After being injured onstage, she kept dancing — and just a day later helped Noam Bettan qualify Israel for the Eurovision final. Now dancer Lihi Freud is speaking publicly for the first time.
In an interview with ynet, Freud said the cameraman from the Eurovision production team asked to apologize after injuring her during Monday’s crucial rehearsal, and that she made clear to him she had moved on.
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Dancer Lihi Freud onstage as 'Michelle' with Noam Bettan
(Photo: Lisa Leutner/Reuters)
“I choose to believe it wasn’t intentional. These are things that can happen in the dance world and in general. I’m looking at the positive side.”
How did you feel at that moment?
“It was a painful blow and I was really dazed while still dancing. I was trying to find the mark I needed to reach, and even when I finished the dance I was still disoriented. I was a little shocked that I managed to finish it, but the paramedics treated me afterward, and I’m glad it’s behind me.”
Do you remember what happened in those moments inside the diamond onstage?
“I think the cameraman slipped and then I got hit. I was dazed and foggy.”
Freud, 26, has already spent 10 days in Vienna, far from the apartment she shares in Rishon Lezion. Soon she will move into a new home with her fiancé, but despite missing home she is mainly focused on the next steps toward Saturday’s final, which will be broadcast on Kan.
“I feel like we’re all inside a bubble,” she says. “We really feel like one small family with so much warmth and love. Being far from home is difficult, but we’re so focused on what we’re doing. We’ve gotten used to being together 24/7.”
For Freud, appearing on the Eurovision stage and representing Israel alongside the four other dancers — Eden Zino, Danielle Ben Avraham, Yasmin Hachmon and Jenia Gafonov — and of course Noam Bettan, is the fulfillment of a childhood dream.
“We started preparing the dance from the beginning of April. Our choreographers Avichai and Tamar Ilnai kept making adjustments all the time. I’m unbelievably excited. Everyone in the delegation in general, and especially onstage, feels the weight of the people of Israel on their shoulders, and that is really not something to take for granted.”
How are you being received backstage and on the streets?
“When we go out into the street, we get a lot of love. People recognize me on the street and even call me Michelle. I feel like it’s become my second name — maybe I’ll add it,” she laughs. “The other delegations also respect us, and the broadcasting corporation really protects us. Onstage, yes, we heard the boos, and it’s true that it’s unpleasant and there’s the situation and people who wanted to bring negative energy — but it had exactly the opposite effect and motivated us even more.”
Do you think you can win?
“I think the chances are very high.”