The land Down Under is hoping to come out on top at Eurovision 2022. And now SBS has confirmed the first three acts for their national final Eurovision — Australia Decides 2022. They are: Eurovision 2017 alum Isaiah Firebrace, Australia Decides fan favourite Jaguar Jonze and Australian Idol alum PAULINI.
More than 700 songs were submitted to the Eurovision – Australia Decides song portal during the four-week entry period. Shortlisted songs are currently in the process of being matched with artists.
Australia Decides 2022: First three artists
Isaiah Firebrace
Isaiah took Australia to the Top 10 at Eurovision 2017 with his song “Don’t Come Easy”. The winner of the eighth season of X Factor, he’s a seasoned competitor used to the spotlight. Curiously, he’s singing a duet for this year’s national selection. Female talent on his management’s books include Jael Wena (JESC 2018) and Leea Nanos (Australia Decides 2018).
“I’m over the moon to be jumping onto the stage for Eurovision – Australia Decides 2022. When I first represented Australia at Eurovision in 2017, I was 17, it was my first time in Europe and I feel like everything was a blurry dream that went by so quickly – I’ve grown so much as a singer, a performer and as a person since then and I’ve definitely got unfinished business! I can’t tell you anything more except that I’m singing a duet with someone incredible and that we co-wrote the song. What I can tell you is that I cannot wait to share everything with you and that Eurovision – Australia Decides is going to be the biggest party on the Gold Coast. Until I can release the official Aus Decides duet, I’m keeping myself busy and releasing my own single “More Than Me” on November 12 – it’s going to be a very good Summer!”
Jaguar Jonze
You can’t define Jaguar Jonze — neé Deena Lynch. But if you tried you might mention that she’s a Taiwanese-Australian artist, singer, and multi-instrumentalist who served all kinds of amazing at Australia Decides 2020. Her performance of “Rabbit Hole” took her to sixth place and won her countless fans for its distinct vibe and her unbelievable stage presence.
“I am honoured and bubbling with excitement to be performing at Eurovision – Australia Decides again in 2022! The imagination, creativity and talent of the performances is always so inspirational, it’s such a special place to express yourself as a musician and an artist. My song is going to be a moment that celebrates our resilience and the little steps that lead to big change, as well as push my creative boundaries to another level. So much has happened since we were all together, and being back with the added strength of my Eurovision family and fanbase will make it a show worth waiting for. I can’t wait to see you on the Gold Coast!”
PAULINI
Paulini rose to fame during the first season of Australian Idol in 2003, finishing in fourth place behind eventual winner (and Australia’s first Eurovision competitor) Guy Sebastian. She landed a deal with Sony BMG and slayed the charts almost immediately. Her debut studio album One Determined Heart debuted at #1 on the ARIA Albums Chart. You’ll likely know the platinum single “Angel Eyes”, which spent three straight weeks at #1.
“I’m super excited to be part of Eurovision – Australia Decides, after all it’s been ages since any of us have really been able to perform to anyone other than our families. That also means it’s been a little while since I’ve been able to belt out any of the big notes I’m known for. But that is something the audience can definitely expect to hear in my new single which I’ll be performing at Eurovision – Australia Decides on the Gold Coast in 2022. Eurovision to me is like the Olympics for singers! It brings together so many countries and cultures— and while it’s a competition I see it as uniting much of the world through music.”
Jude York
Among the composers whose songs made the cut is Toowoomba based musician Jude York. SBS will reveal the lucky artist set to sing his song in coming months.
“To think of my song being shared on such a monumental platform is truly mind-blowing. I wrote it with the amazing Billy Stonecipher about staying hopeful that dreams can come true. And now to have this opportunity as a queer artist in regional Queensland, I’ve never had a better reason to believe in that message! I can’t wait for everybody to hear this!”
About Eurovision — Australia Decides 2022
SBS sent the following info in their press release:
In association with the Queensland Government via Tourism and Events Queensland, Major Events Gold Coast, Screen Queensland, APRA AMCOS, and official artist accommodation partner Dorsett Gold Coast, Eurovision – Australia Decides will be presented at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 February.
Hosted by comedian Joel Creasey and music buff Myf Warhurst, Eurovision – Australia Decides will showcase the best of Australian music and talent. Australians are encouraged to vote for their favourite artist and song to represent the nation on the world’s biggest stage. The winner will be revealed during the Live TV Final which will be broadcast exclusively on SBS and SBS On Demand on Saturday 26 February.
Be a part of history and see it live at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre. Tickets for the Jury Preview Show, Matinee Preview Show and Live TV Final are now on sale.
OPENING NIGHT SHOW Friday 25 February, 7.30pm AEST (Not televised – Tickets available)
Jury Vote
MATINEE SHOW Saturday 26 February, 1.00pm AEST (Not televised – Tickets available)
LIVE TV FINAL Saturday 26 February, 7.30pm AEST (Live and Exclusive TV Broadcast on SBS – Tickets available)
Public Vote and Winner Announced
To purchase tickets: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=EUROVISI22
For Queensland accommodation packages see: here
Eurovision – Australia Decides 2022 airs live and exclusively on SBS and SBS On Demand on Saturday 26 February.
Broadcast times across Australia:
NSW/VIC/TAS/ACT 8:30pm – 11:00pm AEDT
QLD 7:30pm – 10:00pm AEST
SA 8:00pm – 10:30pm ACDT
WA 5:30pm – 8:00pm AWST
NT 7:00pm – 9:30pm ACST
#Eurovision #AusDecides
I know its only 3 so far, but as an Australian if we want to make up for last year Jaguar Jones is a sure bet. If anyone has heard her latest singles she’s just going from strength to strength.
I just heard her, and I agree with you! She’d be a strong Australian contestant.
I really want Courtney Act to return. Fight for Love was such a guilty pleasure and we haven’t had a professional singing drag queen since Conchita!
Courtney can’t sing, though…
she can…
who could have guessed that a comment speaking positively about a drag queen would be downvoted to hell on this hellsite
Facts dont care about your feelings.
Well she seemed to give a good performance at The Waterhole in Erinsborough. Odd place where the barmaid, Sheila, only ever seems to have to serve members of her own family.
So Dami Im is out of the race?
These are only the first three artists revealed. We’ll see if she’s included in the rest. If she is, great, if not, oh well.
She said she was going to submit a song for Australia Decides 2021. Since that wasn’t possible, she released it. Paper Dragon was the intended song. I doubt she is going to be at Australia Decides unless she enters with a new song
IDK if anyone will have some options on this but I hope AViVA, Peking Duk, and Kira Divine would be in the line up.
Will be Electric Fields returning too? They deserved to win back in 2019 over that screaming lady
I’d like to see Stellar Perry, G-Nat!on, and Mitch Tambo!
Isaiah Firebrace! Yes!!
Isaiah has an amazing voice. He just needs the right song.
paulini sounds promising
Don’t Come Easy was a pretty bland and generic song so hopefully Isaiah comes back with something much stronger and more interesting. I also find it strange that we don’t know the identity of the singer with whom he’ll be singing with. Can’t think of any logical reason why.
Maybe the contracts aren’t finalised.
The problem I’ve had with Don’t Come Easy was that it didn’t really fit Isaiah very well. It felt like a song that should have been song by a guy ten to fifteen years older than Isaiah, who was only 17 at the time. It just wasn’t believable. I frequently compare this to Nobody But You for its similar composition (I’ve always wanted to see a mashup of both these songs), and if Cesar Sampson had sung Don’t Come Easy it would be more believable.
Are we taking wild guesses as to who Isaiah’s duet partner is?
I’ll start: FLO RIDA
Madonna. They’ll only rehearse after midnight, with no audience.
Dame Edna Everage
Rabbit Hole from Jaguar Jonze was my favourite. I like her current song. She would make a great Eurovision contested.
I like Paulini – she is a Bankstown girl after all.
Any of them so far sound good. They just need a good song.
I’d love to see Samantha Jade competing, Firestater is a real bop, if she could bring something like that, it would be wonderful.
plus, she is a longtime mate (“friend” in American English) of Guy Sebastian and she had performed in my home country Indonesia for the “X Factor Around the World” celebration show, representing Australia (there were Jahmene Douglas, America’s Melanie Amaro and our own Fatin as well), so I know a little bit how good she is. She could be the next Dami Im if she is given a suitable song.
Okay, here are my thoughts on the first three contestants: Isaiah: I’m actually surprised he’s returning, but I wish him luck. I think he’s grown from his imperfect Eurovision performance that the fandom seems to hold against him, and it would be interesting to see what he’s like as a singer five years later come 2022. So he’s planning on competing in a duet, I wonder who his partner will be. We’ll have to wait and see. Jaguar Jones: Her 2020 entry “Rabbit Hole” was an alternative standout and I would interested to see what she comes up with next.… Read more »
Little over a decade ago Paulini was in a girl group call the Young Divas. The group also included past ESC contestant Jessica Mauboy.
As much as I like the above choices I hope there are lots of fresh new faces too.
I hope we get some more Triple J artists
As much as I loved Don’t Come Easy (It was my favourite Australian Eurovision entry before they sent Technicolor), I don’t really dig the music style turn Isaiah took after Eurovision. But I can totally see many Eurovision fans digging it! It’s most likely gonna be a very modern and the most up-to-date pop song, probably upbeat.
i love jaguar jonze, super excited for her !
Okay, so I keep wondering whether Jaguar will be one of those who keeps returning to Eurovision, because… why not? I really liked Rabbit Hole, so I can’t wait to see what she brings next year. Isaiah back is interesting, and a duet sounds interesting… an exciting start to this year’s lineup, but I’m really exciting for the remaining 7 acts
I’m very happy that Jaguar Jonze will be back, I really appreciate her sound and the aesthetics behind her work. Don’t know much about Paulini, but I’m glad Isaiah will have a chance to show his growth as an artist and performer. It’s good to know that he was able to chanel positive things from his previous experience.
remember when Dami Im was gonna participate in 2021 haha… hope that’s still an option for 2022…
Maybe she still is… with Isaiah.
I was really excited to see her back until she released the song she was gonna compete with this year and now I couldn’t care less. She has an amazing voice but she can’t pick a song to save her life. Just like so many outstanding vocalists…
She already released the song she had planned to compete with.
the way all three of them are abt to eat omg. I already know jaguar’s gonna serve quality, paulini is a bona fide Aussie icon, and while Isaiah had a….vocal moment back in 2017, I feel like he could be amazing with a glow up (and it seems like he has had one)
Jaguar Jonze yes!
kudos to Isaiah for returning after this disaster of a perfomance. Manel navaro is next
Nobody is a flawless robot.
How about kudos to the best sport of all time? Jan Tiegen. He did not let a nul pointer stop him. Also I will never diss anyone who is on stage. Dread to think how I would fare will all eyes and lights on me.