Delta Goodrem sends Australia to final with 'Eclipse'

Delta Goodrem put Australia through to the Eurovision Song Contest grand final on Friday after performing “Eclipse” in the second semi-final in Vienna. The Australian singer was announced among the 10 qualifiers after the live show at Wiener Stadthalle, sending Australia into Saturday’s final. BBC, ABC and other broadcasters reported the result after the overnight broadcast in Australia. The performance was Australia’s 11th appearance at Eurovision since the country joined the contest in 2015. ### Which countries qualified with Australia from the second semi-final? The second semi-final in Vienna produced 10 qualifiers, with Australia advancing alongside Bulgaria, Ukraine, Norway, Romania, Malta, Cyprus, Albania, Denmark and Czechia, according to multiple reports published on May 15. ABC reported that Goodrem advanced with nine other performers after the semifinal broadcast. (bbc.com) Vienna is hosting the 70th Eurovision Song Contest this year, and SBS said 35 nations were competing across the week’s shows before the field narrowed for the grand final. Australia is participating through broadcaster SBS, a member of the European Broadcasting Union. ### What did Delta Goodrem’s performance of “Eclipse” look like on stage? (qnews.com.au) ABC reported that Goodrem’s staging used pyrotechnics and dazzling lights, and that she climbed onto her grand piano for the final chorus. Reuters photographs carried by ABC showed a podium rising from the piano and lifting her into the air during the performance. (sbs.com.au) SBS, which broadcasts Eurovision in Australia, said before the semi-final that the staging had been developed by Dan Shipton and Ross Nicholson of Black Skull Creative. The broadcaster described the performance as built around light, shadow and a shift from darker tones to gold as the song progressed. The Guardian described the staging as including wind, fire and Goodrem’s upper-range vocals, while its review said the Australian entry reached the grand final after a “note-perfect” delivery. (abc.net.au) BBC’s live coverage also reported Australia among the countries through from the second semi-final. (sbs.com.au) ### Who wrote “Eclipse,” and what has Goodrem said about it? SBS said “Eclipse” was written by Goodrem with Ferras Alqaisi, Jonas Myrin and Michael Fatkin, who also produced the single. The broadcaster described the song, released in March, as opening with classical piano motifs before building toward a vocal crescendo. Goodrem told SBS when she was announced as Australia’s entrant that she was “honoured to represent Australia” at Eurovision. (theguardian.com) ABC separately reported that she had described the song as being about “alignment — when things all come into the right place.” ### What was she wearing in Vienna? SBS said Goodrem wore a gown created by Australian designers Velani By Nicky and House of Emmanuele, styled by Tori Knowles. (sbs.com.au) The broadcaster said the dress took more than 500 hours to make and was hand-embellished with more than 7,000 Swarovski crystals. The same SBS preview said the styling was intended to reference both Australian design and Vienna, this year’s host city. (sbs.com.au) ABC reported that Goodrem said it was important to her to “wear the vision of Australian designers” while also acknowledging the host city’s elegance. (sbs.com.au) ### What does the result mean for Australia in this year’s contest? Australia’s qualification ends a run of misses and sends the country back to the grand final for the first time in three years, according to Australian media reports published after the show. ABC said Goodrem’s semi-final appearance marked Australia’s 11th time in the contest. (sbs.com.au) SBS reported earlier this week that Goodrem entered the contest with strong bookmaker support, and Eurovision researcher Jess Carniel told the broadcaster that her experience and established European audience could help Australia in Vienna. Carniel said before the semi-finals that Australia was sitting fifth in betting odds. (tvtonight.com.au) The Eurovision Grand Final is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, in Vienna, with 26 countries set to compete for the 70th title. SBS said the contest runs from May 12 to May 16 in Austria, and ABC reported after the semi-final that Goodrem would perform in the final on Saturday. (sbs.com.au 1) (sbs.com.au 2)