Ethiopian-Israeli teen wins Israel’s X-Factor
Jerusalemite Eden Alene, 17, sobbed and hugged her mother when she was announced as the champion of the singing contest this year
An Ethiopian-Israeli teenager who went viral for a performance of pop star Demi Lovato’s song “Stone Cold” won Israel’s “X-Factor 2018.”
Eden Alene, 17, of Jerusalem, an Israel native who was raised by her Orthodox Jewish single mother, began sobbing and hugging her professional mentor Ivry Lider when she was announced the winner of the competition. As the winner of “X-Factor,” she gets a recording contract.
Alene, who received the most votes from the viewing audience, sang “Human” by Christina Perri for her final performance. She also sang “Hall of Fame” in a duet with the Israel rapper Subliminal.
During her audition broadcast in October, Alene’s version of “Stone Cold” left the show’s judges in shock. At the time, the teen said her dream was to sing a duet with her idol, Beyonce.
Alene wears several rubber bracelets that she says represent different happy memories. Her favourite comes from a workshop at Yale University, where she performed with a mixed Jewish and Arab choir she’s a part of that promotes coexistence.
The rising star left behind religious observance in middle school and switched to a prestigious secular school for high school. She said she respects Shabbat when she is at home with her mother, and that her mother respects her decisions.
Alene told Israel Hayom in an interview early in the competition that she hopes her participation in the competition will help make people think more favourably about the Ethiopian community.
“Every Ethiopian represents the Ethiopian community,” she said.
17-year-old Israeli Eden from Jerusalem blows away judges on Israel's X-Factor. Eden's dream? To perform with Beyoncé …from the looks of it she's not far off! One of the best performances ever on singing show! Eden, we've got another bracelet for you at our StandWithUs Israel Education Center in the Heart of Jerusalem! Stop by for your I <3 Israel bracelet! https://standwithus.myshopify.com/products/i-heart-israel-wristband
Posted by StandWithUs on Friday, October 20, 2017
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