Kate Miller-Heidke will represent Australia at Eurovision 2019. She will sing the dance pop-opera song “Zero Gravity”. She wrote the song following her battle and triumph over post-natal depression following the birth of her son.

Australian broadcaster SBS chose Kate through the country’s first ever national selection, Australia Decides. “Zero Gravity” won both the public and jury votes. With Australia coming last in the televote at Eurovision 2018, the nation is hoping that a national selection might reinvigorate its Eurovision efforts — and with “Zero Gravity”, it just might!

As we draw closer to Tel Aviv, we have compiled a list of 10 facts you need to know about Kate Miller-Heidke. So without further ado, let’s take a closer look.

1. She comes from Brisbane

Kate was born in Brisbane, Australia’s third largest city. Australia Decides was held at the Gold Coast, which is in the same state. Her achievement must have been even more meaningful winning so close to home.

2. She is a classically trained singer

Kate is not just any singer, but one that has the smarts! She completed a Bachelor of Music degree in Classical Voice from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music at Griffith University on full scholarship. She then completed a Master of Music degree at Queensland University of Technology. With so much knowledge behind her, it’s easy to see where her talent and vocal composure comes from.

3. She is an award winning singer-songwriter

Kate has released four LPs to date, achieving many certifications and three top tens (plus an #11) on the Australian album charts. She has also been nominated for countless awards, including the ARIAs. However, one of the most prestigious achievements was when she became the first Australian to win the the grand prize in the International Songwriting Competition, for the song “Caught in the Crowd”.

4. She crowdfunded one of her albums… but with a twist

Back in 2013, Kate became an independent artist. However, in order to fund the recording and promotion of her album O Vertigo!, Kate undertook a spot of crowdfunding. She came up with many creative ways to secure donations from fans, including singing “Happy Birthday” down the phone. The project was a success. Kate reached her target in three days, breaking crowdfunding records in the process.

5. Her husband is also a musician

Kate is married to Keir Nuttall. He performs and records with Kate’s band as well as with the progressive rock trio Transport. The husband/wife duo have a strong collaboration record, writing many award-winning songs together. The pair co-wrote “Zero Gravity”.

6. She has a son and he’s totes adorbs

Going through Kate’s Instagram, you might notice that she has a three-year-old son called Ernie. Super adorable and cute, he is sometimes featured in her snaps. You can tell that Kate loves her son very much. Judging by this video, it also looks like Ernie could follow in his mother’s footsteps.

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New band member.

A post shared by Kate Miller-Heidke (@katemillerheidke) on

7. She’s presented on children’s TV

And Kate’s love for children doesn’t stop there! She was a guest presenter on the children’s television show Play School. It is the longest running kids programme in Australia. With Kate being a part of this iconic show, we are sure she has inspired the next generation of Australians.

8. She has written musicals

Any Australian will know how iconic and popular the film Muriel’s Wedding is. Kate took the movie even further by turning it into a stage-musical.  She and Keir wrote the music and lyrics. The musical was originally shown in Sydney between 2017 and 2018 with generally positive reviews. It will tour around Australia this year. In 2018, the musical was nominated for and won several categories at the Helpmann Awards, which celebrate live performance arts in Australia.

9. She’s also an actress

She sings, presents, writes music and musicals — but that’s not all. Kate has done some acting too. Her most notable role was in the Australian miniseries The Divorce.  Described as a comedy opera, the plot involves a couple who are getting a divorce which impacts on the other characters. Kate played Caroline, a personal assistant to the focal couple.

10. Her humour is out of this world

Kate is real and down to earth. Even just looking through her Instagram, some of the captions are hilarious. When you meet and chat with her, she doesn’t take herself too seriously and is keen to have a laugh. So much so that this witty humour has made its way into her music. She was nominated for an ARIA award for Best Comedy Release for her ode to pubic hair — “I’m Growing A Beard Downstairs For Christmas”.

What do you think of Australia’s Eurovision 2019 chances? What was the most interesting fact about Kate to you? Let us know in the comments down below!

Read more Eurovision 2019 artist facts here.

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Cardinal Pell
Cardinal Pell
4 years ago

Is that a picture of her with her husband or with Tim Minchin? or does a large portion of Australian men look like Tim Minchin?

Kim
Kim
4 years ago

I’ve not heard I’m growing a beard downstairs for Xmas but I love it coming from Australia we get sick and tired of Xmas songs talking about snow – it’s usually flipping hot and humid for Xmas here so it’s nice to hear a song that isn’t about snow but I doubt we will hear it in the shopping malls but it’s going in my x mas song rotation.She has a great sense of humour . When asked after winning the national final if she was happy she got that high note her response was F**k yeah. Australia was so… Read more »

Mark
Mark
4 years ago
Reply to  Kim

Christmas Landfill is another one of hers that is worth adding to the holiday playlist.

Kim
Kim
4 years ago
Reply to  Mark

Cheers mate, just watched it live from the Woodford festival 2014/15 – added to the Xmas list

Ziv
Ziv
4 years ago

Don’t get me wrong, Australia is my number 1 this year, but I don’t want Australia to win, because if they win, ESC will not be hosted by the winning country next year. I want that tradition to go on, so I prefer other countries than Australia to win. Certainly, if Kate’s victory could mean Sydney 2020, I would love to see her win the whole thing.

Lisa
Lisa
4 years ago
Reply to  Ziv

Australia will never host the ESC even if it wins. There will be a deal with another ESC country to hold it in Europe. I wish everyone in Europe knew this!!!

Ziv
Ziv
4 years ago
Reply to  Lisa

Yes, I know that, that’s why I said ESC would not be hosted in Australia in the case of Kate’s victory. And unfortunately I am not from Europe, which I am unhappy about because I will have to stay up late (or wake up early) for watching Eurovision.

You
You
4 years ago

My mum’s favourite and mine! Love her and so want her to get the result she deserves (winning).

Female
Female
4 years ago

you guys should check her song with Passenger “Share Your Air” It is a totally beautiful song

Kez
Kez
4 years ago
Reply to  Female

They also created “the one you love” years prior to this too! I’d love for both Kate and Mike to do a whole album, they’re both my favorite artists.

James
James
4 years ago

Somehow she needs to start selling it to them… It seems other countries or artists are already doing it.. It’s and she is great..
But it seems the others are getting promoted more and they are not half as good as she is

Loin dici
4 years ago
Reply to  James

She will attend her first pre-party in Netherlands this Saturday, she’s starting to sell it to them. I wish she can attend more pre-parties, though, buuut we shouldn’t forgot about Ernie!

Polegend Godgarina
4 years ago

talent. acclaim. beauty. success. my number one favorite by far

Tznrer
Tznrer
4 years ago

Off topic but Croatia is sending full song version on Croatian language!

Lorenz
Lorenz
4 years ago

If they don’t reach top ten in the final im gonna stop watching esc :’D

Mari
Mari
4 years ago

My mom loves ”Zero gravity”, it’s her favourite 🙂

NickC
NickC
4 years ago

I am one of those few who think zero gravity is going straight to top 10.

James
James
4 years ago

Apparently, I’ve actually been listening to her before I knew who she was this year. A couple of songs of hers have charted in radio countdowns here in the Philippines, among them was “Ride This Feeling”.

All I could say is that she’s quite versatile.

Jo.
Jo.
4 years ago

OMG at #10 😀

Christopher
Christopher
4 years ago

I can’t find any of my Eurovision friends who like the song (and they aren’t Electric Fields fans either) It’s headed for non qualification even in that weak 1st semi.

Loin dici
4 years ago
Reply to  Christopher

I’m afraid it will still because of juries, but this has immediate impact. Has a chance to stand out.

Jo.
Jo.
4 years ago
Reply to  Christopher

It’s borderline and on the run.

Pok
Pok
4 years ago
Reply to  Christopher

Sheppard and Courtney Act’s fans are also in the hate group, sister.

Polegend Godgarina
4 years ago
Reply to  Christopher

lmao as IF….. zero gravity issa televote magnet considering how dramatic and divisive it is, & juries will love it bc…it’s….aussie

Loin dici
4 years ago

“Oh lovely pussy, oh pussy my love, what a beautiful pussy you are”

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAJAUAUAJAJAJAJAJAHAJAKAAHAHAHAHAHA

Raoul
Raoul
4 years ago

This really made me like her and even the song – which i couldn’t listen to up until now.

Colin
Colin
4 years ago

Talented, funny and with a really interesting song. Zero Gravity is certainly something else, dancing a fine line between high art and pop fun for masses. I like it!

Eurolover
Eurolover
4 years ago

Kate is extremely talented! She is my winner <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

ESCFan2009
ESCFan2009
4 years ago

I had fear before reading the comments, but yeey! So adorable positive! GO Kate! Ze-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-ro Gra-a-a-a-a-a-a-vity <3 <3

onyx topaz
onyx topaz
4 years ago

I just hope that people can appreciate the song and Kate for what it’s trying to be. I get why the song can be called as a “polarizing” one but I genuinely think this is one of the best songs this year with one of the best voices. I have faith that they’ll get the staging right 😀

Sabrina
Sabrina
4 years ago

“I’m Growing A Beard Downstairs For Christmas” is my new favorite holiday tune!

Teddy
Teddy
4 years ago

Honestly my least favorite song this year. She is talented, though.

Pok
Pok
4 years ago

That song is hilarious.

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
4 years ago

Off-topic, but: Can someone from the wiwi team tell me when you’re gonna start with the annual Wiwi Jury reviews of all 41 songs?

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
4 years ago
Reply to  Weißbrot

Hi. Chris Halpin said on YouTube that the Wiwi Jury videos were filmed over the weekend. So that part of it is already done. 🙂 I would predict that the results will be revealed either this weekend onwards or the weekend afterwards – however long it takes to type up all the background material, basically. (Usually it is in mid-April onwards.)

Skiwalko
4 years ago

I just saw a fever dream photo of Kate holding a teady bear with text below saying “what a beautiful pussy you are”, and I’m not sure if I regret it or not.

Joe
Joe
4 years ago

Found something to add to the Christmas playlist. Just in terms of general quality of her musical output, she’s my favorite artist this year.

onyx topaz
onyx topaz
4 years ago

She looks like a goddess and has one of the best voices of the competition this year, if not the best. Her song is so unique and she deserves to do well. I’d be sad if this didn’t succeed

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
4 years ago

So 100% awesome.

Aaron Luke
Aaron Luke
4 years ago

such a talent

esc stan
esc stan
4 years ago

Most charismatic person this year 🙂