Kokhav Nolad
| Seasons | |
|---|---|
| Winners | |
| Notable alumni | |
Authority control databases
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
Omer Ura Adam | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 22, 1993 North Carolina, U.S. |
| Origin | Israel |
| Genres | Pop, Mizrahi music |
| Occupations | Singer |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 2009 – present |
Omer Adam (Hebrew: עומר אדם; born October 22, 1993) is an American-born Israeli singer whose music fuses elements of eastern Mizrahi music (Oriental-Middle Eastern) and Western Pop instrumentation. In 2023, Ynetnews called Adam "Israel's most famous singer".[1]
Omer Adam was born in North Carolina, U.S., to an Israeli family residing in the United States.[2][3] On his paternal side, His father Yaniv Adam is of Mountain Jewish (Kavkazi Jewish) descent, whereas his mother is of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. His father was a special forces officer in the Israel Defense Forces who served as deputy commander of the Shaldag Unit and Battalion 202 of the Paratroopers Brigade. His paternal grandfather Shmuel served as a senior commander in the Israel Border Police.[4] He is also related to General Yekutiel Adam and his son General Udi Adam. When Adam was three years old, the family returned to Israel and settled at moshav Mishmar HaShiv'a.[4] Adam grew up in Israel. During his mandatory national service in the Israel Defense Forces, he served in the Technology and Maintenance Corps.[5]
Adam participated in season 7 of the Kokhav Nolad Hebrew: כוכב נולד), a popular Idol series show in Israel until a blogger revealed that Adam was just 15 years and 7 months when he applied,[6][7] while the minimum age is 16. Adam withdrew from the competition mid-way through the season. Zvika Hadar, host of the show, responded by saying: "The important thing is that Omer realized his mistake, apologized and took the right decision. Our role is to provide equal admission to all contestants, we cannot compromise on this case. Many candidates who came for auditions were rejected because of their age."[8]
On June 15, 2011, he appeared in a live show attended by thousands in Caesarea Maritima, a venue on the Israeli coast, becoming the youngest artist to be featured as a main artist.[7][9][10]
Adam performed at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2017 Maccabiah Games on July 6, 2017.[11]
He had the biggest selling song in Israel in the 2017–18 period, measured between Rosh Hashana in successive years, with "Two Crazy People" (שני משוגעים) ahead of their Eurovision 2018 Winner performed by Netta Barzilai. Stav Beger was a key producer in both songs[12]
In 2019, Adam, considered the most popular recording artist in Israel, said that he turned down an offer to appear at that year's Eurovision contest since it would involve working on Shabbat (Jewish Sabbath). While Adam is not traditionally observant, he has made a point in his career of refusing to work on Shabbat.[13]
In November 2020, Adam joined 39 other Israeli artists to record Katan Aleinu, a charity single benefitting hospitals battling the COVID-19 pandemic.[14]
By 2023, Ynetnews called Adam "Israel's most famous singer". Adam moved from Israel to Dubai with his partner, Israeli model Yael Shelbia. Even in Dubai, the couple maintains a kosher diet.[1]
