We might be a long way from Europe, but Australia has just made it through to the Grand Final of Eurovision 2017, after homegrown talent Isaiah Firebrace was voted through after performing in the competition’s first semi final.
In Kiev, Ukraine overnight, the 17-year-old singer performed Australia’s Eurovision song ‘Don’t Come East’, impressing the voting audience and juries to be granted one of the 10 first spots in this year’s Eurovision Grand Final. You can watch his semi final performance in full, below.
“Tonight I just wanted to deliver my best performance and really connect to the lyrics of my song and make Australia proud,” Firebrace says.
“Eurovision has been a dream come true for me, and I’m so happy I get to be on the stage again for the Grand Final. I am so thankful for all the support from fans over here and everyone back home.”
The other countries already through to this year’s Eurovision final are Moldova, Azerbaijan, Greece, Sweden, Portugal, Poland, Armenia, Cyprus and Belgium, who will join another 10 countries who’ll be voted through in Semi Final 2 on Friday, 12th May.
The final 20 countries will be joined by host country Ukraine and the ‘Big 5’ — United Kingdom, Spain, France, Germany and Italy — for the Grand Final, which airs on SBS from 5am on Sunday, 14th May and again at 7:30pm on the same day, and will be hosted by Myf Warhurst and Joel Creasey.
Last year’s Eurovision contest saw Ukraine take out top spot, with Australia’s Dami Im coming in second. The year before that, Guy Sebastian took out fifth place for Australia.
Watch Isaiah Firebrace’s semi final performance, below.
OMG GRAND FINAL !!! #Eurovision #SbsEurovision ????????? pic.twitter.com/qaeF5MOIZm
— Isaiah Firebrace (@isaiahofficial) May 9, 2017
