EJP | News | Israeli included in Eurovision celebrations

	Thursday, May 17, 2012 25 Iyar, 5772

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Israeli included in Eurovision celebrations

Updated: 24/Oct/2005 17:24

Dana International

Photo: Dana International

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Controversial performer Dana International represented Israel in the celebration of 50 years of the Eurovision song contest in Copenhagen, held last Saturday.

The show was called 'Congratulations' and included 14 of what were considered the best ever entries from various countries.

Dana International became instantly famous when in 1998 she was chosen to represent Israel at the 1998 Eurovision contest.

What made Dana International unique was that she is a transsexual and very openly so. Dana International loves to shock and took Europe by storm.

'More provocative'

“Back in 1998 we wanted to win, so we tried to be different but still not outrageous,” said Dana in a press conference in Tel-Aviv.

“But, this time I don't really care being more provocative”.

As it turned out Dana did not win the best of best competition, that honour went to ABBA's 'Waterloo' but it was definitely Dana International's performance which stole the limelight and the headlines.

Dana appeared in an eye-catching outfit that left little to the imagination and exposed her breasts. The outfit was made once again by renowned French couturier Jean-Paul Gautier who made her first outfit in 1998.

This time Gautier titled his creation 'Spanish Bride'.

Dana didn't mind not winning and was especially conciliatory towards the song that did win. Before the contest Dana said of ABBA, "I wouldn't mind being second to them. It will be a great honor to be a runner up to this legendary band".

Born Yaron Cohen

Dana International was born male (named Yaron Cohen) in 1972. From a very young age, Yaron really loved to entertain and perform in front of an audience.

His mother and his younger sister encouraged him to develop his talent through both the school choir and in the Youth Music Company in Tel-Aviv. Later on he attended the National Theater of Israel. It was during high school that Yaron started to discover Tel-Aviv's thriving nightlife.

In his last year of high school, Yaron knew he really was a woman. After graduating with top grades, Yaron met producer and DJ Ofer Nisim. Ofer quickly recognized Yaron's talent, asked him to join his latest drag queen show. Yaron became the leading star of the show. In 1992, Yaron went to London to undergo a gender reassignment surgery. In 1993, as Dana International, she released her first album.

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