Israeli TV presenter Assi Azar donates ‘Eurovision’ salary to LGBTQ charity
The TV personality co-hosted this year's 'Eurovision Song Contest'
By Steve Brown
Words: Steve Brown
Israeli TV presenter Assi Azar has donated his money for presenting Eurovision to an LGBTQ charity.
Born in the city of Holon just south of Tel Aviv, 39-year-old Assi was just rising to public prominence when he came out back in 2005, charting his personal experience of coming out in documentary film Mom and Dad: I Have Something to Tell You.
This year, Assi took on co-presenting duties for Eurovision Song Contest where the Netherlands took the crown – and the UK came at the very bottom!
And now, Assi has revealed he will be giving his £23,000 salary to Israeli Gay Youth (IGY) – a charity that helps LGBTQ youth who are struggling with their sexuality.
He said: “To host the Eurovision for money is definitely something that I won’t do.
“It’s for my soul and to represent the country with respect. If you can do something good with the salary that they pay, why not?”
This year, the legend that is Madonna took to the stage in Tel Aviv despite people calling for the Queen of Pop to boycott the annual singing competition.