Valerie Hamaty's Journey: From Singing Aspirations to Stardom and Beyond

Valerie Hamaty, a singer and actress who rose to prominence on "The Star Next Door," is celebrating her 27th birthday. Despite twice finishing as runner-up on the reality singing competition, Hamaty has built a successful career in both music and acting, even overcoming her "second-place curse" by winning "MasterChef VIP." Hamaty discovered her passion for singing in high school at age 16, initially encouraged by friends and a positive reception from her peers and teachers. Her musical journey began earlier in Jaffa, where she played the recorder and clarinet in a local Arab-Christian community orchestra and participated in the "Mayumana" song and dance ensemble.

Originally a strong student in biology and chemistry, Hamaty was expected by her parents to pursue a medical career. However, she chose music, enrolling in the Rimon School of Music for two years. Hamaty, who is of Arab-Christian Orthodox descent, is a ninth-generation Israeli. She grew up speaking Arabic, Hebrew, English, and French, a multilingual background that has influenced her musical identity.

Before her breakthrough, Hamaty was approached multiple times by "The Star Next Door" production. She initially declined twice, hesitant about reality TV and unsure of her musical identity. On the third invitation, she accepted and reached the finals. She secured second place in the eighth season of "The Star Next Door" in 2021, losing to Tamir Greenberg, and again in "The Star Next Door for Eurovision 2025," this time behind Yuval Rafael.

In November 2025, Hamaty won "MasterChef VIP," preparing a traditional Arab dish, Massakhan. She humorously noted, "I broke the second-place curse, finally." Beyond music, Hamaty has developed an acting career, appearing in series like "Madrasa" and "Talata," playing Tirtza Atar in the play "Od Hochzer Ha'nigun," and performing in the musical "Ze Ani." In 2025, she starred as Nora, an Egyptian woman, in the suspense series "Tahrir" for yes.

Hamaty once considered a career in politics before deciding to influence change through art. She often speaks about her identity as an Arab-Israeli and her desire to connect people through music. Currently, she is engaged to businessman Bishara Najjar, with their wedding planned for November 1, 2026. The celebration is set to include a family event in the north, a ceremony at the Elias Cathedral in Haifa, and a large reception for approximately 1,000 guests.