Delta Goodrem's fourth-placed finish at the Eurovision Song Contest has dashed Australia's hopes of winning the competition for the first time, but the singer has won resounding praise for her performance in Vienna. The former Neighbours star performed her power ballad Eclipse at the grand final, which aired early on Sunday morning Australian time.
Goodrem, 41, stood at a sparkling golden piano, dancing across the keys as the song built to a crescendo. She then ascended on a platform rising from the instrument while sparklers and fog machines erupted behind her. Her performance was considered Australia's best chance of victory since Dami Im finished second in 2016.
However, she was unable to beat Bulgaria's Dara, whose party anthem Bangaranga secured the eastern European nation its first-ever Eurovision win. The result came after the public vote rewrote the leaderboard, pushing Israel to second and Romania into third, narrowly ahead of Australia.
Eurovision fan Leo Chant, who spent days making a diamante applique of Goodrem's costume for a broadcast party in Sydney's south, said the top-four finish was exceptional. 'She still did Australia proud. But you have to hand it to Bulgaria,' he said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also praised the singer, saying 'all Australians are proud of Delta'.
The result was Australia's second-best performance in the contest, behind Dami Im's runner-up finish in 2016. The event was overshadowed by controversy, with public broadcasters from five countries boycotting the competition in protest against Israel's participation.
