Guess which huge international star is bound for the Birdcage for Melbourne Cup?
Work is underway to bring one of the biggest pop stars in the world to Melbourne Cup off the back of Sam Smith’s performance in 2018.
Confidential
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Pop superstars Taylor Swift, Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello are in talks to perform at this year’s Melbourne Cup.
Promoter Michael Gudinski and the Victoria Racing Club have pitched to Swift, Mendes and Cabello, with the global chart-toppers “interested” in singing at the race that stops the nation.
It would be a massive coup to land pop icon Swift, whose new album Lover is number one worldwide, or power couple Mendes and Cabello, blitzing the charts with their duet, Señorita.
But Gudinski, who is in London, stressed that talks with Mendes, Cabello and Swift are continuing and “nothing is confirmed’’. He had no further comment.
Popular Melbourne singer Vance Joy, who was a support act on Swift’s 1989 world tour, and rising stars The Teskey Brothers are also being considered as acts to perform on Cup Day.
But the pitch presented to Mendes, Cabello and Swift includes two songs, to be performed in the mounting yard, which is broadcast to five million viewers locally, and 700 million worldwide.
Grammy-winning British singer Sam Smith performed at the Melbourne Cup last year.
Insiders say Gudinski “delivered big” with Smith, and the VRC is keen to entice mega-talents like Swift, Mendes and Cabello to bring superstar sizzle to the event.
“It’s a great opportunity because the Melbourne Cup is an event that is broadcast worldwide. It’s only two songs, so they’re not doing a whole show,” an insider said. “Sam set such a great precedent, and (Swift, Mendes and Cabello) are interested.”
Mendes is touring Australia during Spring Racing Carnival, with shows at Rod Laver Arena on October 29, 30 and 31, Sydney on November 2 and 3 and Brisbane on November 6.
All that hard work has earned Mendes a day off from concerts on November 5: Melbourne Cup Day.
“The VRC runs the greatest carnival in the world,” an insider said. “The Melbourne Cup is worth 10 times the broadcast exposure of (the British racing event) Royal Ascot.”
Last year, a delighted Smith said he was “so excited” to perform at the Melbourne Cup.
In response to Smith’s comments, VRC CEO Neil Wilson said: “It’s only fitting we welcome one of entertainment’s biggest stars to Flemington for the celebration.
“Fans flock to the Melbourne Cup Carnival not just for the world-class racing but also the fantastic atmosphere.”
