‘X Factor Australia’ 2016 latest news: Isaiah Firebrace drops self-titled album on Dec. 9, expresses desire to represent Australia in Eurovision 2017 [VIDEO]
Less than a month since he was declared the “X Factor Australia” 2016 winner, Isaiah Firebrace is set to release his self-titled debut album on Dec. 9.
The 17-year-old crooner from Moama in NSW took to Instagram to share about his album launch at Port of Echuca Wharf in Murray Esplanade in Victoria. Isaiah will be on hand to sign copies of his album, released under Sony Music Australia, on Friday, from 4:30 p.m. His much-awaited record includes his brand new single “It’s Gotta Be You” [watch below], as well as studio versions of the songs that he performed on “X Factor Australia.”
Late last month, Isaiah was crowned the winner of the hit reality competition, after winning the hearts of Australian voters. He bested three other finalists in the “X Factor Australia” 2016 grand finals: runner-up Davey Woder, followed by Vlado Saric and Amalia Foy. Since then, he’d been busy with various media interviews and participation in events, such as the ARIA Awards 2016.
[READ: "Isaiah Firebrace attends his first ARIA, reveals his carpool karaoke dream song"]
It seems that Isaiah’s on the right track to make his dreams come true. Recently, he shared another aspiration – to represent Australia at the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest in May next year. “When Jess (Mauboy) performed, I thought ‘Oh my God, Australian can do it, we’re allowed to be there now’,” he said, according to an article by news.com.au. “And then seeing what Guy (Sebastian) and Dami (Im) did was incredible. “It would definitely be something I would love to do, that would be the dream. And what if I won?”
In 2014, Jess sang “Sea of Flags” during the song competition’s second semi-final. “X Factor Australia” judge Guy, on the other hand, made history when he became the first-ever Australian contestant in Eurovision the following year. After performing “Tonight Again,” the first “Australian Idol” landed on the fifth spot in the grand finals.
The country’s highest achievement in the Eurovision Song Contest so far, however, happened this year. Dami was named runner-up, falling just a few points behind Ukraine’s representative, Jamala. Dami, who performed “Sound of Silence,” was considered to be the juries’ favourite. [READ: "2016 Eurovision Song Contest: Ukraine wins; runner-up Australian is juries’ favourite"]
It seems Isaiah wants to follow the footsteps of Dami, who won in the “X Factor Australia” Season 5. She made an appearance in this year’s edition when she mentored Guy’s acts, Chynna Taylor and Davey Foder. [READ: "Performances of Brentwood, Vlado Saric, Isaiah Firebrace fall flat; Dami Im mentors Guy Sebastian’s singers"]
Source: YouTube/The X Factor Australia