SBS picks viral TikTok pop star and stream dream Go-Jo for 2025 Eurovision Song Contest

In a wildly unexpected choice, a pop artist who went viral with his busking videos is heading to Eurovision to represent Australia.

Australia’s Team Eurovision has gone rogue with their selection for our representative at this year’s singing Olympics in Switzerland.

Instead of sending an established pop star or act from one of their previous Australia Decides shows, SBS has tapped rising French-Australian artist Go-Jo to perform at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest.

The pop singer and producer has built a global fanbase over the past two years with his infectious pop gem Mrs Hollywood, after a TikTok video of him playing it on his guitar to random people on Bondi Beach blew up in America.

That song now has more than 60 million streams with his hilarious busking videos generating more than 20 million likes on TikTok.

Go-Jo has teamed with his independent labelmates Sheppard, who were rumoured among fans to be a front-runner for this year’s spot, to write the catchy novelty song Milkshake Man to perform in Basel in May.

Go-Jo will perform his song Milkshake Man at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest. Picture: Damian Shaw

“Being asked to represent your country, it’s the most honourable, coolest, exciting thing and I just love Eurovision for being so Eurovision,” he said.

“It’s one of the greatest places to express yourself and sometimes I don’t feel like I can do that in the music that I release typically as much as I get to with Eurovision.”

Go-Jo grew up off the grid with his family in Western Australia before relocating to Sydney a couple of years ago to pursue his music career.

His father is French and the artist’s dual nationality may have factored into SBS’s strategy for Eurovision 2025.

Go-Jo’s breakout song Mrs Hollywood went viral thanks to his busking videos. Picture: Supplied.

While Australian contestants have always found favour with the expert juries, they have struggled to win votes from the television viewers who are still bemused by our 10-year presence in the European competition.

Go-Jo’s family connection – and the clever use of some French lyrics in Milkshake Man - could swing some fan votes our way in 2025.

The song will also strike a chord with childhood nostalgia as it opens with a sample of Greensleeves, the soundtrack of ice-cream trucks around the world.

“Dad being French, I wanted to lean into that a lot – I have my passport as well – so that was a big reason behind the French lyrics in the song,” he said.

“But you can’t dictate votes; maybe they won’t like milkshakes.”

@heyimgojo

first time playing my original song & didn't expect a reaction like that at the end 🥰 #publicsinging#reaction#music#streettalk

♬ Mrs. Hollywood - Go-Jo

One of the hilarious features of his live performance videos has been the “Free Broccoli” signs with bunches of the superfood at his feet which he encourages fans to take away after watching him play.

He said that novelty gag has been an expensive gimmick during the cost of living crisis when broccoli prices skyrocketed.

“I remember the time when I first started it, broccoli had never been that pricey. I’ve got videos of it where it’s like $12 a kilo,” he said.

“When I put it the broccoli on the sign, I was curious to see if people were actually gonna take it but it got to the point as soon as I put it down, people would just grab it. I did hide the broccoli.”

This is Australia’s 10th year competing in Europe. Dami Im has been our most successful candidate, narrowly missing out on the win in 2016.

Eurovision 2025 kicks off in Basel on May 13.

Go-Jo will be competing in the second semi-final, with all the action broadcast on SBS live and on demand.

Originally published as SBS picks viral TikTok pop star and stream dream Go-Jo for 2025 Eurovision Song Contest