Dami ImFollowing in the footsteps of Guy Sebastian, Australia's Dami Im has gotten through to the Eurovision Grand Final following a well-received performance of Sound Of Silence.
Im took to the stage for the second semi-final last night and scored some huge cheers from the crowd, and as News Limited reports, it has tipped Im's odds of winning at the bookies rising to second-favourite, to Russia.
Im is one of 26 finalists to get through to this Sunday's Grand Final in Stockholm, joining Austria, Belgium, Spain, Sweden, France and more.
Unlike Sebastian who was given his place at Eurovision last year as a gesture of goodwill towards Australia, Im has faced a bit of controversy to be in the competition this year — last month, reports emerged that Im's song may breach Eurovision rules with its apparent reference to Apple video-calling app, FaceTime. Im and Eurovision later confirmed that the official lyric referred to a lower case "face time".
Following that, just this week host of the UK Eurovision broadcast Graham Norton told The Sun that a second Australian entry in the European contest is "kind of stupid".
"I just do not understand why they are in the Eurovision Song Contest. Get rid of Australia. I know some countries aren’t technically in Europe but, come on — Australia is on the other side of world.
"Last year they said it was a one-off as it was a celebratory anniversary and you think, ‘OK’, but they are back again," Norton said, referring to the 60th anniversary in which Sebastian was invited.
"What’s that about? People go, ‘Oh you are so anti-Australia’. I’ve got nothing against Australia. I just think it is kind of stupid."
The Guardian then echoed the sentiment, stating, "Australia’s prolonged participation is only diluting the crassness and bizarreness that makes Eurovision so delicious to watch."
There was no sound of silence in the press room after hearing @damiandmusic made it to the GF. #SBSEurovision pic.twitter.com/1qsf5XjGmN
— SBS Eurovision (@SBSEurovision) May 12, 2016
Australia is definitely the favorite in Semi final 2, listen to the cheers pic.twitter.com/rqUf7lbNST
— Tobey | Lady Gaga (@tobeymonster) May 11, 2016
WATCH: The incredible performance from @Damiandmusic that got Australia through to #Eurovision finals!! #9Today https://t.co/oznOwRsGgK
— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) May 12, 2016
