Israel: Michael Ben David throws an extravagant ball at the PalaOlimpico

05 May 2022 at 18:00 CEST

Israel's Michael Ben David - WIDE EBU / Corinne Cumming

There are many out there who watch the Eurovision Song Contest for the feel-good factor. In the 2022 Contest, there are few that come as feel-good and self-affirming as the Israeli entry – Michael Ben David’s ‘I.M’.

Michael Ben David, Israel, First Rehearsal, PalaOlimpico, 2 May 2022 EBU / Nathan Reinds

When Israel takes to the stage at the PalaOlimpico for the Second Semi Final in Turin, everyone is going to be invited to the extravagant ball that Michael Ben David is throwing down in that arena. With that introductory strut up (and down again) the catwalk, it’s clear that the artist is not only happy to be here, but is well aware that he belongs here, too.

I feel like I’m in a dream. I’m healthy, I feel loved, I’m full of inspiration to be here and I feel so blessed, too. It’s gonna be amazing. I have a promise to you – we are gonna slay. Because I always slay.

📺 Watch: Michael Ben David – I.M (Official Music Video)

It’s Michael’s first time participating in the Eurovision Song Contest, but as anyone who has heard his entry I.M can attest, he’s not short of an inspirational nugget or two from which to draw upon when it comes to instilling the self-confidence needed to take on any task. In life, we can choose to be our own biggest supporters, and Michael Ben David learned early on that positivity comes from within.

Everything can happen for you. You have to be focused on yourself, be proud of yourself. And don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Sometimes I forget that. But you have to believe in yourself. Look, if I’m here, anyone can be here.

Michael Ben David, Israel prepares to first rehearsal EBU / Andres Putting

Finding the self-confidence to command a stage as large as this in the way that Michael Ben David does, was the first step. Now the Israeli inspiration is just relishing in the very real fact that he is finally here.

It’s a very hard business to be in; to be a singer. And to get this opportunity to do this as a musician – this is the beginning of my career and I’m already on the biggest stage on the planet. Here I am, representing my country. It feels so amazing.

Michael Ben David follows in the footsteps of some great artists who have represented Israel over the years, achieving impressive results in recent years. He’s of course looking to them and their examples for inspiration, but when asked for his favourite Israeli Eurovision entry, he doesn’t hesitate to give an answer.

Netta. She came here and she was herself. She stood behind her own truth. She sang, and she is an inspiration. I love her. She is one of the reasons I am sitting here – she believed in me.

When Michael talks about Netta believing in him, he is referring to the fact that the Eurovision winner was his mentor on the most recent series of The X Factor Israel. Michael went on to win the show, and his prize – to represent Israel at the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest – is something that Netta was obviously able to give him some invaluable advice on.

She helped me so much and brought me so much luck. She taught me a lot about just being in the present and learning to just appreciate yourself and to celebrate yourself.

His win on The X Factor Israel means that Michael Ben David can rely on the support of each and every one of those televoters back home in Israel that made it happen so that he could be here. It’s a source of support that he is well aware of, and isn’t taking for granted.

We are a very small country. So when I’m here, everyone is rooting for me. Because I am their representative, they are supporting me. I’m here because of them. They chose to vote for me in The X Factor. So I am very proud to be their representative. I truly love all of them.

Michael Ben David from Israel, Second Rehearsal EBU / Andres Putting

When it comes to loving people back home, however, there is one person watching from Israel in particular that Michael is totally enamoured with. And that’s his boyfriend, who he speaks very fondly of.

He is my biggest supporter. He is the reason I am still alive, even. We all need so much love in our lives. But it’s so hard to find that love these days. But now I’m in love and I feel loved. And it’s amazing. He sees me, he loves me, and he supports me. I am blessed

If you too are feeling the love for Israel’s Michael Ben David, you can watch his performance of I.M at the Second Semi Final of the Eurovision Song Contest on Thursday May 12.