Israeli actress Gal Gadot offered heartfelt encouragement to Israeli Eurovision contestant Yuval Raphael ahead of Saturday’s final in Basel, praising her performance and urging her to enjoy the experience.
In a conversation between the two shortly before the contest, Gadot called Raphael “stunning, sweet, a champion, a hero,” telling her, “You’ve already won — now it’s just about enjoying the moment. Celebrate your creation, a work of love, full of light. It’s such an emotional song, tailor-made for you. You are a great light.”
Raphael described the experience as “crazy,” saying, “You prepare yourself but it’s a thousand times more than you imagined. I’m having fun and enjoying it.” She admitted to feeling nervous before going on stage but said once there, she calmed herself with a traditional expression, “knock on wood.”
Gadot encouraged Raphael to channel her pre-show nerves into energy: “Use the pre-show excitement — it means you’re alive and electricity is flowing through you. Let that energy burst out and amaze everyone.”
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When asked what position she was performing in, Raphael said she would be the fourth act, acknowledging some believe performing early might hurt her chances, but remained hopeful. “It really depends on us and the hope that everyone votes,” she said.
Gadot sent her best wishes, blew kisses, and told Raphael she was looking forward to seeing her perform, urging her to “step onto the stage with your right foot forward.”