What was the craziest place someone asked for a selfie?
"Once they asked me in the middle of a fitness session when I was sweating on the bike. I didn't want to stop so I took a picture while riding."
More in Walla!
Eden Golan: "I'm not naive, the reality is not happy and I know what they say in the world"
To the full article
"We were also laughed at in 'Eretz Fahadrah'. It flatters me and I like self-humor."
Anna Zack and Margie/Photo Processing, Instagram |
Screenshot
"Regrets? A few years ago I said in an interview that the Eurovision Song Contest is less suitable for me. There is also an interview in which I have pink hair. So of course I said 'Why did I say what I said?', 'Why did I do that to my hair?', 'Why did I do the commercial like that?' ?'
But there's nothing to be done, it's part of the journey and anything like that has made me stronger"
מגיל 14 את באור הזרקורים. הייתה חסרה לך איזושהי ילדות רגילה?
"באיזשהו מקום כן, כי בגיל 14-15 כבר הופעתי ועבדתי, אז לא היה לי, לא יודעת...".
צופים?
"הייתי קצת בצופים".
וואלה?!
"כן, פעולה אחת. הבנתי שזה פחות אני. אז כן, לעבוד מגיל צעיר משנה אותך בהמון מובנים. גם להיות מוקפת בסביבה רק של מבוגרים - זה ביגר אותי מאוד בגיל מאוד צעיר. אני לא יודעת איך להסביר את זה אבל אני מרגישה שככה זה אמור להיות, כלומר שזה מה שנולדתי לעשות בגיל הזה ובדיוק ככה. אי אפשר היה להתווכח איתי. רציתי ממש את זה. לא הייתי משנה כלום".
אין שום דבר מכל הקריירה שלך שאת מתחרטת עליו?
"לא. תראה, לפני כמה שנים אמרתי בריאיון שאירוויזיון זה פחות מתאים לי. וגם יש ריאיון שאני עם צבע ורוד בשיער. אז ברור שאמרתי 'למה אמרתי מה שאמרתי?', 'למה עשיתי את זה לשיער שלי?'. ברור שיש מלא דברים כאלה שאני מסתכלת אחורה ואני אומרת, 'למה אמרתי את זה? למה עשיתי ככה את הפרסומת על זה?' אבל אין מה לעשות, זה חלק מהדרך וכל דבר כזה גם חישל אותי".
איזו מוזיקה את באופן אישי שומעת? מה יש בספוטיפיי שלך עכשיו?
"וואו, שאלה טובה. אני אוהבת פופ, אז דואה ליפה גם הוציאה כמה שירים טובים. אריאנה גרנדה הוציאה אלבום מדהים. לפעמים ספוטיפיי מרכיב לי פלייליסט מדברים שאני אוהבת וזה נורא נוח".
הוא מכניס גם שירים של נועה קירל?
"לא".
מעליב.
(צוחקת) "לא, אני לא שומעת את עצמי, אתה יודע".
אבל בגדול זה יהיה נכון להמר שאת שומעת יותר לועזי מישראלי?
"אני חושבת שכן, שאולי טיפה יותר, אבל יש הרבה שירים בעברית שאני שומעת. אושר כהן ואודיה נמצאים בפלייליסט שלי, הרבה פופ ישראלי נמצא שם גם".
עוד בוואלה!
"ברור שאני מפחד שלא אקבל עבודה יותר בהוליווד, אבל איך יכולתי לא להתייצב למען ישראל?!"
לכתבה המלאה
"באיזשהו מקום, הייתה חסרה לי ילדות רגילה". נועה קירל/ראובן קסטרו
"החלום הכי גדול שלי הוא להצליח ב"ה גם מעבר לים. שם אני רואה את עצמי. במישור האישי כמובן משפחה וילדים ב"ה. איזה שירים ישרדו? אי אפשר לדעת. רק מבחן הזמן יידע. אין חוקים לכלום"
Is there anyone, perhaps one of the former style singers Shlomo Artzi, with whom you feel like doing a duet?
"Yes, Shlomo Artzi. Some 3-4 years ago I wanted to do a song with him and I just went to his manager and told him 'I want to do a song with him'. Like that, cheekily. And then Shlomo came and said to me 'Are you the girl who wants to do a song with me?' I told him 'yes'."
Well, where does it stand?
"In the end I sang with him on stage at his concert in Caesarea and we will hope that something will come of it. I really want to, it's really a dream of mine. I really love Shlomo Artzi."
This story reminds how in addition to the huge talent, how much ambition was also an integral part of your story.
Luck is that it comes along with talent.
How much did the fact that you had an emotional and financial support system from home help you?
"My success, God willing, happened relatively quickly, so here the financial side doesn't have too much of an effect because it started to pay off very quickly. The emotional side is the main thing, that's the thing. If it weren't for my parents, my family, my team, my environment, my son My partner, I couldn't... Look, it's containing so much and dealing with so much and I need this emotional support, this envelope. They never leave me for a moment, and it's only thanks to them that I'm without anxiety."
Tell me, so what did you actually do in the last months when you didn't show up?
"A lot of publicity. It was a time when everyone who had followers and networks, it was the time to use, whether it was videos, whether it was participation in rallies and events at the United Nations.
In addition, I also used the time to work on new materials."
So come on, when will we hear?
"Very soon.
There are already many things ready."
And what other dream do you feel like fulfilling?
"This is a field where dreams never end and there are many big stages in the world.
But first of all, mainly to continue in Israel, to be here, to be happy, this is my home.
At the same time also try to develop overseas.
There are intentions to perform at Madison Square Garden and there are many more dreams."
More in Walla!
"All those responsible for the failure should have flown on October 8. This is the meaning of responsibility"
To the full article
I hear more Israeli foreigners.
Noah Kirel/Reuven Castro
Listen here to the full interview with Noa Kirel
Editor: Sigal Sirius.
Director: Gidi Israeli.
Sound: Ilan Levy.
Still photography: Reuven Castro.
Lighting: Yossi Adizas.
Production: Hagit Barak and Shay Verker
More on the same topic:
Noa Kirel
Gaza war
War of Iron Swords
Eden Golan
Eurovision
tiktok
Anna Zak
Jonathan Margie
Wonderful Country