Announced this morning
Guy Sebastian will represent Australia at the Eurovision song contest.
SBS made the announcement at the Sydney Opera House this morning, and the artist will now begin the series of rehearsals ahead of the world’s best known song contest. A number of artists had been touted to represent Australia, including Jessica Mauboy (who performed last year), Megan Washington and Client Liaison – the latter two having thrown their hats into the ring via social media.
SBS approached all three major labels and a series of independent labels about the availability of artists.
In the end Sony-signed former Australian Idol winner Guy Sebastian, an odds-on favourite, has got the nod. Mauboy is also a Sony-signed ex-Idol.
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Cult Aussie band TISM were the beneficiaries of a petition to get them to the contest, but hopes of their involvement have been dashed today.
Held in Vienna this year, the semi finals take place Friday 22 and Saturday 23 May before the Grand Final takes place Sunday 24 May.
It was revealed that Australia would get to take part earlier this year. Not everyone is chuffed that Australia are taking part, either.
Why didn't we just go all the way and send Mark Holden? #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/2hnDbFdtnB
— Dan Condon (@doncandon) March 4, 2015
#BREAKING NORTHERN TERRITORY IS SECEDING FROM AUSTRALIA AFTER GUY SEBASTIAN WAS ANNOUNCED AS EUROVISION ENTRANT
— The NT News (@TheNTNews) March 4, 2015
WE'RE NOT SAYING IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN JESSICA MAUBOY, BUT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN JESSICA MAUBOY #SBSEUROVISION
— The NT News (@TheNTNews) March 4, 2015