Michael Ben David

A Jewish News profile says Ben David grew up in Petah Tikva, while a later Ynet interview says he grew up in Ashkelon.[1][6] He attended Kfar HaYarok boarding school from seventh through twelfth grade. He recalled that his family and local environment did not accept him as gay and that he was mocked for his feminine-sounding voice; he described the boarding school as a supportive place that helped him understand he could live successfully while being different.[6]

Ben David has said that childhood bullying over his voice included being beaten and thrown into rubbish bins. He later reflected on the transformation in how he understood his singing: “My voice, which had been a curse for me all my life, became a blessing.”[3] A 2022 profile reported that he came out at 16; in a later interview, he said he had never experienced a conventional coming-out because his sexuality had always been apparent.[1][6] The earlier profile said his mother initially struggled with his sexuality, fearing he would suffer for being different. The two later reconciled, and his mother joined him onstage during his X Factor audition as he performed “Mother.”[1]

Ben David studied acting for three years at Beit Zvi.[3] After completing his military service, he worked as a singing waiter; a customer who taught acting and vocal development encouraged him to study, and he was accepted to the school.[6] During the COVID-19 period, he supported himself by working at a neighborhood supermarket in Ramat Gan, including stocking produce.[4][3]

Ben David won “X Factor for Eurovision” on February 5, 2022, becoming Israel’s representative for Eurovision 2022 in Turin.[1][7] It was the first time Israel had chosen its Eurovision representative through X Factor; the country had used “Rising Star” in previous years.[7] His performances of ABBA’s “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” and the Pet Shop Boys’ “It’s a Sin” helped him reach the final. There, “I.M.”—written by Lidor Saadia, Chen Aharoni and Assi Tal—won the public vote.[1]

The selection’s result combined votes from Israeli entertainers, a music-professionals’ board and viewers. Eli Huli would have won on the entertainers’ and board’s votes alone, but viewer votes put Ben David ahead; Huli finished one point behind him overall.[8][9] After his win, Ben David said viewers’ support meant they accepted him as he was, adding that the victory was for people who felt “worthless and useless.”[8] He also described winning a contest that celebrated the high voice for which he had been bullied as “a tikkun,” or corrective experience.[8]

Ben David performed “I.M.” in the second semifinal in Turin on May 12, 2022. He received 61 points, placed 13th among 18 entries and did not qualify for the final.[2] It was Israel’s first failure to qualify since 2014.[2] The song was described as a self-empowerment anthem, a theme Ben David connected to his experience of being bullied for being gay.[4]

After the contest, Ben David released “Lo Lihyot Ani” (“Not to Be Me”), which he described as the start of his career beyond Eurovision. He wrote the song with Talisman and Gilad Markovich and said the contest’s selected song had shown a theatrical side of him.[10] In January 2023, he released “Sim Gaz,” about encouraging a heartbroken friend to recognize her worth and move on. He co-wrote it with Meital De Razon, and Assi Tal produced it; by then, he had signed with Gaga Management and Universal Music Israel and was preparing songs for a debut EP.[11]

In September 2022, Mako reported that Ben David had been cast in his first screen acting role, playing one of the protagonist’s friends in the youth series “L’af al Anna.”[12] By 2025, he was appearing in Habima’s production of the musical “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” as Adam/Felicia. A review highlighted his singing, dancing, comic timing and portrayal of the drag performer.[5]

Ben David met actor Roee Ram while they were studying acting at Beit Zvi.[6] He proposed to Ram in May 2022, shortly before his Eurovision semifinal, and said that representing Israel on the contest stage and asking Ram to marry him made the period especially meaningful.[13] The couple married in May 2023 after about five years together; television presenter Tzachi Koma officiated.[14] Ben David later said family members attended the wedding except for his religious mother, while describing continued affection and contact with her. He also said the couple hoped to have children.[6]

Ben David has linked his public profile to LGBTQ visibility and resilience after bullying. In a 2024 interview, he said he gave lectures about his childhood, Eurovision experience and present life, and viewed reaching gay young people facing hostility as an important mission; he said some had written that his story saved their lives.[6] After winning X Factor, he dedicated the victory not only to himself but to people who felt “worthless and useless.”[8]

The X Factor result drew disagreement among Eurovision fans, some of whom criticized “I.M.” or questioned the voting process.[8] During the live announcement, host Liron Weizman said Huli had 96 points, while the scoreboard showed 95. A report said the scoreboard’s 95-point tally was correct and finalized Ben David’s win; had the announced 96 been accurate, the finalists would have tied.[7]

After Eurovision, Ben David alleged that international media had refused to interview him because he was Israeli and that cameramen avoided showing Israeli flags. The report of his press-conference remarks noted that he provided no details about the alleged interview refusals and no evidence for the claim about flags; the allegations were not independently established in that account.[15]

Ben David also drew criticism on social media after standing behind the presenters in the green room, waving an Israeli flag and kissing two presenters during the broadcast. The Israeli delegation said the moment followed a bet made during rehearsals that the presenters would bring him onto the live camera, and characterized the interaction as unifying.[16]