Director Tzadi Tzrafati Praises Bar Refaeli's Sharpness on 'The Masked Singer'

Director Tzadi Tzrafati, 85, is returning for his fifth season as a judge on the Israeli version of "The Masked Singer." In a pre-premiere interview, Tzrafati shared his thoughts on the new additions to the judging panel, particularly Bar Refaeli and Moshe Peretz.

Tzrafati described Moshe Peretz as having a "very precise and sharp ear," noting their past collaboration on "Kohav Nolad." He expressed surprise at Bar Refaeli's performance, stating, "There's an image of a model, and suddenly you discover a sharp girl, energetic, comes to work prepared, daring, liberated, and brave who isn't afraid to express an opinion." He added that the new panel has created a "fight" among the judges, with Ofira and Refaeli being particularly competitive.

He also discussed his unique connection with fellow judge Shaher Hasun, describing their dynamic as "complementary" and "comfortable," often involving shared "nonsense" and "teasing."

Tzrafati admitted to still feeling insecure in front of the camera, a fear he has had since his early days on "Kohav Nolad." While he has become more liberated and less aware of the cameras over the years, he still struggles with a "basic insecurity." He also revealed that his directorial background sometimes distracts him from solely focusing on the musical aspect of the performances, as he gets caught up in the staging, lighting, and visual effects.

Reflecting on his career, Tzrafati noted that while he was a director on "Kohav Nolad," identifying a singer's presence, on "The Masked Singer" he feels he "has no idea about anything." He believes he has changed and softened over the past 20 years, becoming more liberated and accepting of himself, partly due to television helping him see himself in a different light.