His participation followed a victory in the fourth season of the reality competition HaKokhav HaBa L'Eurovizion, where he secured the top spot after performing interpretations of popular songs throughout the tournament.
Early Life and Education
Born on 12 September 1991 in Hod HaSharon, Ziv grew up in a family with Ashkenazi roots tracing back to Romania, Poland, Austria, and Ukraine. He attended Ilan Ramon High School before completing his mandatory military service as a member of a musical band within the Education and Youth Corps Unit of the Israel Defense Forces. Following his military commitment, he enrolled at the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya to study for a degree in communication sciences.
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Ziv first gained public attention during the 2012 debut of The Voice Israel. During his audition, judges Sarit Hadad and Rami Kleinstein turned their chairs for his performance, though he was later eliminated during the Battle Rounds by Kleinstein. Prior to his solo career, he contributed as a backing vocalist for Israel's Eurovision entries in 2015 and 2016, supporting Nadav Guedj and Hovi Star respectively. Beyond singing, he also pursued voice acting, providing the Hebrew dub for the 3D animated film Trolls in 2016.
Eurovision Competition
During his run on the 2017 season of HaKokhav HaBa L'Eurovizion, Ziv consistently earned high public approval ratings. He received 93% of the vote during his initial auditions and maintained strong performances through the quarter-finals and semi-finals. In the 13 February 2017 final, he outpaced runner-up Diana Golbi to earn the right to represent his country on the international stage. The resulting single, "I Feel Alive," was released on 9 March 2017, eventually placing third in the second semi-final round.
Personal Life
Ziv has frequently attributed his ability to learn foreign languages quickly to childhood practice. He speaks fluent Spanish, influenced by a teacher from Buenos Aires, which allowed him to develop an Argentinian accent. In June 2023, he publicly identified as gay.
Fast facts
- Born: 12 September 1991, Hod HaSharon
- Citizenship: Israel
- Education: Interdisciplinary Center, Herzliya
- Eurovision 2017 placement: 23rd
- Language skills: Hebrew, Spanish
Questions readers ask
What competition did Imri Ziv win to reach Eurovision?
He won the fourth season of HaKokhav HaBa L'Eurovizion in 2017.
Did Imri Ziv have previous experience with the Eurovision Song Contest?
Yes, he served as a backing vocalist for the Israeli entries in 2015 and 2016.
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