Bar Refaeli Returns to Israeli TV Amidst Career Resurgence
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
Bar Refaeli is returning to Israeli primetime television as a judge on "The Masked Singer" and will host "Ninja Israel." This comeback follows a tax evasion scandal and a less-than-successful docu-reality show. The move by Channel 12 is considered a significant gamble, betting on Refaeli's brand appeal and the public's willingness to forgive past controversies.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Bar Refaeli will judge "The Masked Singer" and host "Ninja Israel" on Israeli television.
- Her return follows a tax evasion conviction and a poorly received docu-reality series.
- Channel 12 is making a significant gamble on Refaeli's renewed public appeal.
- Refaeli previously hosted "X Factor" and the Eurovision Song Contest.
- The article contrasts her career resurgence with Leonardo DiCaprio's dating habits.
Israeli model and TV personality Bar Refaeli is making a significant comeback to primetime television in Israel, set to appear as a judge on the new season of "The Masked Singer" starting this Saturday. This marks a new chapter in her career, which has seen her transition from modeling to hosting and now judging, contrasting with her ex-partner Leonardo DiCaprio's continued pursuit of younger models.
Refaeli's television career has had its ups and downs. While her acting attempts, including the telenovela "Pick Up" and the series "To Be With Her," did not materialize, she found success as a host. She fronted three seasons of "X Factor" for a reported one million shekels per season, showcasing a lighthearted and engaging persona. She previously turned down hosting "Big Brother Israel" in 2018 to focus on her young children and hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv in 2019 before stepping away from primetime.
A significant hurdle in her public image was a tax evasion case, which concluded in 2020 with a plea deal. Her mother, Tzipi Refaeli, received a 16-month prison sentence, while Bar was sentenced to nine months of community service. This resolution, following past public criticism for alleged military service evasion, was perceived by some as a reckoning.
Following the tax case, a docu-reality series titled "Refaelis" aired on HOT, aiming to repair her public image by offering a glimpse into her life. However, the series was criticized for being superficial, with Refaeli remaining reserved and distant, failing to fully open up. The show concluded after two seasons due to financial disagreements.
Channel 12's decision to cast Refaeli in "The Masked Singer" and subsequently have her host "Ninja Israel" (replacing Assi Azar and Rotem Sela) is seen as a calculated move by Keshet, Israel's leading television network. The network reportedly believes Refaeli can carry two primetime reality shows and that the Israeli public, despite past controversies, is ready to embrace her again. The article suggests that Refaeli's strength lies in being herself, a brand that resonates with audiences who consume television personalities like any other product.
The article also briefly touches upon other television developments, including the upcoming return of Lena Dunham's "Girls" for a new season, and the second season of the crime drama "MobLand" starring Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan, and Helen Mirren, as well as the new legal drama "Cupertino" from the creators of "The Good Wife."
Mentioned
