It has been confirmed – Australia is back for Eurovision 2016, but this time they’re going to have to compete in a semi in order to make it to the final. Stakes have been raised! Speculation is raging on who Australia will send. We’ve seen various names mentioned – some old favourites, others newcomers. Now’s your chance to weigh in on who should represent Australia for the first time in the semi-finals. Read the profiles, then cast your vote in the wiwi poll!
5 Seconds of Summer
One of Australia’s most popular artists right now, 5 Seconds of Summer, or more affectionately known as 5SOS, have had charting success in Australia, the US and most of western Europe. The boys from Sydney have had more than 300 million views and over 2.2 million subscribers on YouTube.
Anja Nissen
Anja Nissen won the last series of the Australian TV show The Voice, and she subsequently signed to will.i.am’s record label (he was her coach). With her powerhouse vocals, she could surely bring a win in for Australia!
Anthony Callea
After coming second in the second series of Australian Idol, Anthony Callea launched a successful career as a recording artist, with five albums and three DVDs to his name. He’s also branched out into the world of musical theatre, and was vocal coach on the series Ultimate School Musical: Fame. His most recent album was a George Michael live tribute album from 2014.
Cody Simpson
Cody Simpson is an 18-year old singer from the Gold Coast. Cody has a HUGE following on social media, with over 7 million followers on Twitter. His boyish charm and popularity amongst the young ladies (and some boys) would surely translate to Europe.
Conrad Sewell
Another newcomer to the Australian music scene, Conrad Sewell has already seen local and international success, primarily in the form of his collaboration with Norwegian DJ Kygo on the track “Firestone” and his own single “Start Again”.
Courtney Act
Back in 2003, Courtney Act narrowly missed out on making the final 10 of Australian Idol, but she made enough of an impact on the show that she walked away with a record contract. A decade later, she made an even bigger impression on season six of RuPaul’s Drag Race, coming second-equal. Earlier this year Courtney released the EP Kaleidoscope.
Dami Im
Dami Im, a South-Korean-born Australian singer, won the fifth series of Australian X Factor. She signed a record deal with Sony Music Australia and became a national superstar. Dami is a favourite with wiwibloggs readers – she topped our 2014 poll, with 59% of y’all wanting her for Australia.
Delta Goodrem
Delta Goodrem started out as the girl next door on ‘Neighbours’ back in 2002, but has transformed into a Diva Down Under with her powerhouse vocals and flawless piano skills. Delta is one of Australia’s best-known vocalists and has been a coach on the Australian versions of The Voice and The Voice Kids and this year wrote Bella Paige’s JESC entry “My Girls”.
Gabriella Cilmi
Gabriella Cilmi is a rock-jazz artist from Melbourne. She had huge success in Australia, New Zealand and a lot of Europe with her debut song “Sweet About Me”. Gabriella hasn’t had a charted song since 2010, so a Eurovision-style comeback may be exactly what she needs to get herself back on the music scene.
Grace Sewell
Conrad Sewell’s younger sister made a name for herself earlier in the year with her attitude-laden remake of “You Don’t Own Me”, which hit No.1 in Australia and charted in New Zealand, Belgium and Slovakia.
Iggy Azalea
Australian rapper Iggy Azalea moved to the United States at 16 to try and make it big. Eight years on, she has made that dream a reality. She has reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100, and has collaborated with the likes of Ariana Grande, Jennifer Lopez and Rita Ora. I.G.G.Y has also been nominated for Grammy’s, VMA’s, Teen Choice Awards and American Music Awards. She so fancy.
Karise Eden
Karise Eden, a.k.a. the Australian Janis Joplin won the first season of the Australian version of The Voice. After releasing her first album, she took some time out for the birth of her son, but has moved on to promoting her new album Things I’ve Done.
Kylie & Dannii Minogue
One Minogue sister is good, but two is better. Kylie is the leading pop princess from down under, while her younger sister Dannii has made a name for herself as a talent show judge in both the UK and Australia. But solo Minogues are boring. It’s time for the stakes to be raised. The sisters will be performing together on the final of The X Factor UK – only the second time they’ve publicly duetted. The first time, 30 years ago, shows why they are unstoppable.
Marlisa
Marlisa Punzalan, more commonly known as just Marlisa, won the 2014 series of The X Factor Australia. With Filipino heritage, she’s another Australian star on the rise with some Asian persuasion. Despite only being 15 at the time, she topped our March poll with 45% of the vote. But the good news is she’s now 16 and eligible for Eurovision!
Ricki-Lee
New Zealand-born Ricki-Lee is best known for being a finalist in Australian Idol in 2004, where she was shockingly eliminated in the top-seven episode after being a favourite the entire season. This incident led her to become a successful solo artist, with her song “Can’t Touch It” featuring on the soundtrack to the Sex and the City movie.
Samantha Jade
Singer Samantha Jade has walked through the fire and come out on top. She was dropped from her original record label, and then looked to Australian talent show The X Factor as her last option. She took out the whole competition, and proceeded to become Australia’s sweetheart.
Sia
Sia is arguably Australia’s most famous singer-songwriter right now. Sia has written songs for the likes of Rihanna, Kesha, Katy Perry, Britney Spears, Beyoncé and Celine Dion. When Sia released the clip for “Chandelier” it was OVER. The song was an immediate success, with assistance from Dance Moms star, Maddie Ziegler. Sia then followed up with other hits such as “Elastic Heart” and her newest single, “Alive”.
Tina Arena
Is there anything Tina Arena can’t do? A showbiz pro since her childhood start in the ’70s, she’s been working solidly and has released 11 studio albums, including two French-language records (she can also sing in Italian and Spanish). Her latest album, Eleven, was released in October.
Troye Sivan
Recent Australian/South African talent comes in the form of Troye Sivan. Known primarily for being an incredibly popular YouTube celebrity, he is now making a name for himself with his music. His most recent EP Wild charted very well globally, cracking the top five in Australia, the USA, the UK, and Ireland.
The Veronicas
The Veronicas are a set of twins from Brisbane. Their actual names are Lisa and Jess Origliasso. Their debut album The Secret Life of… had success in Australia and throughout Europe and the US. All 12 singles they have released have reached the top 50 in Australia. Their most recent singles, “You Ruin Me” and “If You Love Someone” have reached the top five in Australia.
Who should represent Australia in Stockholm?
You can vote for as many acts as you like, but you can only vote once.
[polldaddy poll=9184254]Follow all of our Australia Eurovision news here
Thanks to Josh Salmon for contributing many of the profiles.
DAMI IM please.
Dami has a huge advantage in that she appeals to fans of all age brackets and in a short time has already amassed an international following. The ideal formula for this occasion.
Dami all the way.. Beauty, power and Grace. Her voice has stopped the nation in X Factor 2013. Full Standing ovation almost every week. Her voice just magical.
Dami no one better than her, is versatile in all sing sound has a powerful beautiful warm voice has everything
Dami I’m of course. Her voice just magical. Dami is the one and only . Go Dami….
Dami Im please. Her journey of music career tells us all, she got a talent & her performances is amazing, brilliant. Australia ‘s best choice. I do believe she make us proud. Thanks you so much.
Dami is the best choice for me. She needs a brilliant song and with her powerhouse vocals, she will definitely slay the Eurovision stage.
Troye Sivan please
Troye, Troye, Troye
he have
Hilltop hoods!!
Dani Im, please
Dami Im is my choice!!! She will wow peoples’ hearts with her voice. She will represent for sure!!! Cmon! We need new blood and talent!!
Dami Im
Dami Im, a tall Asian woman usually costumed in some dazzling outfit or other, wanders out on stage to belt out the sort of ballad that made her one of the most dominant reality show winners in Australian television history.
Jessica Mauboy, JTR, Guy Sebastian, and Gina G aren’t on the poll…. oh well, nadiyan naman si Marlisa haha
I think Samantha Jade would be perfect.
I hope my vote counts even though I’m from Canada. I definitely hope Australia send Dami Im because she is fresh, have been on international stage, her voice is broad & ranged, powerful but yet silky smooth. So ya, I voted for Dami Im.
Dami Im is the best choice for Stockholm Eurovision 2016. She’s freshly new but was proven how Incredible this lady . Her performanced in any events was mesmerizing because of her powerful voice & outstanding above the rest
Watched the videos and scrolled the list. DAMI IM is top of my list. She is the one! If not her then Delta or Anja. They have the voice too.
No Jessica Mauboy? She should have been considered for this discussion. Remember she did perform in the interval act in Denmark (sf2 I believe it was?)
Dami Im is the best choice to represent Australia at Eurovision Song Contest STOCKHOLM 2016
Hmmm….Who should I vote? The famous and established ones or new faces? i think Australia has many new fresh and talented artists. Why don’t we send a new face who has the feature, the powerhouse, and has some international stage experience to surprise the world? Like Dami Im, Ricki-lee or Delta?
For me Delta = Australian ultimate success, she’s basically the perfect follow-up after Guy’s great debut this year, and besides she’s the new queen of Australian pop music, also, remember her involvment with Bella’s JESC song. So for me, it’s likely to consider her as a top choice for the next representative for Australia.
Possible alternates are (in my opinion) The Veronicas, Samantha Jade or Dami Im.
Best luck to Australia next year!
Only Dami I’m fits the Bill, Dami is different than the usual pop rubbish out there. Dami I’m can sing any Genre of song she is so versatile. Dami knows what its like to win in Contests, winning 50-60% of the vote every week, with standing ovations every week on xfactor 2013. Dami ims vocals are incredible, she recently performed on the Korean TV King of the mask (singing never ending story” go see you tube). where her vocals were incredible. Dami I’m is beautiful inside and outside and has incredible stage presence. Dami is fresh and has a unique… Read more »
Sia ft. Iggy Azalea
The Veronicas or nothing!
samantha jade can’t sing, she is a kylie wannabe LMAO
let it be known that Dami Im participated in the ABU Song Festival (*cough* where Australia belongs *cough) so she probably has the most experience in the international-song-competition field
l really doubt any of these people are going to show up at the ESC
an Australian NF would be hilarious to watch if they have enough time to do it
PLEASE GOD NOT IGGY I mean her career is in need of some desperate PR improvements and breaking into the ESC market could provide a good platform for her in Europe but PLEASE NO As much as Sia would be epic, she is such a introverted and reticent person I can’t imagine her doing something like ESC So realistically I could see their selection being Dami Im, Samantha Jade or Delta Goodrem. All would be worthy candidates and probably bring both an amazing song and performance. Could Delta writing Bella Paige’s song for JESC be her foot in the door… Read more »
Troye for Stockholm!
SIA <33333333333333333333333
Please let it be dami im! <3
Courtney Act has unique voice and style. She is a good singer and performer. She could take Australia to the top,again.
I really don’t understand what all the fuss about Dami is about. She has an average good voice and average pop songs.
Samantha and Delta get my vote, although I’m really not fond of Australia participating.
If Australia is to have a fighting chance to win the competition then the obvious choice has to be Dami Im.. Her singing is awesome and her stage performance is unique and memorable and not run of the mill type as most singers tend to do.
We need someone with a voice that can deliver – preferably someone relatively new who would provide that WOW factor. Dami Im ticks all the boxes with her phenomenal voice that would amaze on any song she is given. She is a classy, elegant and gracious young woman who would impress – Dami Im is definitely a worthy candidate if Australia wants the World to sit up and take notice.
*him 😉
Troye Sivan must be the representative of Australia 2016 ! I love it ! :-*
hahaha – WUUPS – I am with you! Love to see it happen!
Looks like Dami Im IS the people’s choice. 🙂
Be warned: When last I read, Iggy’s fortunes have taken a sharp turn for the worse. I wouldn’t take a chance with her today if I were them.
Dami im is the only and best choice for Eurovision 2016, she is fresh, Gorgeous and the most talented singer Australia has produced, there is no contest.
Dami Im was the most popular choice last time and rightly so as a new young Aus singer with an amazing voice, but Guy was parachuted in by Sony and did an OK job. Australia needs to present new young singers for this as just rolling up with a well known established artist would not be impressive for the European audiences and definitely not deliver any chance of winning. So Dami Im is the best singer if we actually want to have a chance at winning!
they are not as good as Sugar Army.
Dani Im. No polls.
dami4euro16
dami im ! she can do the dami thing and get everyone in love with her, BTW dami’s 3rd album is going to be released next year by SMA! 😀 waitingggggg
I LOVE Sia but I have a hard time believing that Sia would be interested in Eurovision, at least considering where her career is heading today.
But that doesn’t matter because my absolute favorite of the above-mentioned alternatives is “The Veronicas”. I think they could outshine Guy Sebastian (though I really liked his entry too) and their song “You ruin me” is an absolute masterpiece. I have probably listened to it more than 100 times and it still gives me goosebumps. Their other songs are also great.
Sia is pretty overrated now, she was popular amongst the indie crowd here in Australia about 5 years or so ago, now her stuff is basically Americanised. She’s still amazing though. I love The Veronicas and Ricki-Lee as well as Samantha and Dami, I think they’re our best chance. The Minogues are pretty overrated too, just look up Dannii’s songs :S
The answer to your question is: nobody.