[6] The commentators for all three shows were Julia Zemiro and Sam Pang. Dami Im to represent Australia in Eurovision 2016 on March 4, 2016 August 12, 2016 in Events, Life Dami Im is to represent Australia in Eurovision 2016… and in Sweden, of all places! It was composed and written by Ali Tamposi, Tania Doko and Boi-1da. In case Australia wins the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest, the 2017 contest will be co-hosted by Australian broadcaster SBS and another European public broadcaster, somewhere in Europe. She was born in Houston, Texas to an Australian father and an Armenian mother who was from Greece. I truly believe that the Australian public and Eurovision fans around the world are going to love the song I will be performing in Sweden. "SBS is thrilled to have secured this opportunity for Australia to compete at Stockholm in 2016 and thank the EBU for their invitation. [32], Shortly after the second semi-final, a winners' press conference was held for the ten qualifying countries. "[5] SBS CEO and managing director Michael Ebeid stated: "SBS is thrilled to have secured this opportunity for Australia to compete at Stockholm in 2016 and thank the European Broadcasting Union for their invitation. [13][14], Prior to the Eurovision Song Contest, Dami Im made several appearances across Australia to promote "Sound of Silence" as the Australian Eurovision entry while also promoting her album Classic Carpenters, which was released on 22 April 2016. 56 countries and an additional 34 Associates in Asia, Africa, Australasia and the Americas. Dami Im said: SBS Managing Director Michael Ebeid said. In 2013 Dami stepped into the spotlight from nowhere, taking out the X Factor crown and winning the hearts of over 3 million Australians with her astonishing voice and transformation into a fully-fledged pop diva. Prior to the 2016 Contest, Romania had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 17 times since its first entry in 1994. They are the second country outside of the Eurasia region with Morocco competing in the 1980 contest. [26][27][28][29] Dami Im began her performance on top of a large blue box surrounded by transparent hologram screens which displayed a nighttime city skyline, robotic imagery and pictures of faces. At its upfronts this week, SBS announced Australia has been invited back to compete in Eurovision 2016 after our first ever foray into the competition in 2015. [6] SBS Radio also launched SBS Eurovision Radio on 1 May, which was broadcast via SBS Radio 4 and the SBS Radio App; the radio broadcasts featured backstage coverage of the contest, interviews with the contestants by reporter Alistair Birch and live simulcasts of the contest as it aired on SBS. There are many ways to interpret the meaning around a song, but one theme that I relate to in "Sound of Silence" is that of disconnection and being away from the people in my life that I love. As you can see Frans likes to talk about himself a lot :) says CEO and Managing Director SBS, Michael Ebeid. [3] Australia's entry, "Tonight Again" performed by Guy Sebastian, came in fifth place with 196 points, and was awarded the maximum 'douze points' by Austria and Sweden. [20], Once all the competing songs for the 2016 contest had been released, the running order for the semi-finals was decided by the shows' producers rather than through another draw, so that similar songs were not placed next to each other. The individual rankings of each jury member as well as the nation's televoting results were released shortly after the grand final. After Guy Sebastian wowed Europe with a top 5 finish as Australia’s first ever Eurovision contestant in 2015, Australia is back for another dose of Eurovision glitz and glamour, and another shot at Eurovision glory. Australian broadcaster, SBS, has announced Dami Im will represent Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Stockholm, Sweden! Dami won The X Factor on the strength of her astonishing voice and palpable sense of artistry. In case Australia wins the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest, the 2017 contest will be co-hosted by Australian broadcaster SBS and another European public broadcaster, somewhere in Europe. Here writer, academic, Aussie and lifelong Eurovision fan Jess Carniel responds to the criticism. "Europe and Australia have a lot in common in regards to cultural values and when a broadcaster is so committed to bring great acts to the contest, the only right thing to do is to be inclusive," says Dr. Frank Dieter Freiling, Chairman of the Reference Group. Source: SBS . ... Armenian backing vocalist Monica previously represented Armenia in Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2008. [11] The song was written by the songwriting and production team DNA Songs, which consists of Anthony Egizii and David Musumeci.[11]. For 2016 Australia will have to compete in the second Semi-Final on Thursday the 12th of May. Guy Sebastian put in a valiant effort last year with his quickly-penned piece of bubblegum pop Tonight Again coming in fifth. More success followed as Dami earned multiple ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) accreditations, including #1 chart positions and multi-platinum sales for the likes of her self-titled debut album and hit singles Alive, Super Love and Gladiator. Australia was subsequently placed to perform in position 13, following the entry from Poland and before the entry from Cyprus. [33] Following this draw, the shows' producers decided upon the running order of the final, as they had done for the semi-finals. Controversy arose following the release of the Australian entry due to complaints that the lyrics of "Sound of Silence" violated the rules of the Eurovision Song Contest, which prohibit lyrics that contain "messages promoting any political cause, company, brand, products or services". Junior Eurovision is BACK on SBS! In 2016 Dami Im represented Australia with Sound of Silence. Sahlene, who represented Estonia in Eurovision Song Contest 2002, returned as a backing vocalist for Australia. ", "Time for the juries to make their choice", "Your first look at Dami Im's incredible Eurovision dress", "Australia: Dami Im visually slays "Sound of Silence" first rehearsal", "Anna Sahlene gör comeback i Eurovision Song Contest – körar bakom Australien", "10 more finalists through to the Grand Final", "Eurovision Song Contest 2016 Second Semi-final", "The Second Semi-Final winners' press conference", "Running order for the 2016 Grand Final revealed", "Juries voting tonight for the 2016 Grand Final", "Ukraine wins 2016 Eurovision Song Contest", "De prisades redan innan Eurovision Song Contest 2016 – vann Marcel Bezençon Award", "Here are the judges for Eurovision 2016! Australia was drawn to compete in the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest which took place on 12 May 2016. Australia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 with the song "Sound of Silence" written by Anthony Egizii and David Musumeci. Her success has extended from her home in Australia to Asia including China, Hong Kong, Singapore and most satisfyingly, her birth country of Korea. In 2013 Dami Im arrived in the spotlight, seemingly out of nowhere, and found herself a home in the sonic heart of Australia. Australian broadcaster, SBS, has announced Dami Im will represent Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Stockholm, Sweden! I cannot wait to showcase it to the world and represent Australia to the best of my ability! By Christian Petersen. Named after the creator of the annual contest, Marcel Bezençon, the awards are divided into 3 categories: the Press Award, given to the best entry as voted on by the accredited media and press during the event; the Artistic Award, presented to the best artist as voted on by the shows' commentators; and the Composer Award, given to the best and most original composition as voted by the participating composers. The Eurovision Song Contest 2016 was the 61st edition of the annual Eurovision Song Contest. We Are" represented Australia during the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2016. Dami won the jury vote, providing Australia with its best ever placing at Eurovision. Last year in Vienna, Australia was guaranteed a spot in the final. Im was announced as the Australian representative on 3 March 2016 during the Sydney concert of Conchita Wurst, Austria's Eurovision Song Contest 2014 winner. I can't wait to perform it live in Stockholm and connect with a whole new audience. See the complete list here . The broadcaster is set to officially present her tomorrow. Their song ‘Face the Shadow’ finished up at a respectable 16th position in a very tough year. The EBU Reference Group, the governing body of the Eurovision Song Contest, voted unanimously in favour of Australia's participation. Showcase it to the criticism the entry from Cyprus compete at Stockholm in 2016 with Sound Silence. 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