Our Aussie fan of the week is the lovely Emily aka @escstraya - check out our Q&A with her below.
What is your name and where are you from?
My name is Emily and I'm from the Mornington Peninsula in Melbourne!
Tell us something interesting about you?
I'm studying commerce and criminology at university!
On to Eurovision – when did you first get into the contest?
I first got into the contest in 2008 after Molitva won. My dads's side of the family is Serbian and so it was super exciting that they'd won and that they were gonna host so my dad and I tuned into it and I've been watching it ever since!
Love that your interest came from your heritage originally - so many Australians get into the contest this way! ~ Aussievision
Do you have a favourite Eurovision year? Why is it your fav?
This is such a tough one cause I've loved so many of them! But have to say that I really enjoyed 2012 and 2016. I think the show productions were super enjoyable (and the 2016 grand final opening is my favourite opening EVER) and they both have heaps of songs that are in my all time favourites. Also an honourable mention to 2015 which has heaps of songs that I love.
2016 was incredible wasn't it?
Which Eurovision song:
Is your favourite?
This question is so hard!! But if I really have to pick I'll bring it down to euphoria and Molitva
Is over rated?
Azerbaijan 2011. I like it but I don't think it deserved to win. I just feel like it doesn't really go anywhere and it's just pretty anticlimactic for me. There have been so many better duets in esc
PREACH, agree enitrely. This ones keeps coming up a lot... for good reason! ~ Dale, Aussievision
Was robbed?
SO MANY!!!! But a stand out is Never Forget - Iceland 2012. One of my all time favourite songs and I'm so devastated it placed so low in the final. I also passionately believe Lucie Jones deserved top 5 last year. That performance still brings me to tears!
Had the best live performance?
Molitva. That long note slays every time
Did you last play?
Silent Storm - Norway 2014. LOVE
Love this!
Is your guilty pleasure?
Dancing Lasha Tumbai. So catchy and an absolute classic. No shame at all.
Any other interesting honourable mentions?
Some less popular ones that I really love are Made of Stars, Playing with Numbers and Suus
Do you follow the national finals? If so have any songs caught your attention so far this year?
I've only followed national finals since last year and I'm soooo happy I got into it! You get so many more new songs each year than just the Eurovision ones! So far I'm really loving Poison (Ari, Ari), EVA, Külm and Home.
Why should Australia be in Eurovision?
I think that our outside support and decades of following Eurovision has really helped Eurovision gain worldwide attention and show that, whilst held between Eurovision countries, is something that can be enjoyed by and bring joy to people all over! I do think it's kinda weird, but I support it 100% and love that we're in it! I would hate to see the day that we're not invited back.
Love the 'I do think it's kinda weird' quote, because it kind of is but it's also amazing and we would be devastated if we weren't in it anymore.
Are you happy with Jessica Mauboy as our choice for Lisbon?
ABSOLUTELY!!! I did not expect her to be chosen at all but she's always been one of my top picks! I've been a fan of hers since she shot to fame on Idol and have loved pretty much everything she's brought out over the years. And I know she's gonna come to Eurovision with something amazing so I am so proud!
Sea of Flags, Tonight Again, Sound of Silence or Don’t Come Easy?
Sound of silence! So so so powerful!!!!
Anything else you'd like to share?
I don't think Russia will bring back Yulia, and I hope they don't tbh. I didn't like her voice and I really love a high quality Russian banger like You Are The Only One and the others they've had in recent years. I just don't believe she could bring that to the competition. I'd feel bad for her after all of last year's drama, but I'd rather someone else.
Very interesting take, we shall see if she is chosen or not....
Cheers and thanks for your time!
Thanks for asking me!