Noa Kirel (born Noya Kirel) is an Israeli singer, songwriter, actress, and television personality. Widely regarded as one of the most prominent figures in Israeli pop music, she gained international recognition after representing Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 with the song “Unicorn,” finishing in third place.

Kirel was born in Ra’anana, Israel, to a Jewish family of mixed Ashkenazi, Sephardi, and Mizrahi heritage. Her father, Amir, is the CEO of an industrial glass company, and her mother, Ilana, works in real estate. At three months old, she was diagnosed with a severe kidney condition, prompting a rabbi to advise changing her name from Noya to Noa - meaning “movement” in Hebrew - hoping it would bring better fortune. The same rabbi quipped she might grow up to become a dancer.

Her first public exposure came in 2015 when she appeared on the Israeli docu-series Pushers, followed by the release of her debut single “Medabrim.” That same year, she released “Killer,” which drew attention and controversy due to its provocative style. By 2016, Kirel had several hits, including “Yesh Bi Ahava” and “Ten Li Siman,” and was named Singer of the Year at the Israeli Kids’ Choice Awards.

Kirel continued to expand her profile through television, starring in youth series such as Almost Famous and Kfula, where she played herself and her fictional alter ego. In 2017, she became the youngest judge in Got Talent franchise history when she joined Israel’s Got Talent at age 16.

From 2017 to 2022, she won the MTV Europe Music Award for Best Israeli Act for six consecutive years. In 2020, Kirel was drafted into the Israel Defense Forces, where she served in a special musical unit. She signed with Atlantic Records that same year, launching her international music career.

In 2021, she released her first English-language single, “Please Don’t Suck,” followed by “Bad Little Thing” in 2022. Her growing global presence included performances, fashion statements, and interviews that highlighted her artistry and Jewish identity. At the MTV Europe Music Awards in Düsseldorf in 2022, she wore an outfit featuring Kanye West’s image surrounded by Jewish symbols to protest his anti-Semitic remarks, stating she wanted to make a statement “after the Holocaust and all that history”.

In 2023, Kirel competed at the Eurovision Song Contest. Her entry “Unicorn,” co-written by Doron Medalie and herself, blended pop with personal empowerment. Her performance in Liverpool in 2023 was lauded for its choreography and charisma, leading her to a third-place finish in the grand final.

Today, Noa Kirel is a trailblazer in Israeli pop culture, known for her dynamic performances, multilingual music, and unwavering self-expression.

Sources: “Noa Kirel,” Eurovision Song Contest.
“Noa Kirel | Israeli Superstar Enters the Global Arena of Pop,” Flaunt.
“Noa Kirel Biography,” IMDB.
“Noa Kirel,” Last.fm.
Evelyn Frick, 18 Things to Know About Jewish Singer Noa Kirel, Hey Alma, (November 18, 2022).
“Israel: Who Is Noa Kirel?” Eurovix News, (April 9, 2023).

Photo: Tal Abudi, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.