Eden Alene

A B6 whistle note hit during the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest semi-final established a record for the highest pitch ever reached in the competition’s history. This vocal feat was performed by Eden Alene, an Israeli singer who navigated the nation’s televised talent circuits before pivoting away from the music industry to pursue a different path in the hospitality sector.

Early Development and Service

Born in 2000 in the Katamon neighborhood of Jerusalem, Eden Alene is of Ethiopian-Jewish descent. Her parents immigrated to Israel during the aliyah from Ethiopia and divorced when she was two years old, leaving her raised solely by her mother. She completed her primary and middle school education in religious institutions before transferring to the Hebrew University Secondary School to study theatre. Following her secondary education, she enlisted in the Israel Defense Forces in October 2018. She served as a performer within the Education and Youth Corps military band until receiving an honorable discharge in October 2020.

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Rise in Israeli Television

Alene’s career began in the domestic talent pool. In October 2017, she joined the third season of The X Factor Israel and ultimately won the season finale in January 2018. Her public profile expanded that April when she performed at the torch-lighting ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the State of Israel. She released her debut single, Better, in December 2018, and secured a role in a local production of Little Shop of Horrors in 2019.

Eurovision Ambitions

The singer’s international exposure arrived through the seventh season of HaKokhav HaBa, which she won on 4 February 2020. This victory secured her spot as Israel’s representative for the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam. Although the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she was internally selected to represent the country in 2021. Competing with the track Set Me Free, she qualified for the final and concluded the event in 17th place out of 26 participants with 93 points.

Career Transition

After her involvement in the Eurovision circuit, Alene’s professional life underwent a significant shift. By 2024, she had ceased her activities in the music industry. She currently resides in Tel Aviv, where she is employed as a restaurant hostess. This transition marks a departure from her previous focus on televised performance and recording.