Ricki Lee Coulter Australia Eurovision 2017 Instagram Live

She’s the New Zealand born Australian pop star with over a decade’s worth of hits under her belt. And based off an Instagram live session on Thursday, Ricki-Lee Coulter is totally up for doing Eurovision.

Broadcasting to her 208,000 followers, the songstress fielded a series of questions from fans over the course of an hour. In between queries about her new music and upcoming TV appearances was one regarding our favourite song contest.

“Will you go to Eurovision next year?”, asked louis_narko.

A grin instantly appeared on the singer’s face. “Hmmm…”, she mulled, “that would be nice. That would be fun. That would be amazing”.

She then started to share an apparent love for the contest. “I’m a hu…” she began — we’re presuming she was going to say “huge fan”.

And suddenly all ambiguity was thrown out the window, as Ricki-Lee made an unequivocal statement of intent. “Let me at it is all I say. Let me at it!”.

Did you hear that SBS? Let her at it!

Who is Ricki-Lee?

Just like Guy Sebastian and Jessica Mauboy, Ricki-Lee first rose to fame on Australian Idol. Entering the second season in 2004, she quickly became a favourite to win. However, the nation was left in shock when she was eliminated in seventh place.

But her talent shone through and she was quickly snapped up by a major record label. Her breakout track “Hell No!” dropped in 2005, reaching number five in the charts. A string of hits followed, including “Can’t Touch It” which featured on the Sex And The City 2  soundtrack. She also enjoyed top ten success in Japan with “Do It Like That”.

As well as solo stardom, she briefly formed part of the Young Divas girl group. Despite two top ten singles, she quit after their first album and was replaced by Jessica Mauboy.

Best known for her dance-pop numbers, Ricki-Lee has recently moved towards a more soulful and stripped-back sound. Her vocals on her latest single “Not Too Late” prove that she’s much more than a disposable pop princess.

Outside of music, Ricki-Lee is a familiar face on television. She appeared as a mentor during the battle stages on the 2012 season of The Voice Australia and came third on Dancing With The Stars Australia in 2014.

Big name stars at Eurovision 2018

Ricki-Lee isn’t the first established act to throw her name into the Eurovision 2018 hat.

Immediately after Ireland’s semi-final elimination in Kyiv, noughties R&B singer Samantha Mumba declared that she would “LOVE” to represent the country.

Across the Irish Sea in Britain, a slew of acts are toying with the idea. Ex-The Voice coach Paloma Faith, synthpop duo Hurts, alternative artist Mary Epworth and X Factor runner-up Saara Aalto have all been making positive noises.

Down by the Mediterranean, one of Portugal’s biggest male performers Diogo Piçarra is composing — and possibly performing — an entry in their national final. Meanwhile in Greece, the chart-topping Eleni Foureira is bemoaning the national broadcaster’s reluctance to send her to the contest.

What do you think? Would Ricki-Lee be a good choice for Australia? Could she secure them yet another top ten finish? Let us know in the comments below.

Follow all of our Australia Eurovision 2018 news.

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Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago

Well 2018 might be Australia’s last invite to ESC anyhow, especially if Eurovision Asia really takes off!
Would these artists do Eurovision Asia? – maybe that’s the better question.

Spence
Spence
6 years ago

If there isn’t a national final I would rather see Casey Donovan especially after the rugby league World Cup opening ceremony performance.

Anouska
Anouska
6 years ago
Reply to  Spence

Ooh, yes! Casey would be A-MAAAAZ-ING!

umerkim
umerkim
6 years ago

i’d GAG , she slays the pack

Mark
Mark
6 years ago

Ricki Lee is a bogan and she would be a horrible representative for Australia.

I feel that SBS will choose another minority, perhaps Marlisa Punzalan.

oz
oz
6 years ago
Reply to  Mark

her mum’s of maori descent, there’s a minority 😛 anyway for ‘diversity’ sake there hasn’t been a white british australian on the esc stage yet until this year’s junior esc contestant but yeah sbs will probably go with the buzzfeed pc option someone not being white

Mark
Mark
6 years ago
Reply to  oz

SBS target audience is foreign language communities. Thus the minority artists.

patt0
patt0
6 years ago
Reply to  Mark

yeah cause guy sebastian and isaiah speak foreign languages

Azaad
Azaad
6 years ago
Reply to  oz

What’s wrong with that? Australia has a lot of wonderful artists of colour, or even non Anglo white ones. Jessica Mauboy (half indigenous, half Asian) or the Veronicas (Italian Australians)

Amor
Amor
6 years ago
Reply to  Mark

Why you gotta hate on bogans?

EscAU
EscAU
6 years ago

whooo yeah go ricki lee! she can blow everyone away with live vocals and a proper dance track

jawnbc
jawnbc
6 years ago

Pop star? *giggle*

Anouska
Anouska
6 years ago

I’d be quite happy with Ricki-Lee. I would prefer to see her come with a banger rather than a ballad though.

Stephen Podesta
Stephen Podesta
6 years ago

Ricki li like many have been considered, but because she is not with Sony Music whom have paid all the bills for there entrants to Eurovision she wont be going. SBS cant afford to pay for them. Unless Ricki li’s label are willing to foot the bill, then she wont even be considered. That’s why they Sony Music sent Isaiah firebrace last year to Eurovision, yes many have said they would like to go, but sony has made the decisions based on the needs of there artists and Firebrace was there choice, though not the best choice because he need… Read more »

Azaad
Azaad
6 years ago

To be fair, Isaiah and Guy weren’t damaged, it’s just that they’re only slightly more successful now.

I think part of the reason why Jessica hasn’t done a lot of music is because of her focus on acting.

Michael Adam
Michael Adam
6 years ago

I was actually hoping for an Australian national final!:)