Jessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center
X Factor contestant Tamar Friedman lets her father know that she's made it through to the next round (Courtesy)
Jerusalem native Tamar Friedman made it through the third stage of the Israeli version of “The X Factor” reality show Wednesday night. She now enters the live performance rounds.
Friedman, 18, born in Israel to American immigrant parents, wowed the judges at the initial audition in Tel Aviv’s Nokia stadium, but was concerned her lack of stage presence and confidence would ultimately ruin her chances.
“I don’t know how to move onstage, I get nervous,” Friedman told her fellow contestants before her third audition during Wednesday night’s show. It was cause for concern for judge Shiri Maimon, who chided Friedman for not being more competitive about her desire to win.
But judge Rami Fortis, known as the father of Israeli punk, has a grandfatherly attitude toward the singers, and does his best to be gentle, understanding and helpful to the hopefuls.
Judge Rami Fortis sharing the good and bad news with the X Factor contestants (Courtesy)
“You have a complex, interesting voice,” said Fortis to Friedman during Wednesday night’s show. “But you’re going to have to work with me, and work really hard.”
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Friedman called her father to tell him the good news.
“Abba, I passed!” she said.
“No!” he said.
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She ate cupcakes with Fortis to celebrate.
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