Delta Goodrem’s fourth-placed Eurovision finish has dashed Australia’s hopes of winning the world’s biggest song contest for the first time but won resounding praise for the “iconic” singer. The former Neighbours star dazzled at the grand final of the Eurovision song contest in Vienna, Austria, early on Sunday morning Australian time.
Performing her power ballad Eclipse, Goodrem had been considered one of Australia’s best chances for the top prize since Dami Im finished second in 2016. While voters loved her, she couldn’t beat the Bulgarian singer Dara, whose party anthem Bangaranga took out the 70th edition of the contest in the first win for the eastern European nation.
Goodrem thanked those who supported her along the Eurovision journey after the release of the results. “Representing Australia on the Eurovision stage and being part of this incredible community has been unforgettable,” the 41-year-old singer-songwriter said. “I’m so grateful for all the love and support from home and around the world. It has carried me every step of the way.”
Performing eighth out of 25 acts, Goodrem stood at a sparkling, golden piano, dancing across the keys and belting out the lyrics, “One touch, one kiss, all my life for a night life this.” As the song rose to a crescendo, she ascended to a platform that rose from the instrument while sparklers and fog machines unleashed behind her.
The result came as a surprise after bookies’ pick Finland faded to sixth, while Australia had been positioned as the second favourite. It was the nation’s second-best performance in Eurovision behind Dami Im’s Sound of Silence, which finished runner-up to Ukraine’s Jamala in Stockholm in 2016.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, also praised the star’s performance, saying he had watched the coverage as the votes rolled in. “Delta Goodrem is someone who can be very, very proud of her efforts,” he told reporters on Sunday. “And all Australians are proud of Delta.”
