Look, nobody really knows why Australia is doing Eurovision now. But it’s fun as hell, the parties are the best, and anyone who’s sitting there going “bUt wE’Re nOt eVeN PaRt oF EuRoPe” is on the same level as those energy vampires who refer to footy as “sportsball”.
Sure, maybe you weren’t super enthused about Jessica Mauboy or Guy Sebastian, or even Isaiah’s amazing eyebrows voice.
But this year’s representative, as the winner of #AusDecides – the first ever public-voted competition to choose our Eurovisitor – is Kate Miller-Heidke. This could not be more perfect.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ6DS0XgUVs
The song, ‘Zero Gravity’, is one part ‘Let It Go’, one part blue alien diva from The Fifth Element, and one part Bjork (with slightly less desolately staring into the existential abyss).
It’s about Miller-Keidke’s recovery from post-natal depression. It was inspired in part by last year’s winning performance by Israeli singer Netta, whose chicken noises convinced Miller-Heidke that she could go as bonkers as she wanted.
She performed it from the top of a 3.3m tall dress, in a headdress that would take your eye out.
The energy is exactly right for Eurovision.
It’s clear. @kmillerheidke is the winner Australia deserves. #Eurovision #AustraliaDecides pic.twitter.com/ZVFVGcG8CQ
— Rob (@Robbie_Milano) February 8, 2019
Admittedly, it would have been a strong vibe to continue our unbroken streak of sending artists of colour to the competition – and we came close with runners-up Electric Fields, whose electropop banger ‘2000 And Whatever’ includes singer Zaachariaha Fielding’s Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara languages.
But Miller-Heidke has also been representing us to the world for years, in a gloriously broad Australian accent, with the relatably dorky enthusiasm and staggering natural talent and discipline of the prodigy from high school choir you always knew would be famous eventually.
Kate Miller-Heidke's entry for Australia's contest is, in performance, one of the most remarkable displays of major league diva energy ever recorded, this is what scientists will use in the future to induce GAY SCREAMING in controlled laboratory settings https://t.co/9e1PzMKL3O pic.twitter.com/tNybzw1130
— taber ?️? (@taber) February 8, 2019
This is a classically trained opera singer who wrote an anti-bullying anthem that became a sleeper radio hit and is now taught in schools.
She and her partner and regular collaborator Keir Nuttall wrote Muriel’s Wedding: The Musical, including one of the best and sweariest songs ever written about making a new friend.
She’s f**king amazing.
I can’t believe it. Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who voted. We did it! It was a fierce competition and I’m beyond thrilled that you chose me to represent Australia at Eurovision 2019. #eurovision2019 #ausdecides #eurovision pic.twitter.com/eH70dbRtcu
— Kate Miller-Heidke (@kmillerheidke) February 9, 2019