TONIGHT Delta Goodrem is hoping to make Eurovision history and guide Australia to victory.
And she has called on Beyoncé to help make her performance of her power ballad Eclipse a moment to remember.
As well as pyrotechnics, smoke machines, and wind, Delta will levitate high above her glittering golden piano on the same platform used by the American superstar when she performed at the opening of Atlantis The Royal in Dubai back in January 2023.
In an exclusive chat at her hotel in Vienna, Delta said: “I had to get the lift flown in from the States.
“I have borrowed it. I’ve never flown out of a piano before and I’ve done a lot of shows.
“When it comes to the performance, there was like a shopping list of things I could have and yes, I basically said yes to everything.
“I go into the final with a lot of respect for what Eurovision is. It’s an icon. It’s 70 years of being iconic.”
A year ago this week, it was in The Sun’s Bizarre column that Delta first revealed her dream to take part in Eurovision.
The article was seen around the world, with music producers and managers secretly reaching out to Delta to put a firm offer on the table.
As a thank you to The Sun and its readers, Delta invited me to her hotel to talk all things Eurovision after I watched her be voted through from the second semi-final on Thursday night alongside her friends and family.
Despite my flight being delayed and some of the biggest passport control queues I’ve ever seen, I made it to my seat….with four minutes to spare.
When I recount the story to Delta she gives me a giant hug.
Delta said: “Honestly, I’m so pleased you made it. Thank you.
“I was a fan of Eurovision before, but you put it on the radar to me more than anyone else had in the years prior.
“In those months after, so much has to happen for it to land.”
It was with The Sun that Delta gave her first UK interview after being announced as Australia’s official entry.
She told me earlier this year: “I was so excited to get you on the phone and tell you.
“Literally as soon as it was locked in I said ‘we’ve got to tell Jack’”.
While most Eurovision fans will only see one final performance on Saturday night, behind the scenes Delta will have performed the track eight times thanks to jury performances and full stage rehearsals.
Gracious as ever, Delta is keen to stress that it takes a team to deliver her performance – rather than simply being a one-woman show.
She’s right, too.
Just before the Australian star begins to levitate over her golden piano, Brits will see a close-up shot of Delta looking immaculate and singing for her life.
What they won’t see is multiple men strapping her into a safety harness in just a couple of seconds.
And if the seatbelt-like harness isn’t fully locked, bosses can’t flick a switch to send Delta into the sky.
In one rehearsal, she barely got off the ground because the timing was slightly out.
Though Delta insists she has full faith in the team around her—even knowing each one of them on a first-name basis.
Delta says: “It takes an army.
“The team at Eurovision are so incredible, they are working around the clock to make sure every artist has the performance they had the vision for.
“We really worked together as a team to make that moment. Eddie is the one who is buckling me in up there, and we are in it together.”
Laughing about some of the rehearsal mishaps they have now ironed out, Delta said: “One of them, I had so much smoke!
“I did the Commonwealth Games in 2006 and there was all the pyro smoke covering me too much, and we had one of those in one of these Eurovision sessions.
“On the first lift, I was shocked as to how high it was when you’re up there. Honestly, I am super proud of the guys. We will buckle it in and it will be great.”
Delta is on cloud nine, overjoyed with the amount of love and support she’s received from Eurovision superfans in Vienna and around the world.
Though the 15 hour days are gruelling and even if she looks and sounds like a Goddess, she is only human.
Delta said: “For sure it’s a lot and yes, when I get back to the hotel I still have to zone out and stay in my lane.
“My phone is going off. It’s bananas right now. I am so grateful for the messages but I can’t see what’s going on.
“There are so many. I am trying to find where my times are to leave each day on the bus or get to the venue and it’s a lot. I am very grateful.”
Delta says her husband, musician Matt Copley, has been her rock throughout the process.
Delta said: “Matt has been an incredible support. I feel really supported in general—by my team, by the people of the UK, they have been incredible.
A lot of people have heard my music over the years and seeing them come with me is amazing. I’ve seen so many people in phenomenal Delta t-shirts.”
Brits can spend up to £1.50 for ten votes for any of the 25 countries in this year’s final, apart from the UK entry, Look Mum No Computer.
When I tell Delta her semi-final performance made my dad—a stereotypically tight accountant—part with £1.50 for the first time in his life despite watching the show for over three decades, she beams.
Delta said: “Stop! You’re kidding. Oh, that melts my heart! The whole thing is quite emotional actually because it is about human connection. I’ve felt quite emotional since being voted through.
“I am so excited and grateful and I am so excited for the final. Yes, the audience will be huge but I don’t think I can really wrap my head around that many people watching.
“I know it’s a cliché, but you just have to stay true to yourself. There is such a variety of songs this year. You just never know what is going to happen. I just want to make sure I do my best. The rest is really up to the Eurovision family and friends, and I hope that people feel connected enough to pick up the phone and vote like your Dad.”
While I am fully backing Delta to go all the way, whatever happens she’s ready to let her hair down and celebrate.
Delta said: “Jack, we are going to have a champagne and we are going to enjoy the night ahead. Let’s get the job done first and then see what happens. I would be happy to host a big BBQ for everybody if the fates should allow us all to invite everyone over.”
