Standing before a glistening crescent moon and adorned in more than 7,000 Swarovski crystals, Australia’s 2026 Eurovision hopeful Delta Goodrem delivered a powerful performance on the 70th anniversary of the global song contest – and became the first Australian act to qualify for the grand final since 2023.

Heading into the competition as an early favourite behind Eurovision heavy-hitters Denmark and Finland, Goodrem delivered a note-perfect rendition of her power-ballad entry, Eclipse. The track is impressive if a little formulaic – and of the 35 countries competing, 15 are represented by solo female performers, so Goodrem needed to find a way to stand out in a crowded field.

Despite playing it safe, Goodrem’s performance was precise and undeniable. After making a dramatic trek downstage and towards her piano – bedazzled in sparkling gold, of course – Goodrem performed a short piano solo (although the camera was unexpectedly obstructed in this moment, making it difficult to see Goodrem actually play the instrument).

The performance climaxed with a key change, and the 41-year-old singer was propelled into the air on a platform that rose from within the piano itself. There was wind, there was fire, there was Goodrem’s remarkable upper range – it was a refreshingly self-assured offering from Australia after a disappointing couple of years for the country in the competition.

Australia’s first appearance at Eurovision was in 2014, when Jessica Mauboy performed as an interval act during the competition’s semi-finals. Last year’s Australian entry, Go-Jo, failed to wow judges and did not progress to the grand final with his campy ode to self-confidence, Milkshake Man. In 2024, duo Electric Fields made history as the first Australian Eurovision entrants to perform in Yankunytjatjara – a traditional language of the Aṉangu peoples – yet their song One Milkali (One Blood) also failed to progress beyond the semi-final.

Only 35 countries are competing at Eurovision this year, the lowest number of entries since 2003. Ireland, Iceland, Spain, Slovenia and the Netherlands all boycotted the 2026 competition, citing Israel’s participation in Eurovision and the Israeli government’s attacks on Gaza.

Ahead of her debut performance at the semi-finals, Goodrem said: “Performing on the Eurovision stage is something I feel so deeply in my heart, carrying Australia with me in every note and every moment.” This week, Goodrem announced her seventh studio album, Pure, will be released on 6 November.

The Eurovision song contest grand final will air on SBS On Demand from 5am AEST on Sunday 17 May.