It’s the most popular singing competition in the world and last night, Netta Barzilai from Israel beat out stiff competition from rivals Cyprus and Austria with her single ‘Toy’ to win the popular vote and the competition.
Israel earned 529 points with a majority of the popular vote in hand, Cyrpus with its song “Fuego” gained 436 points and Austria came in third with 342 points.
As the title suggests, the competition sees entries from a variety of European countries (and Australia) go head to head in the ultimate continental battle. 6 countries participated in the final, including France, Britain, Germany, Spain and Italy and was held in Lisbon, Portugal after the country took the crown last year.
Netta’s ‘Toy’ has become a global phenomenon and has already hit a staggering 17 million views on YouTube and even hit the No. 1 spot on Spotify Israel. Netta’s odd single reminded fans of the power and inspiration music brings to the world and the song identified with millions around the globe. “Thank you so much for choosing different. Thank you so much for accepting differences between us,” Netta said shortly after winning. “Thank you for celebrating diversity. I love my country!” The 25-year-old later added: “It’s an empowerment song for everybody, for everybody who’s been struggling being themselves – struggling with their bosses, with the government, with someone stepping on them. I’ve been told so many times that I’m not pretty enough, that I’m not smart enough, that I’m not skinny enough to do what I want to do.”
Netta is now expected to embark on a continent-wide tour to support her winning single and will undoubtedly return to the Eurovision stage when it descends on Jerusalem in 2019.
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