After 23 years: Ninet recalled a mistake that almost cost her the win in "Kochav Nolad"
In an interview with "Ulpan Shishi", the singer addressed her original choice for the 2003 finale, which was planned to be a completely different song than "Yam Shel Dmaot" (Sea of Tears) and was replaced at the last minute: "One such fateful decision. I don't know if I would have won".
More than two decades after the finale of the first season of "Kochav Nolad", Ninet Tayeb returned to the moments that preceded the unforgettable performance of "Yam Shel Dmaot". In an interview with Danny Kushmaro on "Ulpan Shishi", the singer recalled the original decision regarding the song intended for the decisive moment, and the change that was made at the very last minute.
In the interview, Tayeb recalled how she initially preferred to perform a completely different piece: "I wanted 'Shalal Sharav'". The choice of Gidi Gov's song could have led to a different result that evening in Nitzanim and changed the path of her career.
Tayeb defined the song change as a significant turning point.
"One such fateful decision, — she said. — And at the last minute it was changed to 'Yam Shel Dmaot'"
That quick change has since been established as one of the key moments in the history of local television and music.
Ninet Tayeb: "Such complex relationships"
When asked if she would have won the competition had she stuck with the original choice, Tayeb replied skeptically. "I don't know if I would have won, to be honest," she said, defining the change that was made in one word: "fate".
The performance of "Yam Shel Dmaot" certainly cemented her status, but according to her, it also created a complexity that accompanied her over the years. "It was such a complex relationship," shared Tayeb, referring to the burden that accompanied the performance associated with her.
The reconciliation with the song was expressed recently, when she incorporated a replica from it into the song "Kahol Lavan". "In the new album, it finally closed this corner for me, — explained Tayeb. — And think that, in fact, I doomed myself to sing it at every performance".
Memory from November 2003
During the interview, Tayeb watched the first magazine report made about her on "Ulpan Shishi", shortly after the victory. As a 19-year-old girl, she said to the cameras then: "I need to work, very hard... So what if I won".
Looking back at the years of activity that have passed since, she expressed satisfaction with the professional path she chose. "A 19-year-old girl, and I kept my word," Tayeb concluded, closing the circle regarding those moments of breakthrough.
