Bar Refaeli to host 'X Factor Israel'
Supermodel signs contract to lead Israeli version of Simon Cowell's television music competition. According to industry estimates, she will be paid some NIS 1 million per season
Refaeli, who will celebrate her 28th birthday next week, signed a contract with Reshet TV on Sunday to lead the Israeli version of Simon Cowell's television music competition. This will be the second television program she hosts after leading a reality show in Germany in the past year.
'X Factor Israel' is expected to air this year. Singers Rami Fortis, Moshe Peretz and Ivri Lider have already been chosen as judges, and singer Shiri Maimon is likely to join them in the coming days.
As opposed to other countries, Reshet has restricted the competition to participants over the age of 15 after failing to receive the required permits for younger contestants from the Economy Ministry.
Reshet appears to be investing quite a lot of money in the show's first season. In addition to the NIS 1 million Refaeli is expected to earn for hosting the show, judge Moshe Peretz will receive some NIS 600,000 ($162,000) per season.
Singer Rita, who eventually decided to join Keshet TV's "Kochav Nolad" (A Star is Born) music show, was initially offered some NIS 800,000 ($216,000) to participate in "X Factor."
