As Tone Deaf reported last month, for the first time ever, Australia will compete in the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest. Again, no, we didn’t misspell ‘Austria’. Australia has actually been invited to compete at Eurovision 2015, which is slated for this May.
Following the announcement, many immediately started wondering who Australia would send to represent us at Europe’s biggest song contest. Everyone from TISM, to 5 Seconds of Summer became the subject of speculation, but as Fairfax reports, officials have finally landed on a decision.
It’s Guy Sebastian, go figure. The Australian Idol winner will be representing Australia at the 60th Eurovision Song Contest on 23rd May in Vienna, Austria. The announcement was reportedly made during an exclusive event at the Sydney Opera House on Thursday morning, attended by a packed media contingent.
The singer described being Australia’s first Eurovision entrant as a “dream opportunity”. “I was pumped [to find out]… You never know what you’re going to get at Eurovision. It beats the local RSL,” a clearly thrilled Sebastian said.
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As for what song he’s planning on choosing in order to showcase the land Down Under to Europe, the formerly afro’d pop sensation has decided he wants the performance to be “epic” and that the song will be “either super fun or a big ballad that showcases my voice”. The song choice will apparently be announced before 16th March.
The former Idol winner has some experience with global song contests, having finished seventh at the 2003 World Idol final, and has performed for many esteemed and high-profile guests, including Pope Bendict XVI, Queen Elizabeth II, and perhaps most impressive of all, Oprah Winfrey.
“I haven’t been been voted on in years though. Over the last 12 years I’ve had a lot more experience… I’ll be drawing on that to hopefully not screw it up,” he said. Maybe he can get a few tips from fellow Aussie Jessica Mauboy, who gave a fairly lukewarm non-competition performance at last year’s event.
