Dancer Lihi Freud: On Engagement, Career, and Media Exposure
The successful dancer who reached the world's biggest stages opens up about the financial realities of her profession, a surprising long-distance relationship that led to an engagement, and her plans to perform at her own wedding.
On the bustling set of the fashion brand "Hoodies" ahead of their winter collection launch, Lihi Freud feels right at home. Amidst the sportswear and streetwear, she moves with an energy that could light up an entire hall. For her, the connection to the brand is entirely natural: "It's the most me," she says with a smile during the shoot.
Her confidence is no accident. Lihi is currently in one of the most exciting periods of her life following her participation on the Eurovision stage—the fulfillment of a childhood dream. Looking back, she is proud of her journey and clarifies that this is only the beginning: "I walk around with a sense of pride and look forward. Just give me a stage, and I am the happiest version of myself."
The road to the main stage was not easy. Lihi speaks openly about the complexity of building a dance career, a field that demands daily sacrifice. The spotlight she enjoys is the result of hard work from morning till night: from endless rehearsals to teaching. When asked about the financial side of the profession, she explained that it is possible to make a living from dance if you work hard enough, but expressed hope that society will eventually learn to better appreciate the work of dancers in Israel.
"It's not simple, especially for dancers. Being given the spot to stand out is not something I take for granted. It’s hard work without end. But when you do it out of love and passion, it just works."
Alongside her professional success, Freud has reached new peaks in her personal life. Unlike past relationships that were highly publicized, this time she found peace away from the cameras. She met her partner, Natan, while he was living in Los Angeles. "The first date was a dream. I didn't think we would date—he was in LA, I was in Israel, and I work around the clock. I said, 'There's no way.' But he fought for it, and eventually, it all came together. We just believed it would work."
After a year and a half of long-distance, the couple reunited. "I fell in love with the person and his sincerity. I'm engaged and I've found my own," she shares. These days, the couple is adjusting to life together in Tel Aviv. "A crazy discovery: he is a clean freak! Plus, he cooks, so I really hit the jackpot."
They are now in the midst of preparations for a huge wedding. Freud describes herself with a smile as a "bridezilla" and a control freak: "I am a control freak, but it's important to me to enjoy the moment, as we'll be surrounded by our closest people. The most important thing is to make it fun." The wedding is expected to be a major event, and Lihi plans to perform herself: "Of course, there will be a performance... mine! Not a guest performance. Just kidding, it will be so much fun!"
She concludes with a message for the younger generation: "It's important to know how to invest and not spend on nonsense. We all want to enjoy life, but you need to look out for your future." When asked what the best deal she ever made was, she didn't hesitate: "Natan!"
