Assi Azar's New Show Features Celebrities Opening Up About Personal Struggles

Israeli television host Assi Azar has launched a new show titled "Who Wants to Start?" (מי רוצה להתחיל) on Keshet 12, where well-known personalities discuss their personal challenges. Azar, who has openly shared his own struggles with anxiety and panic attacks, aims to create a space for celebrities to be vulnerable and discuss topics often kept private.

In an interview promoting the show, Azar expressed initial apprehension about whether celebrities would agree to participate and share intimate details. He described the show's format, where participants are placed in unfamiliar situations without knowing who else will be in the group or what questions they will be asked. "We put them in a situation where they don't know who is sitting with them in the group and they don't know what they are going to be asked, and they just came because they were asked," Azar explained.

The concept for the show originated from a discussion between Azar and the program's creator, focusing on the idea of addressing mental health and other personal issues. The format evolved to cover a range of topics beyond anxiety, including aging, weight, and body image, with each episode tackling a different theme.

Azar highlighted a particularly striking episode discussing aging, which featured veteran Israeli entertainers Rivka Michaeli, Gabbai Banai, Tuvia Tzafir, and Nurit Gafen. He recounted his surprise at hearing them openly discuss topics like sex at age 80. "I sat there and couldn't believe I was listening to these people and asking them questions like 'Is there sex at age 80?' and they answered everything," he said.

Azar believes that in today's social media-driven era, particularly with platforms like Instagram, there is greater public appreciation for authenticity and vulnerability. He feels that sharing personal struggles, as he has done with his own anxiety, leads to more audience support and love. "I learned from my own experience that every time I shared a problem or something I was dealing with, the feedback I received from the audience helped me; you give in order to truly receive back," Azar stated.