Guy Sebastian Is Australia’s First Entrant To Eurovision Song Contest
The first ever “Australian Idol” is now Australia’s first Eurovision Song Contest contestant. Guy Sebastian has been officially selected to represent the country in the 60th anniversary of the competition this 2015, but not everyone is happy about it.
Upon the announcement saying Australia is competing in the contest as a wildcard entry, speculations have risen as to who should represent the country for the prestigious honour. There were petitions to have Jessica Mauboy, Kylie Minogue and Sia among a few others to perform for Australia.
Sebastian’s name was mentioned by a few but allegedly not wanted by many. As it happened, the 33-year-old Malaysian-born Aussie is the country’s first entrant to the contest in Australia in May.
“It’s Eurovision, it’s huge and keeps growing here in Australia which is nice,” the “Battle Scars” hitmaker was quoted by ABC News as saying. “It’s not every day you get to perform in front of that sort of audience – 200 million – beats the local RSL.”
Regarding the song he will be performing, there’s nothing set yet. He can’t sing a track that has been released prior to September, but “luckily enough,” he had released his album “Madness” in November, so that gives him a few choices more.
Whatever it is, Sebastian said he wants the song to represent Australia as a nation and be “fun or be emotional” at the same time. “Either super fun or like a big ballad or something that showcases my voice,” he mused.
His selection is not without criticisms, though, with some online commenters objecting to it. So while there are staunch Sebastian fans or those who simply believe the crooner is the perfect choice, there are also those who want other non-pop singers who can better represent Australia in Eurovision.
Triple J has listed nine artists who would “better represent all things Down Under and even have a stronger chance of bringing the A-game level of glitz and grandiosity that’s expected of a Eurovision performer.” These artists are TISM, Empire of the Sun, Client Liaison, The Bears, The Presets, Sia, Gotye, TROLDHAUGEN and Tkay Maidza.
While Sebastian is the country’s first competing Eurovision entry, he isn’t the first Australian to sing at the annual song competition. Mauboy performed during interval in 2014 in a non-competing capacity.