Interview„Bye office work, I’m going to ESC!“: Tali talks identity, antisemitism and final adjustments

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Tageblatt: Tali, you’ve certainly gained a lot of new impressions over the past few weeks. How are you feeling now?

Tali: Physically, I’m doing well. I got a treadmill for myself, on which I’ve been trying to sing and run at the same time — just like Taylor Swift. Mentally, I’m also doing well. I feel a lot calmer. At first, I was a bit overwhelmed by all the emotions. But now I’m slowly starting to put everything in order, and I’m excited to tackle the next two to three months.

So the nervousness mainly rose directly after your victory at „Luxembourg Song Contest“ (LSC) in Esch?

Oh, yes! When I found out that I had won, I was shocked. I really didn’t expect it. The probability was 12 percent. You prepare and expect to lose, then you’re not sad and disappointed afterwards. I still can’t believe I’m here talking to you. I’m just trying to savor every moment because I know it’s not forever.

What have you been doing over the past few weeks?

Two weeks ago, I went to New York for five days to return my office key. I used to work there as a music teacher. But now it’s „Bye bye office work, I’m going to Eurovision!“. (laughs) I also cleared out my apartment in New York. Before that, I had a photo shoot and gave a couple of interviews. I also went to RTL to do a recap of the Luxembourg Song Contest with all the finalists. It was really nice to see everyone again. Afterwards, we went out to grab dinner and to do a karaoke night. And I had a lot of meetings about styling, lawyers and so on. So a lot of planning.

What can we expect from your song, your stage performance and your wardrobe in Malmö? Will there be changes?

Yes, everything will be changed, which is really exciting. The wardrobe will change, the staging too. The concept and core will stay the same, there will still be dancers, it will still be empowering, but otherwise it won’t be the same. I can’t really reveal much yet, but there will also be changes in the production of the actual song. We will re-release the song to make it even better. But the old version will remain.

What are your expectations and goals for the Eurovision Song Contest?

I really want Luxembourg to make it to the finals. But it’s going to be a really tough semi-final. The best performance will qualify and I’m hoping I will be one of them. If I reach the finals, I would of course be very happy. If we end up in the top 15 or even top 10, that would be amazing. I’m optimistic, but I’m a realist as well. I’ll just do my best and see what happens.

ESC is drawing closer. Does this put you under pressure?

I feel pressure all the time. After all, I’m representing a country that hasn’t taken part in the competition for 31 years. That’s a big deal. But I think the actual pressure will come when we land in Copenhagen. Only then, when we leave for Malmö and I see all the big stars like Slimane and Olly, then I will feel it.

In an interview with „Luxemburger Wort“, you mentioned that you will be collaborating with other LSC finalists. Any concrete plans regarding this?

Joel (Marques, editor’s note) and I have something planned. It’s really cool, I love his voice and I love him. He’s awesome. But we haven’t written the song yet. Life is so hectic right now with the Eurovision that we probably won’t start writing until summer.

Are you still in touch with the other LSC finalists?

Yes, with all of them. I’m planning on inviting them to dinner at my house. (laughs) We’re all really close. CHAiLD and I talk almost every day. LSC was a great experience. I’m hoping it will be the same in Malmö. Everyone has been so supportive and nice to me. That made it a lot easier.

Regardless of the ESC outcome, what can we expect from you in the future?

I’m about to sign with a label, which is really exciting. It’s the same label that released „Fighter“. We’re going to produce an EP and an album. If all goes well, I’ll start touring and releasing more music. I hope the ESC will help me with that so that I don’t have to go back to an office job. (laughs) Even though I like teaching, my goal is to continue making music. I’m also an actress. So hopefully I can use this momentum to enter the film and theater world.

Do you write your own songs?

Yes, I write every song on the EP. My label really believes in my skills as a songwriter. Even though I didn’t write „Fighter“ myself. I wish I did. (laughs) I love that song.

Does performing a song you didn’t write yourself make a difference to you?

Normally yes. But I’m very picky. Four songs were suggested to me for the LSC. I said no to all of them. Only then did I get „Fighter“. I only accept songs that I really feel connected to if I don’t write them myself. The same applies to theater and film. With anything I do, I have to connect to it and it has to touch me. Because if you do something you are not passionate about, people can feel that. And then it’s not worth the time.

So you stay true to yourself with your art …

Yes, even if there are different versions of me. At ESC, for example, I will be dancing. But normally I’m on the piano and my music is a bit more acoustic. It’s like Lady Gaga: she sings „Just Dance“, but then she plays „A Million Reasons“ on the piano. That’s so cool and I hope to be like that – having different versions of myself. But they’re all true to who I am.

As always, there are people who are not happy about the outcome of the Luxembourgish contest. Your victory led to many unpleasant reactions on social media, including antisemitic comments and people calling for a boycott. How do you deal with this?

Throughout my whole life, I have dealt with antisemitic comments. Just by being a minority, whether you’re Black, Jewish or Muslim, you’re going to get hate for it. I knew it was going to happen, even though it has nothing to do with Luxembourg. I knew that me being Jewish and half-Israeli was going to create chaos. So for me the hate was tough but expected. Even my friends and my family told me to be prepared.

That sounds very discouraging!

It’s sad because I’m here to do music and I’m here to impact people. I come from so many different backgrounds. I’m Luxembourgisch and Israeli and Peruvian. That’s who I am. I have tree nationalities in me, but my home is Luxembourg. And if people don’t understand that, they can’t deny what I feel.

A clear statement.

Well, yes. On the other side, I’m also kind of happy that I didn’t get this hate for my singing or my looks. (laughs) In general, people were very supportive and the hate is mainly directed towards this one thing I can’t even change. So all I can do is pity the people who are giving me hate. I’m here to make music and if you have an issue with me, don’t follow me, don’t believe in me. But I’m going to keep going, „because I’m a ‚Fighter‘“.

Would you describe yourself as a political person?

No, but I’m passionate about a few topics, such as feminism, the fight against antisemitism and especially the environment. If there is a way that I can use my art to help the environment, I will do it.

The war in Gaza: does it affect your family?

Yes, of course. I mean, we have lost a lot of people that we love. Every single person I know in Israel has lost someone that they love. Really, every single one. So it’s tricky. For me, it is very personal because I have family there. But I also have a friend in college from Gaza whose family is there – trapped in awful conditions. I just hate it. My heart goes out to everyone who is losing loved ones. No matter if you are from this side or that side. I don’t give a fuck. We should all just learn to love each other. Just go with empathy and kindness whenever you are talking to someone, even if they are from Israel or from wherever. At the end of the day, no one wants to go with their two-year-old down to the basement because there is a bomb above your head. I had to do that, many times. I was in war, probably three times. Everything that is going on is truly heartbreaking. I hate to read about that. That’s how I feel about the issue.

„Fighter“ has been interpreted in a political manner by many and placed into the Gaza conflict context. How do you feel about this?

That’s tricky. I got the song before the war started. So there is no way I would have ever made that connection. I already told you that I really wanted the song when I first heard it. I immediately thought that this is the song that I will hopefully sing on that big stage. Obviously the title is „Fighter“, it is pretty aggressive. But it had nothing to do with the geopolitical issue. That makes it so sad and not empowering. And I am trying to empower people. The song was always about my internal struggle as an actor and singer in New York.

The organizers claim the competition is apolitical. However, the past raises strong doubts about this statement. To what extent do you think the political situation in the Middle East will influence the competition for you?

I hope that people understand that I am here to represent Luxembourg. That is what my goal is. That is what I feel in my heart. With me being half Israeli, I might get hate, which you have already seen. But I am who I am, it is part of my identity. And I am proud to be Luxembourgish. I grew up here, and I found myself in this country, I know how to get around because I lived here for so many years. If people don’t understand that, and I have to keep proving that, it gets exhausting. At the end of the day, will it affect my result? Maybe. Nevertheless, I am going to sing, because that’s what I am here to do. I am going to do my best.