Yuval, an Israeli youth competing in The Voice Kids Germany, sang a song in Hebrew during the show and told Ynet about the filming for the show along with his family amid the war in Gaza.
Yuval, whose family wishes to avoid sharing their surname due to concerns amid the war, succeeded in moving the show’s judges after singing Jasmin by The Blue Pill. "We had a very long and intense day," Lihi, Yuval's mother, recounted after his performance on the show received significant praise in Israel on Monday. "We didn't think the audition would be so popular in Israel and would make such an impact."
Yuval has been living in Germany for ten years since he left Israel with his family for employment reasons. He is the eldest of two siblings, and the son of Lihi, a graphic designer, and Chaim, who works at a lumber factory.
Lihi says that Yuval's love for music began as soon as he was born. "He used to watch MTV, and when we saw his great passion for music, we bought him a guitar. He has really started to develop his musical talent in recent years and has been attending vocal lessons."
Yuval didn't know his lessons would lead him to stand on the stage of a prime-time television program in Germany. His teacher, who had also participated in a local music reality show in the past, suggested that Yuval sign up for The Voice Kids.
"As soon as they offered us to participate in The Voice Kids, we decided to go for it, and then just a little after the war broke out - the filming started. The show’s production contacted us and asked if Yuval could sing in Hebrew, especially because of the war. They were excited he sang in Hebrew and said he does it better." his mother recounted.
"We actually thought about how he shouldn’t sing in Hebrew because of the war, but as soon as they asked for him to do so - we agreed," she added.
Did the war in Israel affect you in Germany?
"We watch Israeli television at home and we see everything happening in the country," Yuval’s father Chaim said. "Part of our family lives here, but we also have family in Israel and we worry about them and hope the hostages will return home soon."
Yuval, how did you feel when you saw the audition on television?
"I was very excited. It was something we didn't expect at all."
Do you think you can win?
"Maybe, yes. I'll also sing in English later on. I can also sing in German."
Yuval managed to impress the judges, with two of them even turning around and advancing him to the next stage of the show, where he chose the Spanish-German musician Álvaro Soler as a mentor. "He can instruct me more and teach me languages," Yuval explained.
What’s your dream?
"To be a great singer, to succeed worldwide, and also in Israel."