A Filipina caregiver who wowed Israelis with her unique singing style, capturing the top spot in the reality show X Factor, will be allowed to remain in the country and pursue a career as a crooner, Interior Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced on Monday.
Rose Fostanes, 47, who has been in Israel since 2007, is only permitted to work as a caregiver. Initially, Fostanes was denied permission to work as an artist, however a public outcry in her favor prompted Sa'ar to issue the permit.
Fostanes, 47, won Season 1 of Israel's X-Factor talent show this month.This is X-Factor's inaugural year in Israel. Eden Ben-Zaken took second place in the competition.Fostanes' winning performance was with the song My Way made famous by the late Frank Sinatra. Fostanes, who came to Israel four years ago, has been working for about 20 years across the Middle East. She had always wanted to be a professional singer and the X-Factor gave her a shot at her dream.