Delta Goodrem: How Aussie singer accidentally landed Eurovision gig for Vienna 2026
The Aussie star is arguably an obvious choice to represent Australia, but it wasn’t so clear to her.
Australia has been a regular entrant into the Eurovision song contest since Guy Sebastian flew the flag in 2015, and while this year’s talent Delta Goodrem is proud to take the reins, she admitted her place in the forthcoming event came about largely an accident.
Speaking with BBC’s The One Show, Delta explained how the once-in-a-lifetime gig was manifested into existence before she had even agreed to it.
“Last year I was in London doing shows in Hackney, and it was the first time that I kind of got to see Eurovision at the same time, because Australia’s been a part of it the last 10 years, right?” she said.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“So the past 10-11 years it kept sort of circling me, saying, ‘Would you do Eurovision?’ I’d always been on tours or on projects or shows.
“And this moment happened where someone said, ‘Would you do it? And I said, ‘Of course, I’m always open-hearted to, you know, whatever the world brings you, good projects and excitement’.
“And basically I said that, ‘yes’. And then there was an article written saying, ‘Delta to do Eurovision.’”
Immediately, the Born to Try singer was inundated with requests from collaborators pleading to be involved.
She said the weight of momentum quickly became too heavy to repress.
“All of a sudden, songwriters I knew were like, ‘Hey, do you want to do Eurovision?’ The Australians were like, ‘Are you going to do Eurovision?’ And I was like, ‘I guess — yes — we’re doing it now, let’s go. I’m in!’” she said.
Riding the wave of support from Aussie fans, the singer has no regrets over accepting the billing.
“I really take it with my heart. It’s been really beautiful to see the Aussies sort of go, ‘We’re going to Eurovision together!’ So I feel like they’re with me in my heart as I represent them,” Delta said.
The 41-year-old was officially confirmed to be Australia’s next representative at the contest on March 2, with the festival set to take place in May at Vienna’s Wiener Stadthalle.
Arguably the nation’s most high-profile flag bearer, Delta will perform her powerful new single Eclipse to a global audience of more than 160 million viewers.
Emerging as a household name at just 15 with her debut album Innocent Eyes, she has sold more than nine million albums worldwide, and claimed 12 ARIA awards.
Upon announcing Delta had been appointed for the contest’s 2026 iteration, SBS Head of Entertainment Emily Griggs said “the moment has arrived” for the star to finally add Eurovision to her list of accomplishments following years of speculation that her time would come.
“Everything has aligned for Delta to represent Australia at Eurovision, and there’s no better time than 2026 in the song contest’s 70th year, back where Australia’s participation began in 2015,” Ms Clarke said.
Australia’s most successful result at the long-running event was in 2016, when Dami Im placed second behind Ukraine’s Jamala.
