Former Australian Idol winner Guy Sebastian has been chosen to represent his country when they enter the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time this year.
The 33-year-old soul singer won Australia’s first series of the TV talent show in 2003 and has gone on to have eight top 10 albums as well as appearing as a judge on the Aussie version of The X Factor in between 2010 and 2012.
It was announced that Guy will be flying to Vienna to compete in the contest in May during a ceremony at the Sydney Opera House.
Guy celebrated his selection by tweeting a picture of himself as last year’s winner, Austrian drag queen Conchita Wurst.
Yay :-) #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/3Oe4mrkrTK
— Guy Sebastian (@GuySebastian) March 5, 2015
He told Australia’s ABC news he was 'pumped' to be performing at the competition.
“It’s Eurovision, it’s huge and keeps growing here in Australia which is nice. It’s not every day you get to perform in front of that sort of audience – 200 million – beats the local RSL.”
Guy revealed he has not yet chosen the song he will sing, but may write something specially, as he wants it to represent his home country.
He said: “I’m not sure about the song yet. That is still being worked out. I know that I can’t sing something that has been released prior to September, so it doesn’t leave me with a lot.
Guy will represent Australia for the very first time in the Eurovision Song Contest (Dan Steinberg/Invision)
“Luckily enough I released my album in November… which narrows it down a little bit or I could write something in the next few days.
“I want it to represent us as a nation well, but also just be fun or be emotional. Either super fun or like a big ballad or something that showcases my voice.”
Eurovision has always been hugely popular in Australia, and Aussies have taken part before, by representing other countries. Olivia Newton John sang for the UK in 1974, as well as Gina G in 1996. Jane Comerford represented Germany in 2006.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk3Oe-2LmLk
