Europe's popular annual fest of kitsch and outrageous fashion kicks off Tuesday in Tel Aviv, with Israel hoping the Eurovision Song Contest may help burnish its image despite boycott calls.
Last year's winning performance by Israeli singer, Netta Barzilai, with her #MeToo-inspired song "Toy" -- which included clucking sounds and chicken-like dance moves -- secured her country the right to host this year's televised extravaganza.
Bookmakers are putting The Netherlands as this year's favourite, followed by Russia.
One bookmaker has placed Malta's Michela at sixth. Michela, Malta's young X Factor winner, had two successful rehearsals last week.
She commented on Facebook that the dance for her Chameleon entry is the 'latest craze' among Eurovision contest followers.
YouTube figures appeared to back her claim, with Malta having overtaken The Netherlands as the most viewed music video of 2019.
Michela will perform 11th in the second semi-final on Thursday. The final night will be on Saturday.
The largely European competition, which gifted to the world the Swedish supergroup ABBA, dates back to the 1950s and has widened over the years to include broadcasters who subscribe to the...
