Why Sheldon Riley is tipped to live Eurovision dream

Gold Coast-raised singer Sheldon Riley, who rose to fame on The Voice, is the odds-on favourite heading into the Eurovision – Australia Decides live show tonight

Sheldon Riley is tipped to live his dream of representing Australia at Eurovision when the national selection show takes place on the Gold Coast.

Gold Coast-raised Riley, who rose to fame on The Voice, was the odds-on favourite heading into the live show, broadcast on SBS on Saturday night, which will see 11 acts compete to represent Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest in Italy in May.

“It (Eurovision) means the world. It really changed my life,” said Riley, who was inspired by 2014 Eurovision winner, Austria’s Conchita Wurst.

“It proved to me there is a market and an audience for what I do.”

Australia’s 2022 Eurovision betting favourite Sheldon Riley, who is originally from the Gold Coast. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

Riley wrote his song, Not The Same, when he was 18 based on a message he’d written to himself when he came out as gay, but never planned to release it.

“I thought it’s too personal, it’s too vulnerable,” he said.

“But they (SBS) loved it and I was like all right … this song that I never thought I’d share with anyone, has become the song. I’m really proud of it and it means a lot to be able to sing it.”

“It’s so beautiful and really exciting. I have my crystal mask that I’m wearing and it feels like this fairytale or imagination I’ve always had that’s coming to life.”

Sheldon Riley Picture: supplied

After a pause during the pandemic, the Australia Decides contest features a host of Queensland names including Toowoomba newcomer Jude York, Brisbane activist and multi-instrumentalist Jaguar Jonze and singer-songwriter Charley

They’ve added the first duet, pairing Isaiah Firebrace with breakout punk pop artist Evie Irie and the first metal entry through five-piece Voyager as well as girl group G-Nat!on.

Other contenders include Paulini, Andrew Lambrou, Sean Miley Moore and Tik Tok wildcard entrant Erica Padilla.

The live TV final will take place at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on Saturday from 7:30pm with the winner to be announced following the public vote.

Originally published as Why Sheldon Riley is tipped to live Eurovision dream