Barbara Pravi, the celebrated French singer known for her deeply emotive performances and exceptional artistry, has recently found herself back at the center of the spotlight through her participation on HaKokhav haBa, the popular Israeli talent show known for launching singers to international fame. During the show, Pravi performed her hit song "Voilà," which originally garnered immense attention when she represented France at the Eurovision Song Contest.
Pravi's performance is not just about music; it's about the power of dreams and the ability to connect with one's roots. This theme resonates strongly with another rising star, Esther Guedj, who, at 28 years old, has experienced her own transformative relationship with her Jewish identity. Raised in Bordeaux by a Jewish mother and non-Jewish father, Esther's early experiences with her identity were complex and often fraught with confusion. "I always heard my mother tell my sisters and me we were Jewish, but those words felt like a hollow slogan," Esther recalled, describing her struggle to find meaning within her heritage.
Esther's connection to her Jewish roots began to flourish during the pandemic of 2020, when she took the courageous step of visiting Lourdes, seeking spirituality and perhaps finding herself through faith. An encounter at the synagogue during the Tichri festivals marked her first significant step back to her Jewish community. Over time, this led her to work as a waitress at the Beth ‘Habad restaurant in Bordeaux—a place she saw as the perfect opportunity to deepen her knowledge of Judaism.
Despite finding herself back on the path to embracing her Jewish background, life threw Esther some challenges. When the restaurant closed due to declining customers, Esther found herself at another crossroads, taking up work at a department store instead. But rather than severing ties with her Jewish exploration, the experience only solidified her desire to know more. The turning point came when she was offered another opportunity to visit Israel after her previous trip was canceled because of COVID-19. Those nine days spent exploring the Holy Land changed everything for Esther. "I had the feeling I was coming home. It's indescribable," she expressed, her eyes lighting up with the memory.
After her transformative trip to Israel, it was clear Esther had to act. This led her to make Aliyah—her immigration to Israel—during the summer of 2023, declaring with passion, "I feel right at home here, I feel completely myself." This decision was not just geographical; it was deeply personal, allowing her to reconnect with her Jewish identity which she had long sought.
Upon returning to Israel, Esther found herself once again pursuing her true passion—singing. Performing on HaKokhav haBa has granted her the opportunity to showcase the song "Voilà" to the world, echoing the sentiments of Barbara Pravi's original. During her audition, she expressed, "Israel is a country where you can dream big. With willpower, hard work, and faith, you can achieve anything you want." Her words embody the aspiration felt by many artists who are striving to pave their way on the global stage.
Barbara Pravi's success and Esther Guedj’s newfound direction represent the broader narrative of perseverance and hope, particularly within the arts. Other renowned figures such as Jean Reno, Dany Boon, Alice Belaïdi, and Jérôme Commandeur have also shared their own stories of determination and how they overcame moments of doubt. The conversations surrounding these influential personalities highlight the undeniable truth: talent can triumph over the odds if coupled with relentless ambition.
Connecting both stories, both artists exemplify how the re-discovery of one's roots can ignite immense passion, leading to spectacular artistic expression. Barbara’s influence echoes throughout young talents like Esther, showing how cultural identity and personal journeys are integral to the music fabric of today.
Whether through quirky talent shows or traditional venues, the arts community continues to thrive off of stories like those of Pravi and Guedj. Their journeys stand as powerful reminders of the importance of self-exploration, cultural identity, and, of course, the dream of sharing one’s voice with the world.
