Delta Goodrem 'stoked' with Eurovision result, as Sydney fans celebrate her dazzling Grand Final performance
Listen to Australian and world news, and follow trending topics with SBS News Podcasts.
TRANSCRIPT
At the crack of dawn, in a hall in Hurstville in Sydney's south, hundreds of people are already fired up for a Eurovision Live Broadcast party.
Screams and cheers erupting as Australia's entrant, Delta Goodrem completed her Grand Final performance of her pop-balad 'Eclipse' in Vienna.
For those watching from Hurstville, it was a performance worthy of first prize.
VOX POPS: "She was just so beautiful, regal, gorgeous, she sang beautifully. She really represented us well, and we're all really proud !"/"She shined like a goddess, like a sun goddess, I think she's going to win."/ "It was absolutely amazing. She better win."
Dressed in a floor-length, gold-sequined gown, Delta's performance was abundant with classic Eurovision glamour-- replete with dramatic, cosmic-themed stage visuals, dazzling lights and flames.
The final chorus-- in which Delta rose above the crowd from a glittering, gold grand-piano-- was followed by an explosion of cheers from the Vienna crowd.
Delta's televote, or public vote score, was Australia's highest in a decade, but it wasn't quite enough to land her in the top three.
Speaking with SBS after the performance, the star says coming in fourth is still something to celebrate.
"I'm absolutely stoked, the variety of music that's there, I'm honoured I got to go on the iconic Eurovision stage, I'm so blown away by the love and support I can't even begin to say thankyou. I felt the country with me, and all I wanted to do was do my very best and feel it was a great day, and that's all I could do at the end of the day."
Romania placed third with 296 points, behind Israel who came in second with 343 points, despite five countries boycotting the song contest over Israel's military operation in Gaza.
Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia all boycotted this year's event, making it the smallest since 2003 with 35 entries.
As the Grand Final was taking place, hundreds of protesters marched in Vienna against Israel's inclusion in the song contest.
Spanish protester Alvaro was among those voicing their opposition to Israel's participation.
"Eurovision promote different nations. There are spots before each act. And it is not well received, in my opinion, for a lot of Europeans to see a spot saying: come to Israel, it is very nice, very touristy, when the reality is that this is an apartheid state that is pushing away Palestinians and killing them in the places that they have declared war zones."
When Israel's points totals were announced, among the cheers, boos could also be heard from the audience.
While it looked for a moment like Israel might secure the top spot, Bulgaria's song, Bangaranga by DARA swept the audience and jury votes, collecting a total of 516 points.
It is the first time Bulgaria has claimed victory in the long-running song competition.
Speaking after the announcement, DARA was both celebratory and stunned.
"But I'm going to tell you, I'm still in shock. I don't know what's going on. For real, because nobody believed that we, you know, nobody believed that we can win and that 'Bangaranga' (her song) can win. And having this love from the all of the juries and all of the audience tonight, it feels it feels like a dream. It's I don't know if I'm sleeping or is is that the reality? You tell me. I don't know.”
The word Bangaranga comes from Jamaican slang, and means uproar, commotion and a sort of 'beautiful disorder.'
Dara has spoken about battling with anxiety and describes Bangaranga as an inner force that can help guide a person toward self-acceptance.
"Trying to be perfect, chasing perfection in our society right now, it's a huge problem that we got, and I know that once we can drop this mask of chasing perfection, this is when we can be real to who we are and we can stay bold. And lead through love and not fear and that's the real Bangaranga."
Dara's success shining a spotlight on Bulgaria, where next year's contest will be held in Sofia.
If you missed it, you can watch the excitement tonight at 7.30pm AEST on SBS and SBS On Demand.
