Lihi Toledano Opens Up About Coming Out and Complex Family Dynamics

Singer Lihi Toledano, daughter of beloved Israeli artist Avi Toledano, is making a significant mark on the Israeli entertainment scene at age 24. She currently holds a coveted lead role in the musical "Cabaret," has popular songs on the radio, and performs sold-out shows. In a rare joint interview with her father, she discusses their complex relationship and her journey of self-discovery.

Toledano revealed that she has had relationships with both men and women, describing her dating life as "relationship after relationship, with both men and women." She shared the challenges of coming out to her parents, noting that while her father eventually accepted it, her mother struggled significantly. "It broke my mother's heart," Toledano stated, adding that her mother found it difficult to look at her for a period, leading Lihi to feel "disgust with myself." She eventually distanced herself from her mother for a time.

Reflecting on her father's legacy, Toledano expressed a mix of admiration and a fear of overshadowing him. "I love my father, I love being his daughter. As a child, he was my idol," she said. However, she also acknowledged the potential awkwardness when people recognize her as "Avi Toledano's daughter," admitting, "I feel uncomfortable. It's not that I'm close to being where he was, but I know I will be, so I'm already starting to feel the discomfort."

Avi Toledano expressed immense pride in his daughter's success, stating, "There is nothing that makes a father happier than one of his children succeeding more than him." He acknowledged the differences in their career paths, comparing his early struggles to her more modern approach, but emphasized their shared dedication. "She has ambition, she's total, and that's something you're born with," he remarked.

Toledano also touched upon her early career struggles, including a brief and discouraging appearance on the reality show "The Next Star" at age 17. She recalled being told her style was "outdated," a critique that initially shook her confidence but ultimately pushed her to embrace her unique artistic identity. Her mother, Hagit Levi-Toledano, also shared insights into the family's past financial difficulties and the emotional toll of her divorce from Avi Toledano, which occurred when Lihi was eleven and a half.