Jaguar Jonze, Paulini & Isaiah Firebrace to compete in Eurovision – Australia Decides

The first three artists competing for be Australia’s representative at Eurovision have been revealed by broadcaster SBS.

Jaguar Jonze, Paulini and Isaiah Firebrace will take to the stage in February next year in a bid to be selected for the international competition.

More than 700 songs were submitted to the Eurovision – Australia Decides song portal, with music creators hoping their creations will be showcased by the artists.

Shortlisted songs are now being matched with artists, the results of which will be revealed soon.

The first successful applicant is Toowoomba-based Jude York whose song will be matched with one of the competing artists.

He said he can’t wait for everyone to hear the song.

Jude York (Photo credit: Tayla Lauren) 

“To think of my song being shared on such a monumental platform is truly mind-blowing. I wrote it with the amazing Billy Stonecipher about staying hopeful that dreams can come true. And now to have this opportunity as a queer artist in regional Queensland, I’ve never had a better reason to believe in that message,” he said.

Firebrace won The X Factor in 2016. The following year, he represented Australia at Eurovision, placing ninth. He said that period four years ago is a bit of a blurry dream, and he’s grown so much as a singer, performer and person since then.

Firebrace is ready to compete again

“I can’t tell you anything more except that I’m singing a duet with someone incredible and that we co-wrote the song,” he added. “What I can tell you is that I cannot wait to share everything with you and that Eurovision – Australia Decides is going to be the biggest party on the Gold Coast.”

Paulini said for her, Eurovision is like the Olympics – bringing together countries and cultures, and uniting the world.

“I’m super excited to be part of Eurovision – Australia Decided, after all it’s been ages since any of us have really been able to perform to anyone other than our families,” she said. “That also means it’s been a little while since I’ve been able to belt out any of the big notes I’m known for. But that is something the audience can definitely expect to hear in my new single which I’ll be performing at Eurovision – Austalia Decides on the Gold Coast in 2022.”

Jonze competed in the Australian leg of the competition last year, placing sixth. She said a lot has happened since then, and she can’t wait to get back in stage.

“I am honoured and bubbling with excitement to be performing at Eurovision – Australia Decides again in 2022. The imagination, creativity and talent of the performances is always so inspirational, it’s such a special place to express yourself as a musician and an artist,” she said.

Jaguar Jonze (Photo credit: She Is Aphrodite) 

“My song is going to be a moment that celebrates our resilience and the little steps that lead to big change, as well as push my creative boundaries to another level.”

Eurovision – Australia Decides will be hosted by Joel Creasey and Myf Warhurst.

The winner will be revealed during the live TV final which will be broadcast on SBS on Saturday, February 26.