She’s already won The X Factor, topped the Australian charts and competed at the ABU TV Song Festival in Macau.

And now 27-year-old Dami Im is headed to Eurovision 2016, after SBS finally confirmed her participation at a glamorous reveal at the iconic Sydney Opera House on Thursday.

Her song will be revealed by March 11.

Eurovision 2014 winner Conchita Wurst announced that the South-Korean-born beauty would participate for the land down under during her show From Vienna With Love with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

“I am so thrilled and honoured to be representing Australia at Eurovision this year in Stockholm,” Dami said. “I am really excited to be following in the footsteps of Guy Sebastian and Jessica Mauboy who have both graced the Eurovision stage before me.”

“I truly believe that the Australian public and Eurovision fans around the world are going to love the song I will be performing in Sweden. I cannot wait to showcase it to the world and represent Australia to the best of my ability!”

Dami had long been a favourite to represent Australia, but until yesterday Delta Goodrem seemed like the likely choice. Fan after fan cited “sources close to SBS” who reportedly claimed Delta was on her way to Stockholm. But after Delta denied her involvement and Australian media named Dami as SBS’s pick, all eyes turned to the 2013 winner of The X Factor Australia.

All about Dami Im

Dami has been on our radar since 2014, when she won our very first poll asking who should represent Australia were they to ever compete at Eurovision. She continued to be a fan favourite, again winning our most recent poll on Australia’s act for 2016.

Dami got her big break on series five of The X Factor Australia in 2013. Week after week, Dami wowed the judges and audience with her killer vocals, and harnessed her quirky style for some truly show-stopping performances.

She’s since had a series of hit singles in Australia, including “Alive”, “Gladiator” and “Super Love”. In 2014 represented Australia at the ABU TV Song Festival in Macau, China — essentially a less glamorous, non-competitive Asia-Pacific version of Eurovision.

Dami’s loyal fans — the Dami Army — have long been calling out for their idol to represent Australia at Eurovision and it looks like they got their wish!

What do you think? Can Dami Im beat Guy Sebastian’s record from last year? Let us know in the comments below!

READ MORE AUSTRALIA EUROVISION NEWS

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David Who
David Who
8 years ago

Moderating free speech is a risky business.

Darren
8 years ago

@marshpan
Of course we can dude! Pan-continental buddies it is! 🙂

Lawrence Gibb
Lawrence Gibb
8 years ago

I don’t really want to get a massive debate but my comments were not specific to Australia nor to this story. Over time, I have read comments on this blog which I consider to be inappropriate in tone, about appearance and nationality among others. The contest was in fact set up to showcase the new Eurovision link and that was 60 years ago; the charter has for 40 years allowed non european countries to he members; Morocco, Turkey, Israel being among the countries participating with borders outside of Europe. Australia’s hefty contribution is 30 years of broadcasting fees which frankly… Read more »

John Christian
John Christian
8 years ago

Very bad decision, Australia! Douwe Bob, Serhat, Justs, Barei, Iveta Mukuchyan, Dami Im. Six artists, one conclusion. They are all weak and are all con artists. The winner of the Eurovision Song Contest this year will not be taken by a con artist and for me, we need a strong candidate that can defeat all six! To the bashers and haters of the Dami Army, you are welcome because you spoke for truthful facts, all of you led to the theory that anyone who failed to repudiate and disavow his/her participation and listen to the conscience of the public broadcasters… Read more »

Jonas
Jonas
8 years ago

Well maybe I’m a little bit of a moron. We tend to lurk on comments sections like this, so watch out! 🙂 Aaaaaaaaaaaaaanyway, looking forward to hearing Dami’s song. I hope it’s not a winnner, though – because half the fun (for me) is picturing how the various countries would host the thing. That element is lost with Australia – and why should another country pay to host such a big extravaganza without even winning it? Also, if it’s true that Sony are paying SBS’s participation fees – what are the chances that they have the funds to even “co-host”… Read more »

Jonas
Jonas
8 years ago

Well maybe I’m a little bit of a moron. We tend to lurk on comments sections like this, so watch out! 🙂 Aaaaaaaaaaaaaanyway, looking forward to hearing Dami’s song. I hope it’s not a winnner, though – because half the fun (for me) is picturing how the various countries would host the thing. That element is lost with Australia – and why should another country pay to host such a big extravaganza without even winning it? Also, if it’s true that Sony are paying SBS’s participation fees – what are the chances that they have the funds to even “co-host”… Read more »

Marshpan
Marshpan
8 years ago

@Jonas: Well then, as long as you didn’t intend to offend anyone, then you’re forgiven. Agreed that ‘xenephobia’ is a loaded term, and I guess you might as well mess with the situation somehow… As for you being a moron, I guess I’ll have to believe you for now. 😉

Jonas
Jonas
8 years ago

Sorry if I offended, Marshpan. I wasn’t being entirely serious – but with provocative terms like “xenophobic” being bandied about I just couldn’t help myself. I guess you’ll just have to believe me when I say I am, in fact, not a moron.

Marshpan
Marshpan
8 years ago

Also, @Darren, you seem to be a cool guy. Any chance we could be Euro- err, cross-continental pals? xD

Marshpan
Marshpan
8 years ago

@Darren: I’m glad we agree on something. In general, the vast majority who oppose Australia’s participation shouldn’t be placed under the ‘xenophobic’ label, because most of them are concerned about the rules and abiding by them. However it’s that rather tiny and vocal minority who claim to be ‘protecting’ Eurovision whilst at the same time tarnishing its very message who should be, and not all of them display their attitudes as explicitly as you suggest… some things are just implied, unfortunately for us on the internet who value clarity and transparency over all things. Mind you, it’s only a tiny… Read more »

Darren
8 years ago

@Marshpan
Completely agree with your comment about people being able to voice opposition to an opinion, you are right, but these people shouldn’t be labelled as xenophobic, of course if they said they hated all Australians and that’s why they shouldn’t be in ESC, then yes, it would be xenophobic, but to disagree with the fact that Austraila are participating in what has been exclusively a European event certainly does not come under the xenophobic banner.

Marshpan
Marshpan
8 years ago

@Darren: While I’d be inclined to agree with you that being opposed to Australia’s participation in itself isn’t inherently xenophobic, it should be acknowledged that there’s a marked difference between the opposition that stems from geographical and semantic reasons, and those who want to claim that Eurovision and European culture is endangered and ‘ruined’ (to reference our good friend Skandar here) by the admittance of the Australian enemy. Of course, opinions do tend to be quite nuanced and complex, and there have evidently been many Eurofans, who, despite opposing our entry, have moved on from that gripe to accept that… Read more »

Laburnum
Laburnum
8 years ago

Dami Im I believe will win this year for Australia… that would shut up the partypoopers 😉

DutchGuy
DutchGuy
8 years ago

Some countries are in it to win it! (Australia, Sweden, Norway, Poland and maybe Russia/Azerbaijan), but most countries aren’t even thinking about trying to win…(Finland, Belarus, United Kingdom and Georgia for example). Can’t wait for Australia to reveal their song, previous year they dissapointed me so much, so this year is gonna be alot better.

Peter
Peter
8 years ago

Good job Australia! Cannot wait for the song.

MGR
MGR
8 years ago

ESC is not only about songs because background very often squeezes performances.

MGR
MGR
8 years ago

This is not true. Guy Sebastian had bad staging with very blunt background. Good entry for televoting must be more tight, but interesting voting may be better for ESC than good quality of entries. Besides, I’m sure that the level of performances will fall, because winners of national selections are getting worse and that’s why interesting voting is good solution in this place.

Loo
Loo
8 years ago

@ MGR You are so wrong. Australia did well in the televoting due to a GOOD song. Sure the hype helped them a little, but musically they had the best song of last year.

MGR
MGR
8 years ago

Australia also may have chance only through good position in jury voting, because good result in televoting last year was due only to sensational news, that Australia will only one time participated in Eurovision Song Contest. Now they will not have a chance in televoting, as it was in Junior Eurovision 2015.

MGR
MGR
8 years ago

There are two solutions:
1) Eastern states must be set later
2) Give the jury results during the televoting, so that viewers could improve them, as it is in Melodifestivalen. Thereby Latvia and Russia could fight with Sweden last year.

DR
DR
8 years ago

I don’t think there will be a huge outcry against Australia. People are more tolerate than most of you think. By going in to the Semis show they are no longer getting preferential treatment that some viewers may go against. If they send a worthy song I believe they will get a deserved place. If they do well, don’t be ignorant by saying they only did coz its Australia. Look at other peoples comments and polls and if everyone else liked the song, it deserved the place. If I hate a song which everyone else loves I still expect it… Read more »

MGR
MGR
8 years ago

But from what I read on the English Wikipedia that points from jury will be presented until after the viewers voting , which only more strengthen than eliminate the worst pathologies. Viewers will continue to support later performances, when the jury will vote on the Western countries without any consequences. EBU sets many of these countries later, so Eurovision Song Contest is becoming even worse pro-Western fake.

Denis
Denis
8 years ago

Didn’t Australia say they would have a big national final if they ever were to compete again? Or is it lack of time again? Seeing how this might be their final entry, a final would have been a nice way to go!

Fatima
Fatima
8 years ago

“Her song will be revealed by March 11.”
=
“Her song will be released once we know we know a bit about the opposition”

MrJoggy (BEL)
8 years ago

So happy for her 🙂

How can you guys say that she’s not going to win. We haven’t heard the song yet ! I’m sure she will be amazing on stage.

Charles
Charles
8 years ago

Nothing against her but If I have to compare her artistry and voice with Delta’s … sorry to all overraters but Delta has the maturity, depth and experience any great singer must have to really do well in this kind of competition … Sadly Dami Im does not give those vibes and feelings whatsoever .. she sounds like any other pop female singer today out there … and that is disappoiting when you don’t seem to stand out and have a musical identity of your own. Plus, judging by Gladiator and Super Love I don’t expect nothing new, fresh or… Read more »

Jonas
Jonas
8 years ago

Why should we be lectured to about xenophobia by Australians of all people?

Your attitude to refugees and immigrants is dreadful, and your last Prime Minister was an absolute disgrace. Not to mention your atrocious treatment of the indigenous population.

Disclaimer : I realize that I am making sweeping generalizations, and most of the Australians posting in this thread may very well be lovely people.

Loo
Loo
8 years ago

Good choice from the aussies! Even though I would have loved Delta. Australia might not win, but she can manage to get a good result.

Btw, for everyone who didn’t know, Frans has released a music video for his (soon to be winning) MF entry. It’s really brilliant!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4emC0VDQGz8

😀 😀 😀

sufle
sufle
8 years ago

I’m happy that she’s representing Australia! I didn’t think it would happen in all honesty. Very curious about the song – I’m personally hoping for a pop ballad. However I don’t understand why Australia is allowed to return. The EBU said it’d be a one-time thing but now it looks like Australia will be competing every year… They don’t have full EBU membership, which is a rule in order to participate every year (unless I’m wrong). Also, countries like Kazakhstan and Faroe Islands are fighting to join, and cannot, but the EBU is being favourtist towards Australia. China can’t even… Read more »

Darren
8 years ago

Guys it’s not xenophobic to be against Australia’s participation in the ESC, so stop playing that card here, it’s absolutely ludacris! People are entitled to their opinion, should they be censored for not having the same opinion as you? As long as their opinion isn’t causing offence, back the hell off! The problem isn’t with Australia as a nation or Australian people, the problem is with a country outside Europe, not even anyway close to Europe taking part in a European Song Contest, hence the name EUROvision and the fact that the contest was set up to bring EUROPE together… Read more »

jr esc nl
jr esc nl
8 years ago

@denis
Wich comments mock dami for being asian? I can’t find any… Only people who don’t like australia participating in general but nothing else.

Huh
Huh
8 years ago

Conchita looks like Jared Leto with long hair on that picture above.

Laburnum
Laburnum
8 years ago

No…..way…… 😀

Denis
Denis
8 years ago

Aren’t they any moderators on here? This comment section needs some severe moderating. She’s Asian, so what? Haven’t you learned anything from ESC about diversity and being different? And welcoming everyone? Being tolerant? Some of you have the most xenophobic comments ever. Australia is like Europe or USA, a melting pot of different backgrounds and cultures. We don’t all look the same, there isn’t such a thing as looking European or Australian. We had people of African and Asian descent in the contest before. What’s one more? As for her at least it’s a good serious choice, and not something… Read more »

Marshpan
Marshpan
8 years ago

@Lawrence Gibb: THANK YOU, for understanding my posts. You’ve certainly hit the nail on the head there! Also, thank you for bringing up the topic of xenophobia explicitly; you sir (or madam (who knows on the internet?)), are quite brave for mentioning something to bluntly when I just merely touched on the subject… not to mention that you’re right on so many levels! While I only talked about the issues regarding Australia, your point that the issue of xenophobia within Eurovision is much broader in scale is a very apt expression, and certainly, these are the challenges faced by new… Read more »

Jonas
Jonas
8 years ago

“They make both a hefty cultural and financial contribution to the contest ”

Every country participating pays a hefty fee. Is it true that Sony Music Germany paid all of SBS’s expenses last year?

Mei International
Mei International
8 years ago

Australia also seems to be taking it seriously and sending legit artists (with presumably good songs)…not Pirates of the Sea or cloth pirate ships…..

Colin
Colin
8 years ago

This woman is a great performer and I can’t wait to hear the song. I WANT it to be good so badly. I don’t want Australia to pass into finals just because they are new and I certainly don’t want to see them stay in the semi after everything they’ve been through to participate. So, I really hope they have a good entry which would earn the pass.

Ariso Light
Ariso Light
8 years ago

I was at the concert and it was awesome! 😀

Marshpan
Marshpan
8 years ago

@dutchie: I’m certainly aware, but that comment was not directed toward those who already accept that as fact, just to clarify. I’m only referring to some of the less savoury comments that I’ve seen so far from Twitter, etc. who might be less enthusiastic with our representative simply because she doesn’t fit the mould (i.e. ultra-conservatives within the ESC fandom)…. kind of like in an ‘Oh, you’re competing in Eurovision, but you’re not sending in someone whose family/culture is connected to Europe! See what Australia, an outsider, is doing to Eurovision, they’re making a mockery of it!’ kind of way…… Read more »

Lawrence Gibb
Lawrence Gibb
8 years ago

I agree that many of the comments on this blog and others display a distinct lack of tolerence. Ironic really given the trumpeting that Conchita`s win unleasehed about ESC leading the way in diversity and understanding. It also disappoints me that people jump to criticise before even hearing the entry. Australia is not the only recipient of this invective and as a regular reader of this blog would ask contributors to be mindful of their comments which are often highly personal in tone and not without a hint of xenophobia. When the newer countries joined in teh 1990`s and, heaven… Read more »

dutchie
dutchie
8 years ago

@mgr
That duet with Anouk is far from his best song… IMHO.

dutchie
dutchie
8 years ago

@marshpan
In case you didn’t know, we have people of Asian descent here in Europe as well 😉

Holland sent Linda Wagenmakers to Eurovision in 2000, I’m not exactly sure of her descent but she became famous through her leading role in Miss Saigon so we certainly saw her as Asian.

Mei International
Mei International
8 years ago

Good move! Dami is an amazing singer and performer and is the perfect mix of vocals, performance, camp and talent to keep Australia in the top 10! Great pick SBS

ct_greece
ct_greece
8 years ago

” the South-Korean-born beauty”

A prelude to bringing China to the contest? Or even South Korea, they are more western-oriented than China and very interested in promoting their pop music abroad.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
8 years ago

Still underwhelmed I am afraid.
For a guest nation, I think they should be trying a little harder.

Hollandique
8 years ago

Good to see some more diversity – South Korea for the first time at Euro I believe 🙂

Marshpan
Marshpan
8 years ago

I’m quite happy with Dami being chosen as our participating artist. All to do now is to choose a song that’s full of energy and authentic to Dami. @MarioMario: I agree wholeheartedly with you. The bookies right now aren’t in a stage where they can fully evaluate the probability of a song winning. And even then, bookies do get things wrong sometimes. Just take these songs with a grain of salt and just support the acts that you genuinely like! @EugeneESCUK: Of course, these sorts of controversies are foreseeable. As the second year of our participation, and as an Australian,… Read more »

MGR
MGR
8 years ago

Douwe Bob is good in duo with Anouk, but he may be much weaker solo.

Mark
Mark
8 years ago

Hopefully she has gotten better writers.