In 1998, is it still necessary
to present Dana International? The first time I heard Dana was in January 1994, when in
Israel I bought her first album. My first impression was that it was a lot of fun and that
there were a few great songs to listen to when I would do my running. To tell you the
truth, I also thought that Dana looked a little vulgar... The funny thing is that at no
time I had the faintest idea that she was a transgender (actually at the time of her first
album, she was still a man). When she released her second album, Dana was a woman and was
still singing great dance songs. In 1995, she competed to represent Israel at the
Eurovision Song Contest with a song called "Layla Tov Europa" (Goodnight
Europe), which was a mediocre song. She lost and Liora went
instead with the song "Amen". In the meantime, Dana released two other
albums and this year did represent Israel at the Eurovision with the song "Diva"...and
won!!! At the same time, a compilation (containing "Diva") was put on
the shelves of all Europe. Dana, already a huge star in Israel is becoming a European
phenomenon and maybe an American hit! I must say that Dana worked a lot to be where she is
now and that she had to fight a lot of intolerance to fulfill her dreams. That only should
call for respect for the diva!!! Anyway, if you are bored at a party, play one of Dana's
dance album: success guaranteed!!! |