Netta Barzilai

Netta Barzilai – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Discover the life and career of Israeli singer Netta Barzilai: her early years, rise to fame through Eurovision, musical style, inspiring quotes, and enduring legacy in pop culture and empowerment.

Introduction: Who Is Netta Barzilai?

Netta Barzilai, known mononymously as Netta, is an Israeli singer, songwriter, and looping artist born on January 22, 1993. “Toy”, earning her fame beyond Israel’s borders.

Her bold artistry, unconventional sound, and message of self-acceptance and empowerment resonate with fans globally. Today, Netta is not only a singer but a cultural icon whose influence spans music, identity, and activism.

Early Life and Family

Netta was born in Hod HaSharon, Israel, to Israeli-born parents.

When she was just a few months old, her family moved to Nigeria for several years due to her father’s engineering work.

Her upbringing included challenges: as a young girl, she experienced body shaming and self-image struggles. As she later shared, she “sat on the side when my friends swam … to be afraid of what people will say about you.” These hardships arguably shaped her path toward finding strength through music and self-acceptance.

Youth and Education

In Israel, Netta attended Hadarim High School in Hod HaSharon. HaNoar HaOved VeHaLomed, eventually becoming a youth leader.

During her mandatory service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), she served in the Navy Band, where she honed her performance skills and musical discipline. Rimon School of Jazz and Contemporary Music, focusing on electronic music, though she did not complete the program.

This period gave her both formal training and room to experiment with genres and technology—especially with looping and electronic elements—in her evolving artistry.

Career and Achievements

Early Career & Breakthrough

Before her international breakthrough, Netta performed locally—at clubs, weddings, and smaller venues—and taught looper techniques to aspiring musicians. The Experiment and also took part in other musical and theatrical projects.

In 2017, she auditioned for HaKokhav HaBa (Israel’s national selection show for Eurovision). She sang “Rude Boy” by Rihanna in the first round, earning high votes (~82%).

In the final, she delivered a bold mashup of “Gangnam Style” and “Tik Tok”, earning 210 points and winning the show—securing her spot to represent Israel at Eurovision 2018.

Eurovision 2018: Triumph with “Toy”

Her entry for Eurovision, “Toy”, was composed by Doron Medalie and Stav Beger. ani lo buba — “I am not a doll”) and carries strong themes of female confidence and resistance to objectification.

One hurdle: Eurovision rules require fully live performances (no pre-recorded vocals or tracks). Netta—who often uses loops in her studio work—reworked her performance to comply while preserving her signature style.

On May 8, 2018, Netta won her semi-final with 283 points. 529 points in total (317 from televoters, 212 from juries), winning Eurovision and marking Israel’s fourth victory in the contest’s history.

Notably, her stage presentation included references to Japanese culture, and the visuals behind her featured golden maneki-neko (“beckoning cats”) among the set pieces.

Post-Eurovision Projects & Later Work

Following her Eurovision win, Netta signed a global record deal with S-Curve Records.

In February 2019, she released “Bassa Sababa”, accompanied by a lively music video shot in Kyiv. “Nana Banana” at the grand final.

In 2020, Netta released “Ricki Lake” and launched a creative video series called Netta’s Office, in which she remixed songs using her trademark looping style. Goody Bag, on June 25, 2020, featuring five of her singles including “Toy,” “Bassa Sababa,” “Cuckoo,” “Nana Banana,” and “Ricki Lake.” The Best of Netta’s Office, Vol. 1, compiling her looper-based remixes.

Netta also had a cameo in the Netflix film Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.

Beyond music, she has judged television shows; for example, she served as a judge on The X Factor Israel in 2021. Rokdim Im Kokhavim (Israel’s version of Dancing with the Stars), though she was eliminated early in the live shows.

In May 2024, during the ongoing Gaza war and hostage crisis, Netta performed at a Tel Aviv rally calling for the release of hostages, demonstrating her engagement with Israeli public life and activism.

Historical Milestones & Context

• Eurovision 2018 Victory: Netta’s win reenergized Israel’s profile in European pop culture.

• Cultural Symbolism: Her performance style, music, and public persona challenge norms around body image, gender, and representation—particularly in a region with complex cultural and political dynamics.

• Technological Impact: Her use of looping and live layering set her apart from many pop contemporaries; she fused electronic and organic performance in bold ways.

• Global Reach: Her post-Eurovision tours, festival appearances, and media presence (e.g. TV, judging roles) solidified her as a global pop act—not just a Eurovision footnote.

• Activism & Identity: As an outspoken figure on identity, empowerment, and acceptance, Netta’s platform extends beyond music to social influence.

Legacy and Influence

Netta’s legacy is multifaceted:

1. Barrier Breaker in Pop
   Her victory, image, and sound prove that artists who don’t conform to standard pop molds can achieve mainstream success.

2. Empowerment Icon
   Her messages (in song and speech) around self-acceptance and rejecting norms resonate strongly—especially among marginalized listeners.

3. Inspiration for Future Artists
   Many younger singers cite her willingness to be bold, experimental, and authentic as a model.

4. Cultural Ambassador
   While deeply Israeli in identity, her art and presence cross cultural and linguistic boundaries, making her a soft ambassador of modern Israeli creativity.

5. Legacy in Eurovision History
   Her victory is often cited as one of Eurovision’s more distinctive and unforgettable wins in the 21st century.

Personality and Talents

Netta is known for her fearless creativity, humor, theatricality, and vivacious energy. Her stage presence is dramatic, expressive, and often playful. She has also emphasized that her voice and presence deliver a message:

“My presence and my voice on stage… sends a clear message that you can do whatever you want in your life, break barriers, stigmas – be the new standard.”

Her musical style fuses pop, electropop, experimental pop, and folk-pop elements.

Netta also draws inspiration from soul, R&B, and eclectic influences. As she said:

“I started with soul music and icons like Aretha Franklin … then moved to R&B …”

Her personal openness about struggles with self-esteem, body image, and bullying adds depth to her public voice, making her relatable and inspiring.

Famous Quotes of Netta Barzilai

Here are some of her most memorable and inspiring statements:

• “I wanted to do pop music, and I wanted to dance … this is what my heart wants.”

• “I want to empower and love, to be empowered and empower others. Because when we send out good energy, it comes back at us and makes the world a better place.”

• “For years I would sit on the side when my friends swam … there is no feeling worse than that, to be afraid of what people will say about you, or to be embarrassed by who you are and what you are.”

• “My presence and my voice on stage … sends a clear message that you can do whatever you want in your life, break barriers, stigmas – be the new standard.”

• “It’s amazing to see how if we don’t open our minds to something different, we won’t evolve as a species.”

• “I know when I was a kid I saw only one color of beauty … it was so frustrating.”

• “I believed what people said, that I don’t deserve to be loved … that I’m not intelligent.”

• “I made ‘Ricki Lake’ as a big love show for the American culture … I celebrate, because I believe that the criticism comes with love.”

These quotes reflect recurring themes in her life: self-acceptance, challenging norms, growth from adversity, and inviting openness to difference.

Lessons from Netta Barzilai

From Netta’s journey, several valuable lessons emerge:

1. Authenticity Matters
   Being true to yourself—even if you don’t fit the typical mold—can resonate more deeply than trying to conform.

2. Adversity Can Fuel Strength
   Her struggles with body image and bullying did not define her—they motivated her transformation.

3. Innovation Is a Differentiator
   Using looping and blending genres gave her a unique space in the music industry.

4. Courage in Visibility
   She uses her platform not just for entertainment, but for messages of inclusivity, empowerment, and social awareness.

5. Persistence and Reinvention
   After her Eurovision win, she didn’t rest on laurels; she continued to experiment, release new music, and deepen her reach.

6. Connection Through Vulnerability
   By sharing struggles and doubts publicly, she forged authentic bonds with fans and built real influence.

Conclusion

Netta Barzilai’s journey—from a young girl grappling with self-acceptance to an international pop star and icon of empowerment—is inspiring on many levels. Her artistic boldness, emotional honesty, and refusal to be constrained by expectations make her a standout figure.

Exploring her music and quotes offers more than entertainment: it offers encouragement to embrace one’s uniqueness, break barriers, and live boldly. If you’d like to dive deeper—into her discography, interviews, or lyric analyses—I’d be happy to guide you further.