Singing Filipino helper Rose Fostanes wins hearts on X Factor in Israel
Filipino caregiver living in downtrodden area of Tel Aviv is a favourite to win TV show, with her powerful voice making her a household name
A 47-year-old Filipino domestic helper has emerged as the newest star of Israeli television, putting a human face on the thousands of foreign workers in the country.
Viewers of Israel's popular reality shows have grown accustomed to successful candidates from various backgrounds, including black-clad ultra-Orthodox Jews, Ethiopian immigrants and a German convert to Judaism who became a celebrity chef.
But they've never seen someone like Rose Fostanes before.
The tiny woman with a booming voice has taken The X Factor Israel by storm and emerged as a national phenomenon. Known simply as "Rose", she is mobbed by fans wherever she goes.
"It's a big change in my life because before, nobody knew me. But now everybody in Israel knows my name. And it is very funny," she said.
Fostanes arrived six years ago to work as helper so, like millions of other Filipino workers around the world, she could send money back home to her family and her girlfriend.