Eurovision winner Netta joins Simon Cowell on X Factor panel

Simon Cowell will be joined by Eurovision winner Netta as a judge on Israel’s X Factor this summer, his first appearance on the show outside Britain and the US.

Netta has achieved global success since her hit song “Toy” delivered her country’s fourth Eurovision Song Contest victory in 2018.

X Factor Israel broadcaster Reshet 13 said Cowell and his team were impressed by the singer, who has topped the charts in the United States and at least 43 other countries.

She has also made multiple appearances at concerts and festivals around the world.

The X Factor will air in Israel this summer.

Cowell has built several connections to Israel since discovering his late father Eric was Jewish, including donations to the Friends of the Israel Defence Forces (FIDF), an NGO based in the United States.

He has also supported Norwood’s annual dinner on a number of occasions, including in 2008 when he told the Jewish News about his delight to discover his father’s heritage.

His son with Jewish American partner Lauren Silverman was named after his dad.

Cowell’s involvement in the X Factor Israel was announced last December. It was the music mogul’s first major project announcement since he underwent back surgery following an accident on his electric bike last year.