Delta Goodrem finished fourth at the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, early Sunday morning Australian time, dashing Australia's hopes of winning the competition for the first time. The 41-year-old singer performed her power ballad 'Eclipse' and was praised as 'phenomenal' and 'iconic' by fans and officials alike.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed pride in Goodrem's performance, stating, 'Delta Goodrem is someone who can be very, very proud of her efforts. And all Australians are proud of Delta.' The result marks Australia's second-best Eurovision finish, following Dami Im's runner-up position in 2016.
Bulgaria's Dara won the 70th edition of the contest with the party anthem 'Bangaranga,' securing the eastern European nation's first victory. Goodrem thanked supporters, saying, 'Representing Australia on the Eurovision stage and being part of this incredible community has been unforgettable.'
During her performance, Goodrem stood at a sparkling golden piano and ascended a platform as sparklers and fog machines created a dramatic backdrop. Eurovision fans across Australia gathered to watch, including Leo Chant, who spent days recreating Goodrem's costume for a broadcast party in Sydney's south.
The winner is determined by combined jury and public votes, with neither allowed to vote for their own country. Australia was in equal second place after jury votes but dropped to fourth after the public poll, which pushed Israel to second and Romania to third. The contest faced controversy this year as five countries boycotted over Israel's participation.
