In just over three weeks, Australia will decide its participant for Eurovision 2022. The third edition of Eurovision — Australia Decides takes place on the Gold Coast on Feburary 26, 2022. Eleven acts will compete for the honour of representing Australia in Turin. Ten of the acts have already been unveiled. Now, the identity of the eleventh artist has been revealed. Melbourne’s own Erica Padilla has won the Eurovision TikTok Wildcard competition and also takes her place in the competition.
TikTok wildcard winner: Erica Padilla
Back in December, SBS and Blink TV — in partnership with TikTok — announced a national contest to find the eleventh artist for this year’s competition. Hopefuls from around the country made their bids using the hashtag #EurovisionAustralia, hoping to seize the coveted wildcard spot.
In the end, singer and songwriter Erica Padilla has emerged as the winner, after attracting millions of views from fans around the world with her submissions. Erica joins the competition and will compete against the likes of Eurovision 2017 alumnus Isaiah Firebrace and Australia Decides returnee Jaguar Jonze.
In a statement following the announcement, Erica Padilla said, “I feel like somebody needs to pinch me because I always hoped but never thought this could actually be possible! Eurovision has made some of the GREATS and to be chosen as the TikTok Wildcard gives me so much hope. From performing to my phone in my bedroom to performing at Eurovision — Australia Decides and potentially the biggest stage in the world this year in Italy — now that would be a dream come true.”
Dylan Lewis announced as green room host
The announcements from the team behind Eurovision — Australia Decides don’t stop there. Television and radio personality Dylan Lewis has also been announced as the competition’s first ever green room host. Lewis has been involved in the entertainment industry since the 90’s and recently appeared on the latest season of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!.
Lewis said, “I live for music. I write it, perform it, teach it, collect it, present it, talk about it and need it. Since hosting the Recovery music show back in the day, I’ve presented a pile of other music TV shows and done a pile of radio too…playing music. Yep. I bloody love music. So to get to be involved in the world’s most eclectic, colourful, diverse and magical music show is a dream!”
Lewis will oversee the green room while familiar faces Joel Creasey and Myf Warhurst will reprise their roles as hosts of the show.
Reigning queen Montaigne to perform as interval act
Eurovision fans will undoubtedly be excited to see Montaigne return to the Gold Coast stage. Montaigne won Eurovision — Australia Decides in February 2020 with her song “Don’t Break Me“. Her Eurovision journey was cut short following the cancellation of the 2020 contest but she was internally chosen to compete at Eurovision 2021 with the song “Technicolour“.
Montaigne was unfortunately unable to perform on stage in Rotterdam due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Performing virtually from the shores of Australia, she placed 14th in the first semi-final. Fans will finally have the opportunity to see Montaigne back on stage, with the reigning Australia Decides queen announced as an interval act for the show. She will also be joined by Eurovision 2019 televote winners KEiiNO, who were previously announced as guest performers.
Are you excited about Eurovision — Australia Decides 2022? Are you looking forward to seeing Montaigne back on stage? Can Erica Padilla compete against the star-studded lineup. Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Feel disappointed local Queensland artist Beks missed out on the tic tock wild card.. opportunity missed SBS
Her voice is amazing. My only issue is with this is while everyone has undoubtedly been practising for the night, she is chosen now and is severely behind. I wish her well though. It could be the best springboard to success for an emerging artist.
Meanwhile, we might get to see something like the performance Montaigne would have performed last year if she could come. That’s exciting.
I wonder if she has her own song to compete with or she will be assigned a song for the selection.
Probably not. It would take too long to produce so they would have to choose one with/for her.
She sounds super sweet, hoping for a good song