In case you haven’t been paying attention, Israel has a new teen mega-star – who just turned 18 last week.

Noa Kirel has been turning heads in Israel since 2015. While many adults have followed her career with disapproval (“At such a young age, why does she need to dress like that? Why does she need to dance like that? etc.), hundreds of thousands of kids in Israel watch her every move with admiration and love. And the Israeli press eats it up, as evidenced by her recent star-studded 18th birthday party in Tel Aviv.

She’s hoping to become the next Ariana Grande or Rihanna in Israel…or better yet, America. And with her new English-language single, “Drum”, she just may get the international exposure to make her dreams come true.

How does a normal Israeli teenager from Ra’anana become a successful singer, dancer, TV star, model, commercial spokesperson, and teen icon? Shany Littman of Haaretz recently wrote a very comprehensive article on Noa’s rise to fame, her huge following, the people in her inner-circle, and her future plans. A must-read for any Noa Kirel fan, but also a fascinating look into how “a star is born” in Israel in 2019.

This Teen Is Israel’s New Britney Spears. But Why Is She Such a Hit? (Haaretz)