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Dannii Minogue: “I’m so proud!” of Dami Im

Dannii Minogue remembers a geeky piano teacher at an X Factor audition. Now Dami Im is set for an audience of 150 million.

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When she turned up at X Factor, Dannii Minogue remembers a shy piano teacher with a big voice. But if she makes it through Eurovision‘s Second Semi Final Dami Im will perform before 180 million viewers this weekend.

“At her first audition she was kind of geeky and gawky, and had great vulnerability about her –which she still has. Now she knows how to utilise certain techniques on stage that will give her the power in the performance,” says Minogue.

“It felt like a student, taking her from a piano teacher into a world class performer.”

“I can just see her performing it and giving a big, dramatic performance”

Minogue mentored the South Korean-born singer through to win the 2013 series on Seven. Creating a striking, fashionable diva, Dami Im soon became known for her arresting performances and powerful voice. But after growing up with the music of The Carpenters, Mariah Carey and Norah Jones, Dami had to convincingly sell songs she had never heard before.

“She didn’t know any of these pop songs!” Minogue recalls.

“She was just so great at taking on information and trusting. If you have someone’s trust it’s very easy. It felt like every show we were doing a tandem skydive into the unexpected. She’d never even heard the songs before! She had no history with them. But she just said ‘Ok I trust you. This song was big and popular and people will remember it then I will do it.’”

In Stockholm she performs Sound of Silence, a mid-tempo powerhouse written by Anthony Egizii and David Musumeci which will show off all her attributes and carry Australia’s hopes to Europe.

“I can just see her performing it and giving a big, dramatic performance, which stages like that need. Physically she’s tall and she wears costumes so well. There’s nothing she doesn’t look good in. It’s a Steve Khalil design, which is amazing,” says Minogue.

“I’m so proud! I got to speak to her before she left and it’s such a big pressure on her shoulders. I tried to get her all pumped up. She’s in such a great position because she’s come so recently from a competition on TV. So she’s match-fit for it!

“On X Factor it seemed to be that she was representing a big chunk of Australia. People would stop me on the street and say ‘Dami represents me. I recognise myself in her in coming to Australia.’ So I feel like she was representing more than just her Korean heritage. So now she’s going overseas and representing Australia!”

“She knows how to move people.”

The song is ranked fifth with the bookies, behind Russia, Ukraine, France and host nation Sweden, meaning it should easily qualify from the Second Semi Final.

“Guy doing the show has added interest in Australia, so immediately you have attention. Because he did so well and was so charming and likeable, I think everybody’s eyes are wide open to see who will follow.

“At X Factor Dami was so nice to be around, including with crew, so the Dami Army will just expand.

“(Husband) Noah’s such a big part of her success as well. He’s very supportive and knows just when to hold her hand or make her giggle. There’s a noticeable difference to having him around.

“I know she will be able to make an impression. She knows how to move people.”

Minogue, who is not returning to X Factor this year, is preparing for a one off show with Culture Club in June.

“I’m putting a band together for it, with a whole new set and show. So I have to concentrate on that for a little while.”

But this weekend all the attention is on her protégé, Dami Im. Minogue will be watching on Friday (and hopefully Sunday) wearing Dami Army merchandise and cheering on a former piano teacher in Stockholm. Not even the early morning rise will deter her enthusiasm.

“I remember we had Eurovision parties when I lived in London at a much more decent hour for a cocktail and TV viewing experience. But we’ll have the coffee, ready to go!”

Friday 13 May, 5am, (AEST) SBS Semi Final 2 Live (with Dami Im)*
Friday 13 May, 7.30pm SBS Semi Final 1 (replay)
Saturday 14 May, 7.30pm SBS,  Semi Final 2 (replay)
Sunday 15 May, 5am (AEST) SBS Final Live*
Sunday 15 May, 7.30pm SBS Final (replay)

*SMS Live voting

4 Responses

  1. Fantastic results and Dami was not picked by Danni for her final team but someone dropped out at the last minute and Dami stepped in and the rest is history, and she deserves everything she gets, so talented and so humble with everything.

  2. If memory serves me correctly, originally Dami didn’t make it into the part where they picked the ones to go overseas for coaching with famous people. I think someone got sick or something and they were replaced by Dami. The rest is history. Gotta believe in fate !

  3. Not seen or heard the song but I think Australia might struggle to pick up votes more in the semi-final stage than they would in the final considering it’s more the real Eurovision fans that would vote in them. Last year they were guests as supposedly a one-off but this year they’d be taking the place of an actual EBU member, so really have to pull out something to justify that.

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