TikTok act joins Eurovision: Australia Decides

SBS, TikTok and production partner Blink TV have announced singer, songwriter, Erica Padilla as the Eurovision: Australia Decides TikTok Wildcard winner.

She completes the line-up of artists set to compete on the Gold Coast vying for their chance to represent Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Italy.

She joins previously announced acts Evie Irie and Isaiah Firebrace, Sheldon Riley, Paulini,  Jaguar Jonze, G-NAT!ON, Andrew Lambrou, Charley, the Seann Miley Moore, Voyager, and Jude York.

Padilla attracted millions of views across her Eurovision TikTok Wildcard submissions and grew her following to more than 1.2 million fans across the world.

Erica Padilla said: “I feel like somebody needs to pinch me because I always hoped but never thought this could actually be possible! Eurovision has made some of the greats and to be chosen as the TikTok Wildcard gives me so much hope. From performing to my phone in my bedroom to performing at Eurovision: Australia Decides and potentially the biggest stage in the world this year in Italy – now that would be a dream come true.”

Ollie Wards, Director of Music TikTok Australia / New Zealand, said: “Australian artists are finding fans and being discovered on TikTok. Eurovision is one of the world’s most loved music moments with the power to create global stars, so it’s exciting to bring the two together and see the incredible Erica Padilla enter the competition as our TikTok Wildcard. We’re already so proud to support Erica onto this stage and no doubt her millions of TikTok followers as well as new fans are going to get behind her.”

Dylan Lewis, will also be joining Joel Creasey and Myf Warhurst as Eurovision: Australia Decides’ first-ever Green Room host.

“I live for music. I write it, perform it, teach it, collect it, present it, talk about it and need it. Since hosting the Recovery music show back in the day, I’ve presented a pile of other music TV shows and done a pile of radio too…playing music. Yep. I bloody love music. So to get to be involved in the world’s most eclectic, colourful, diverse and magical music show is a dream!” said Lewis.

“Yes. I’m excited to announce that this year, I’ll get to bring a little bit of mayhem and a whole lotta love to Eurovision: Australia Decides. Wooo! I’ll leave Myf and Joel to do the hard work, while I get to join the party reporting with all the action straight from the green room, to you! I’ve always been passionate about supporting local artists, and I’m so glad we can showcase our talents to the world on the Eurovision stage. I can’t wait to see who’ll go on to represent Australia in 2022. Let’s do this.🤘”

Montaigne also returns to the Gold Coast stage as a guest artist.

Montaigne said: “It will be fun to perform Technicolour again for the first time in ages, especially to the audience who cares about it so much. I’m also excited to intro all these new artists to the world of Australia Decides and Eurovision-at-large! I think it’ll just be a really neat night.”

SBS can also reveal three new songs following their exclusive teaser drops on TikTok this week: Evie Irie and Isaiah Firebrace’s When I’m With You, Paulini’s We Are One and Jaguar Jonze’s Little Fires.

Evie Irie and Isaiah Firebrace said: “We are super stoked that When I’m With You is out today!!! We have been waiting to release this song for almost a year now and it’s surreal that people are finally going to hear it after all this time. Neither one of us could have imagined that a random day in the studio together would turn into the chance to go all the way to Italy for Eurovision 2022, and would take us on this wild journey together.”

Paulini: “The world is hurting so it’s time to bust out with a little hope, unity and joy. There’s no better way to do that than with big sounds, and some big notes,” Paulini said of the track written by songwriters Rick Price and John Capek. I’m tired of being the person of colour, Australians are tired of lockdowns due to the pandemic, and the world is tired of being divided by religion and fear. It’s time to remind everyone that we are all humans standing on the same Earth, breathing the same air.”

Jaguar Jonze said: “Little Fires is a reminder about where we’ve come from, what we are fighting for, and what we can achieve when we work together. And, it’s a reminder that we are not alone. I wanted my Eurovision song to be for those moments where it was hard to stay strong, for those times I felt overwhelmed by what I had taken on.”

“I am constantly defining what vulnerability means to me. Growing up, vulnerability was seen as a weakness, but now to me, I see vulnerability as strength. And I’m seeing this reflect in my lyrics and songwriting. Little Fires is a moment for me to share a vulnerable side of me that I haven’t before.”

Andrew Lambrou’s Electrify is set to drop on February 11, Sheldon Riley’s Not The Same will be released on February 15 and Seann Miley Moore’s My Body will be released soon. Teasers: G-NAT!ON’s Bite Me and Charley’s I Suck At Being Lonely.

SBS Head of Entertainment, Emily Griggs, said, “Through this competition, SBS sets out to uncover and celebrate the depth and breadth of Australian music and this year we’ve done exactly that. The TikTok Wildcard winner Erica Padilla completes the line-up for the third ever Eurovision – Australia Decides bringing with her a unique sound and enthusiasm. The new song releases reveal that the performances will potentially send shivers up your spine, warm your heart or get you dancing.”

“SBS is also thrilled to welcome Dylan Lewis. His unique experience in both music and broadcasting make him a wonderful addition to our team.”

Creative Director of Eurovision: Australia Decides, Paul Clarke, said: “Erica is really exciting. She has drama. That’s the one prerequisite for a great Eurovision performance. I’m sure we can do something really memorable together at Australia Decides.”

The winner will be revealed during the Live TV Final which will be broadcast exclusively on SBS and SBS On Demand on Saturday 26 February.