LONDON (AP) — With links to Celine Dion and Olivia Newton-John, Delta Goodrem is one of the best-connected contestants at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
She’s also one of the most successful participants, as the award-winning Australian singer-songwriter has sold over nine million albums and topped charts in eight countries.
Goodrem is representing her home country in the world’s largest live music event, which takes place this year in Vienna. Even though it’s way outside of Europe, Australia has been invited to compete since 2015.
In the 1990s Goodrem, who was a former star of Australian soap “Neighbours,” wrote a track called “Eyes on Me” for Dion, who won Eurovision representing Switzerland in 1988.
She was also mentored by the late Newton-John, another global superstar who took part in the song contest on behalf of the United Kingdom in 1974, although not as successfully.
“Growing up, Olivia Newton-John and Celine Dion were two of my greatest loves in music,” she said. “I don’t think I would be the musician I am today without my influence from the two of them. And they have both been a part of that stage from different countries.”
Goodrem also has a link to the entry representing the tiny country of San Marino. Boy George, who appears on SENHIT’s entry “Superstar,” used to be a judge and rival alongside Goodrem on Australia’s hit TV talent show “The Voice.”
“I’ve got my eyes on him. I’m watching him,” Goodrem joked. “I was so excited and couldn’t stop laughing … it’s so playful that Boy George was like, ‘I’m coming to Eurovision!’”
The Associated Press spoke to Goodrem in London about competing with her power ballad “Eclipse” in the Eurovision Song Contest.
This conversation has been edited for clarity and brevity.
AP: When was the first time you ever heard about Eurovision?
GOODREM: It’s been a bit omnipresent where you sort of heard it in the air. And I guess obviously Australia’s been in for 11 years. So we became a lot more actively like Team Australia. But growing up, you always were, you know, enamored with this incredible iconic stage and it’d always find its way to us.
AP: I feel like you’ve been representing Australia your whole life.
GOODREM: I feel that as well and I’ve always been very patriotic and very true to the love I have for Australia and it feels like they’re all celebrating, we’re all sort of there together on this journey.
AP: How competitive are you?
GOODREM: Oh you know, I’m definitely here to give it my absolute all, yes.
AP: Did you watch last year?
GOODREM: So (last year) I was doing my couple of shows here (in London) and I had sort of got to experience the energy of Eurovision on the ground and I just thought it was palpable, it was incredible and I was watching all the programs and it was really exciting and somebody had asked me, ‘would you do Eurovision?’ And I said, ‘I’m always open’ … You never know where your path’s leading, just if it feels right.
AP: While Eurovision tries to keep out politics, it’s always crept in. What do you think about the boycott this year?
GOODREM: I really am a true believer that throughout my career, coming to my show, I’m about unifying — music for me is a moment where we’re all singing the same song. And I believe in that, and I have my whole life, that it’s very healing, music has a real power.
So I sort of focus on the power of music being a unifying space and a place that can wrap around people’s lives and their soundtrack and that’s where it sits for me.
AP: What did you think about the news that they’re doing Eurovision in Asia?
GOODREM: The more music the better. I think that’s so exciting. That means I get to immerse myself in the music in September for Eurovision Asia.
AP: I need to ask you about staging. I see the video for this involves a lot of sand.
GOODREM: Yes, you’re thinking I should bring Australian sand, you know, that’s very patriotic. I start a little beach on stage, look up at the moon for “Eclipse.” I definitely am really excited to bring it to life.
AP: If you win, can Eurovision go to Australia?
GOODREM: Sure. Yeah, yeah!
AP: Is it more likely that it’d be a co-host?
GOODREM: Look, I don’t know those logistics yet but I’m open to the conversation … If you would like to vote for me then I’m happy to talk about if we could like have it here or if, you know, I’m happy to do a deal.
