SBS Reveals First Acts Vying To Represent Aus At Eurovision 2022

Aus broadcaster SBS today revealed the first three acts set to hit the stage for the preliminary rounds of Eurovision - Australia Decides.

The annual contest sees a number of iconic local artists battle it out for the ultimate prize of representing the country at the Eurovision Song Contest, with the general public casting their decision on who should take out the top spot.

The 2022 iteration of the contest is set to take place in Turn, Italy, following the win from Italian rockers Maneskin earlier this year. Sydney electro pop sensation Montaigne took on the world for Eurovision 2021, and now the newest batch of hopefuls are gearing up for their turn.

Returning representative Isaiah Firebrace is throwing his hat into the ring once again, after representing Australia back in 2017. Also joining him to vie for the title are Brisbane multi-disciplinarian Jaguar Jonze and Australian Idol legend Paulini.

“I’m over the moon to be jumping onto the stage for Eurovision – Australia Decides 2022," Firebrace said of the announcement. "When I first represented Australia at Eurovision in 2017, I was 17, it was my first time in Europe and I feel like everything was a blurry dream that went by so quickly - I’ve grown so much as a singer, a performer and as a person since then and I’ve definitely got unfinished business! I can’t tell you anything more except that I’m singing a duet with someone incredible and that we co-wrote the song. What I can tell you is that I cannot wait to share everything with you and that Eurovision – Australia Decides is going to be the biggest party on the Gold Coast."

Jonze also shared her excitement, saying, “I am honoured and bubbling with excitement to be performing at Eurovision – Australia Decides again in 2022! The imagination, creativity and talent of the performances is always so inspirational, it’s such a special place to express yourself as a musician and an artist. My song is going to be a moment that celebrates our resilience and the little steps that lead to big change, as well as push my creative boundaries to another level. So much has happened since we were all together, and being back with the added strength of my Eurovision family and fanbase will make it a show worth waiting for. I can’t wait to see you on the Gold Coast!”

Paulini added her jubilation, noting, “I’m super excited to be part of Eurovision – Australia Decides, after all it’s been ages since any of us have really been able to perform to anyone other than our families. That also means it’s been a little while since I’ve been able to belt out any of the big notes I’m known for. But that is something the audience can definitely expect to hear in my new single which I’ll be performing at Eurovision – Australia Decides on the Gold Coast in 2022. Eurovision to me is like the Olympics for singers! It brings together so many countries and cultures— and while it’s a competition I see it as uniting much of the world through music.”

The live Australia Decides final will be broadcast exclusively on SBS from 7.30pm Saturday 26 February. Check out the official announcement trailer below.