Shiri Maimon

Shiri Maimon (born 17 May 1981) is an Israeli pop singer and actress known for her powerful voice and heartfelt performances. She sings mainly pop music with touches of soul and R&B, making her style appealing to many listeners. Shiri first gained national fame in 2003 as the runner-up on Kokhav Nolad, Israel’s TV singing contest similar to Pop Idol. Her warm stage presence and vocal talent quickly turned her into one of Israel’s most popular female singers. Internationally, Shiri Maimon is best known for representing Israel at Eurovision 2005 and for her later success in music, television, and theater.

Early Career and Musical Beginnings

Shiri Maimon grew up in the coastal city of Haifa and began singing at a young age. After serving in the Israel Defense Forces entertainment troupe, she auditioned for Kokhav Nolad (“A Star Is Born”). Her big break came in 2003 when she placed second in the inaugural season of that reality singing competition. This exposure launched her music career and introduced Israeli audiences to her emotive pop and ballad style. In 2004, Shiri released her first single “Ad SheTavin Oti” (“Until You Understand Me”), showcasing her soulful voice. She also hosted a popular youth TV program called EXIT while working on her debut album, proving her versatility as a performer.

Eurovision 2005 – HaSheket SheNish’ar

Shiri Maimon became internationally known through the Eurovision Song Contest 2005 – a major part of her biography. She entered Israel’s national selection (Kdam Eurovision) with the powerful ballad “HaSheket SheNish’ar” (Hebrew for “The Silence That Remains”). Shiri won the national final by a huge margin, earning 116 out of 120 points. At the Eurovision final in Kyiv, she delivered a passionate performance, singing in both Hebrew and English. Her song’s mix of languages and heartfelt delivery struck a chord with viewers. Shiri finished in 4th place with 154 points. The Eurovision appearance turned “HaSheket SheNish’ar” into a huge hit – it was the most-played song on Israeli radio in 2005. This success transformed Shiri from a reality TV singer into a respected pop artist at home.

Music Career After Eurovision

After Eurovision, Shiri Maimon’s music career flourished. She released her self-titled debut album Shiri Maimon in September 2005, which quickly went gold in Israel for selling over 20,000 copies. The album spawned hits like “Ahava Ktana” (“Little Love”) – a catchy pop song that became very popular on radio and YouTube. In 2008 Shiri released her second album Rega Lifney She… (“Just Before…”), along with an English-language album Standing on My Own. That year, she achieved international recognition by winning Best Israeli Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards. She even performed a special song “Now That You’re Gone” at the awards show, after being nominated among Europe’s favorite acts.

Shiri continued to evolve as an artist through the 2010s. In 2011 she teamed up with singer Shimon Buskila for a live concert tour and album. Their joint live album HaMofa HaMeshutaf (“The Joint Show”) was a huge success, going platinum with over 40,000 copies sold. Four years after her last solo project, she released Sheleg Ba’Sharav (“Snow in the Heatwave”) in 2012, featuring pop songs and emotional ballads. Some singles like “Zchuchiyot” (“Glass”) in 2015 became radio hits, showing Shiri’s staying power in the Israeli pop scene. In 2020, after an eight-year break from studio albums, she released Neshima (“Breath”), which included previous singles and new material, demonstrating her consistent presence in music.

Acting and Television Roles

Beyond singing, Shiri Maimon has built a solid acting and TV career. In 2006 she made her acting debut on the Israeli television soap opera Yeladot Ra’ot (Bad Girls), playing a young singer dealing with family struggles. That same year, she starred in HaLehaka, a stage musical adaptation of a famous Israeli film, further proving her talent in live theater. Shiri’s theater career reached new heights in 2015 when she took on the lead role of Eva Perón in the musical Evita at Habima, Israel’s national theater. She performed as Eva Perón around 200 times, earning critical praise and even an award for Best Actress in the production.

In 2018, Shiri Maimon made her international stage debut on Broadway. She was invited to New York to play Roxie Hart in the long-running musical Chicago, becoming one of the few Israeli performers to star on a Broadway stage. Her Broadway stint was brief (a special two-week engagement) but received positive attention as a milestone achievement. Shiri has also delighted younger audiences by playing Princess Jasmine in an Israeli production of Aladdin in 2013. In film, she appeared in the Israeli movie Forgiveness (Mechila) in 2019, expanding her acting résumé.

Kdam and Rising Star

On television, Shiri Maimon became a familiar face not just as a performer but also as a personality. In 2011 she co-hosted Kdam Eurovision, the Israeli Eurovision pre-selection show. She is perhaps most visible to Israeli viewers as a talent show judge. Starting in 2013, Shiri was a judge on the first three seasons of The X Factor Israel, mentoring aspiring singers and sharing her experience. After 2018 she joined the judging panel of HaKokhav HaBa (Rising Star), the TV competition that selects Israel’s Eurovision entrants. Her friendly yet honest judging style made her a beloved mentor on these shows. Through these television roles, Shiri has helped nurture the next generation of Israeli singers, solidifying her role as a pop culture icon.

Shiri Maimon nowadays

In early 2024, Shiri celebrated her music career by recording a special live album of her greatest hits with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. This orchestral concert at Tel Aviv’s Heichal HaTarbut showed her evolution from reality-show singer to established artist on the cultural stage. Shiri also still appears on television, serving as a judge on popular singing competitions (most recently Rising Star) and sharing her expertise with young performers. In public life, she often participates in high-profile cultural events and remains a role model for aspiring artists.