2016 Eurovision Song Contest: Ukraine wins; runner-up Australian is juries’ favourite [VIDEO]

After an intense competition for the ultimate prize, Ukraine’s Jamala was named the winner of the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest, held at Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden.

Crimean Tatar singer Susana Jamaladinova, known as Jamala, bested 25 other performers from different European countries and Australia for this year’s competition. With her song “1944,” the 32-year-old singer, composer and actor took the top spot after garnering 534 points from the juries and the public televoting, according to the Eurovision Song Contest web site.

Australia’s entrant, Dami Im, came in second place with 511 points. Dami, who performed “Sound of Silence,” was considered to be the juries’ favourite. Russia followed suit with 491 points, represented by Sergey Lazarev who sung “You Are The Only One.” In addition to the awarding of winners, the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest grand finals featured Justin Timberlake as a special guest. He performed two songs, including an exclusive live performance of his latest song “Can't Stop This Feeling.”

Jamala is known for her music that has tones of soul, jazz, funk, folk and electronic. She rose to fame after joining The New Wave in 2009. The song “1944” was her own composition. In a press conference after the grand finals, she said her secret to winning the Eurovision Song Contest. “I don't have the words to describe my feelings in English. It was amazing. It was crazy. I was sure that, if you sing about truth, it can really touch people. And I was right,” she revealed.

She also thanked Stockholm, the organisers of the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest and those who voted for her. “It is an honour, and a big responsibility that you voted for me. Thank you!” Jamala also admitted that if she was given the opportunity to vote, she would have voted for Australia. “Australia competed with a wonderful and strong song. If I had voted tonight, I had voted for Australia,” she said.

Dami’s second place at the grand finals is the highest achievement of Australia since it officially competed in 2015. Last year, Guy Sebastian – the first "Australian Idol" winner – made history when he became the first-ever Australian contestant in Eurovision. After performing “Tonight Again” Sebastian landed on the fifth spot in the grand finals.

The “X Factor Australia” Season 5 winner wowed the juries and the audience with her powerful ballad “Sound of Silence.” In her Instagram account, Dami expressed her sentiments for being part of the contest this year. She wrote, “Thank you Europe for inviting Australia to be a part of something so amazing! Thank you for all those that voted! Coming 2nd in Eurovision is by far the MOST amazing achievement for me and for Australia and I'll never forget the last two weeks. This is only the beginning! I can't wait to bring more music to you Europe, watch out!!! ”

Meanwhile, Australia’s favourite among the Eurovision Song Contest competitors this year is Belgium, SBS reports. Similar to other participating countries, Australia cannot vote for its own entrant. Belgium’s Laura Tesoro gained the highest point in Australia with her song “What's the Pressure.”

Source: YouTube/Eurovision Song Contest