Dana International's Longtime Manager Shai Kerem Dies at 61

Shai Kerem, a prominent figure in Israel's entertainment and music industry for decades, has passed away at the age of 61. Kerem served as the longtime personal manager and producer for the renowned singer Dana International, playing a crucial role in many significant moments of her career. He was closely associated with International from the beginning of her rise to global recognition, including her historic win at the 1998 Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Diva."

Kerem, who was also a journalist and editor, previously worked for Israeli newspapers and was the editor of the youth magazine "Rosh Ivri." He took a leave of absence from his journalistic work to focus on preparations for the 1998 Eurovision. In a past interview, Kerem revealed that he was the one who gave Dana International her stage name, "International," explaining that he and his colleagues acted out of a love for music without initially planning for her international success.

In recent years, Kerem also gained television exposure. He appeared alongside Dana International in the docu-reality series "Dana Kama," which explored their personal and professional relationship. He also featured in shows like "The Next Star" and "The Winning Kitchen VIP."

The professional relationship between Kerem and International spanned decades, evolving into a well-known partnership within the entertainment industry. They continued to appear together on screen, including as guest judges on "The Next Star" in the past year.