Jessica Mauboy will soon become the first Australian to perform as a special guest at the Eurovision Song Contest. That’s right people. Today it was revealed that Darwin-born Jess will sing as part of the second semi-final interval act.
“Like so many Aussies, I have loved watching the show from my lounge room and now to be a part of one of the world’s biggest music shows is just incredible,” she said after Tuesday’s announcement. “I can’t wait to bring a little bit of Australia to the contest.”
For months DR, the Danish broadcaster, has been whispering that it wanted to recognise Australia’s love affair with the Eurovision Song Contest in a very public way. Australian network SBS has aired the contest for more than 30 years, and since we got our very own commentators Julia Zemiro and Sam Pang, it has exploded in popularity.
Most of us thought that DR’s plans would involve Kylie Minogue making a cameo, as she hasn’t being doing that much lately and this would have been a great boost for her album. We were totes wrong.
But we’re also totally happy. Jessica—Miss Mauboy if you’re nasty— is extremely well known Down Under. Let’s educate all you guys overseas…
GET TO KNOW JESSICA MAUBOY
Jessica (born August 4, 1989 in Darwin, Northern Territory) was the runner-up on the fourth season of Australian Idol in 2006. She brings a lot of flavor to the table. Her father is of Indonesian origin and her mother is of Indigenous Australian, Native American and English descent.
At the age of 14 she won the Telstra Road to Tamworth competition, with the grand prize being a recording contract with Sony BMG. She then recorded a country version of Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”. In the summer of 2006, Jessica auditioned for the fourth season of Australian Idol in Alice Springs. She sang the Whitney Houston hit “I Have Nothing” and her powerful vocals impressed all three judges—Mark Holden, Marcia Hines and Kyle Sandilands. Marcia stated that Mauboy was one of the most natually blessed singers she had ever come across. She made it through to the theatre rounds with a unanimous “yes” and performed at the Kimberley Moon Experience. She came first runner-up in the finale.
Let’s see Jessica in action!
SEMI-FINAL INTERVAL INFO
Jessica is currently writing a new song with Iian Kidron, which she will perform as a guest in the second semi-final at Eurovision. It will be an up-tempo song and she promises that “it [will] not only reflect [my] indigenous heritage but resonate with the European cultures competing”.
“The song speaks of ancient dreaming but I also wanted to convey a message that whatever country you represent, you have to bring that culture to the next generation.”
Performing in front of a television audience of more than 180 million is a great way to launch her European career.
SBS Eurovision hosts Julia Zemiro and Sam Pang are excited to travel with Jessica to Copenhagen. “I think Europeans will genuinely lose their minds when they see Jess perform,” Zemero said. “They’ll be thankful she isn’t competing that is for sure.”
The show’s supervising producer Mikkel Becch nearly wet himself with excitement. As he told Eurovision.tv: “She is incredibly good and a huge talent, and she is really, really excited about travelling to Denmark and standing on the big Eurovision stage.”
SBS is sending two lucky Australians along for the ride. They’re staging a competition and you can win. You can read more here.
What do you think of the Aussie solo artist, Jessica Mauboy? Were you expecting this? We would love to know your thoughts about this, so please do comment below.
Stay tuned to WiwiBloggs.com for the latest news on Eurovision 2014.
RELATED LINKS
- VISIT: Jessica Mauboys’s official Facebook page
- VISIT: Jessica Mauboy’s official website
- VISIT: Jessica Mauboy’s official Twitter
- VISIT: SBS Eurovision official website
Ramadan is an Albanian-Australian correspondent for WiwiBloggs.com. You can follow him on Twitter @ESCRamadan. You can also keep up-to-date with the latest Eurovision news and gossip by following the team on Twitter @wiwibloggs and by liking our Facebook page.
Photos: SBS © and Jessica Mauboy ©
I loved her in The Sapphires, if you haven’t seen it watch it 😉 .
Go Jess! Mind you – Australia has already been in Eurovision before lol Olivia Newton John and Gina G sang for the UK – and Johnny Logan spent his early years in Frankston. So – we have had some success already.
Why is everybody saying that Australia is from Asia?? Australia is from Oceania, isn’t it??? well, whatever I’m glad Australia is in someway in the Eurovision, they are the best Eurofans and i hope someday the Eurovision open their doors to other countries as guests and why not, even contesters (I can dream, let me be jejeje)
Wonderful! I am absolute fan of Jessica’s work and it’s kind of funny to see her all of a sudden in a context like this … the world needs to hear her voice. By the way Jessica’s “Let Me Be Me” of he debut album “Been Waiting” was co-written by UK 2009’s representative Jade Ewen. Small world …
Im pleased I love Jess M
PS: I’ve just watched the “extended interview”, and she seems so genuinely grateful and into it! It was a treat.
A really nice detail from the organisers, producers, etc. which will surely mean A LOT to Australians. If they have been this loyal and supportive of the ESC for that long, maybe they jolly well deserve it! Other than that, I was pleasantly moved by Thiefo’s “awesome to discover who’s going to “represent Australia” each year”… it was like, hey, I may be a little soft today, but this actually brought the proverbial spirit of (the original) ESC back down to my body. We’ve been too busy speculating, analysing and distrusting. Thank you DR, thank you all supportive people “Down… Read more »
dafuq australia… which side are you on? asia or europe? pick one, jeez.
@The Hawk:
The closest thing to Eurovision in Asia is the ABU TV/Radio Song Contest (two separate shows – and Australia does participate in that show). The good thing is that so far all the countries/territories that participate sing in their native languages, but I find the songs presented too boring. Even the Australian blog TV Tonight found the first show (2012) lacking something.
Whoops, wrote too quickly. Make that L’Australie.
I think the only answer can be – L’Australia, douze points!
Except we can’t compete…surprised Asia hasn’t tried doing Asiavision or something.
Jessica’s one of the more ‘down to earth’ personality type of pop-star, so it’d great that she’s performing at Eurovision and not some typical diva.
I love her! Her fan since her appearance on Australian Idol.
was hoping for gotye or someone as famous as him actually :/
Am checking out her music and loving it. 😀 What a great idea. Hopefully the indigenous representation doesn’t turn out to be gimmicky, but from the sounds of things, we’re in for a respectable treat. 😀 Exciting!
It made me incredibly happy to know Australia would be present in the contest, even if just as guests, they deserve it. I hope this becomes recurrent, would be kinda awesome to discover who’s going to “represent Australia” each year 😉
I didn’t know Jessica until know, but I’m hearing her and she’s great! Can’t wait to hear her new song in the semi final!
I like her!
If she was a contestat she would be in my top 5
Jessica Mauboy has all the talent in the world! I’m so thrilled she’s representing us! Go Australia!
Now if only we’re allowed to compete… 😉
i am glad it is jess mauboy, really do like her songs. if anything i think this could help jess career a lot.
I was actually expecting Delta Goodrem or Ricki-Lee….
Yes! Work that wind machine!
I would have loved Kylie going, but Jessica is also great!