Our Australian Eurovision Fan of the Week is Jayde from Phillip Island in Victoria, aka @jaydelizzie on Twitter.
What is your name and where are you from? My name is Jayde, and I’m from Phillip Island VIC
What do you do or tell us something interesting about you? I’ve just finished studying my Bachelor of Music (Music Theatre), and I’ve been performing for 15 years. I’ve done some pretty crazy stuff; sung for the queen, performed at Hisense Arena to 10000 people + performed my own solo Cabaret “Get Off My Island”.
That is amazing, always great to have a Eurovision fan who knows what they are talking about music wise! ~ Aussievision
When did you first get into Eurovision? This is my favourite story to tell; okay so picture this. It’s my first year of uni, I’m 18 and I officially have no sleeping pattern between cramming essays and partying. One morning in May, I get home (ok stumbled) and I turn the tv on to sleep (SBS is always the go), and there it is. The second semi final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2016. And not only that, Australia is competing. I stayed up and watched the whole semi final before I drunkenly passed out. 2 days later, I got up at 4:55 for the first time to watch the grand final, and I’ve been hooked since!
Hahaha that is an AMAZING way to get into the contest
Which is your favourite Eurovision year and why? Okay so I’m INCREDIBLY sentimental of all the years I’ve watched live on tv, but I think 2017 is my favourite. Not only was it the first one I was completely invested in, but it also has some of the WEIRDEST STUFF happening, and is truly quintessential Eurovision.
If you could change one thing about Eurovision what would it be? Most people would say “yeet the politics”, but damn I love that. I would probably change TEL AVIV’S TICKET PRICES, THEY’RE DAYLIGHT ROBBERY
You are going to the contest this year for the first time, what are you expecting or hoping for? Honestly this is such a HUGE step for me; I’ve never been overseas before, and I promised myself after 2016 that when I finished uni I would go to 2019. Israel isn’t exactly a first time traveller’s dream, but I’m really excited to push myself by heading there! I’m expecting the biggest parties in the world (if Israel Calling is anything to go by, I’m gonna be drunk every night) and I’m hoping to meet a whole bunch of ESC fans like me from different countries (there’s nothing like an internet friendship). I’ve been blessed with so many beautiful souls from Australia like me that LIVE for Eurovision, and I can’t wait to meet more!
That is brilliant and always a big step to do your first big trip overseas, and what better way than Eurovision - you will have an incredible time!
If you could only listen to three Eurovision songs for the rest of time, what would you choose? Love Injected, first of all (that bass line with that BELT gives me shivers every time) Origo, because my sister would kill me if that wasn’t there (its the ONLY ESC song she let’s me play) and lastly, I can’t live without Heartbeat by Justs. That song STUNNED me for a very long time, also he is just as good live as he is in the studio recording and it’s so well produced!
Which Eurovision song:
Had the best staging? If I was allowed to, I would say MARUV Siren Song (that GF staging with the LEGS AS A GUN???) but it’s gotta be My Lucky Day. It’s IMMACULATELY done, that is exactly what I would pay to see, and so satisfying when you see the behind the scenes of it.
Great choice, the song was hardly on anyone's radar but that live performance elevated to a top 10 finish.
Best live vocal? Dami Im SURELY, that voice is so well trained and looked after!
Was robbed? Second in a row, but Dami was DEFINITELY ROBBED. The televote did us a huge injustice. Pfft, 4th.
From before 2000 is your favourite? It’s gotta be Ooh Ahh… Just A Little Bit! Gina G is practically an icon, and it’s just SO NINETIES
All hail Gina G, Grammy nominated Australian Queen.
Do you enjoy more now, than when they performed? Okay so I’m a huge sucker for cringe; and let me tell you how iconic I think Verona is NOW. I absolutely didn’t get the hype in 2017, but over time it’s my go-to to introduce my friends to Eurovision. It’s the whole package; the choreographed head turns, the giant LED faces, the corny lyrics, the terrible falsetto… what more could you ask for? Koit Toome is a legend amongst my non ESC friends.
Did you last play? World by Lindita… if only she didn’t look like a badly made up bride.
Is your guilty pleasure? Under The Ladder. I used to be obsessed with Twilight when I was 13 and there’s something about Melovin that makes me want to be a teenager again.
Any other interesting honourable mentions? If somebody could call Iveta and tell her I knew I was bisexual because of her, that would be great
Iveta even had us questioning our sexuality.
What national finals have you enjoyed most this season or any you are looking forward to? HAHAHA okay so shout out to Holly for making me watch this, but I sat through the entire auditions live on youtube for EuroFest Belarus and it DID NOT DISAPPOINT (except for the snub of the Potato boys, which would have been an instant qualifier to the Grand Final). Old Mario Man complaining was my highlight of the whole thing.
Oh Belarus live auditions are amazing, unfortunately they dropped the Spasiba this year, we couldn't get through the whole thing without it
Do you already have a favourite song for 2019? Okay I’m incredibly biased but AUSTRALIA. The first time I heard it, I was disappointed, and then all of a sudden it just CLICKED what this piece of music was. And wow it’s really something so special, I think Europe will eventually eat it up when they get over Australia sending something different. My 2nd place is tied between Friend of a Friend and Soldi.
What did you think of Australia Decides? I was there live! I felt so honoured to be there, and I was incredibly proud to be an Australian the whole time; it really felt like Eurovision in there and Australia was really well represented! I’m definitely gonna be there next year.
It was like a mini-Eurovision, really replicated the atmosphere and the show so well.
And finally...
Tonight Again, Sound of Silence, Don’t Come Easy, We Got Love or Zero Gravity? Zero Gravity wins by a MILE! What a hit, I can’t wait to see it in Tel Aviv!
Well we hope you have an amazing time in Tel Aviv and Kate does you proud. Thanks for joining us Jayde!