UPDATE
Mark Vincent came in 7th place, missing out to winner Kate Miller-Heidke for her song Zero Gravity. Vincent scored 19 jury points and 19 public vote points, totalling 38 points, to Miller-Heidke’s 135 points. Runner-up was Sheppard with their song On My Way.
“This was such an amazing experience,” Vincent told his fans on social media. “Seeing how much talent we have in Australia was incredible. Congrats Kate Miller-Heidke on your triumph!
“I can’t wait for the rest of 2019 - many more exciting announcements to share with you soon!”
EARLIER
Sutherland Shire singer and international tenor Mark Vincent gave a haunting performance in his battle to win Australia’s vote to be the next Eurovision representative.
Vincent dazzled on stage at Gold Coast Convention Centre on Saturday night with his emotional performance of This Is Not The End, getting huge applause from the audience.
Comedian Joel Creasey, who co-hosted the show on SBS, described Vincent has having the “lungs of a rhino.”
The singer is the among the acts vying to be chosen by the nation to make it to the grand final of 2019 Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv, Israel, in May.
Over 700 songs were submitted and only 10 chosen.
Vincent is up against some tough competitors including bookies favourite Kate Miller-Heidke, drag queen Courtney Act, duo Electric Fields, and indie pop group Sheppard.
This is the first time Australia has a deciding hand in voting for their chosen performer.
“The outpouring of love I’ve received in this contest is overwhelming,” Vincent posted on social media.
“This has been an incredible journey with strong competition.
“Music is everything to me. To have the chance to be on Eurovision is a huge thrill because it’s personal. It’s something I think back on in my childhood, growing up watching it, so to have the chance to be on the show, that’s fantastic.”
Vincent was 10 years of age when he started singing in his grandfather’s Italian restaurant.
“I knew from that moment this was what I wanted to do,” he said.
“With this song I wanted to pay homage to my grandparents. The song showcases who I am as a person and what I’m about as an artist. To show Australia what I can do and how much I love what I do, means so much to me. It’s overwhelming.”
Vote for Mark Vincent by texting 3 to 1991 3773. You can vote up to 20 times until 15 minutes after the final song.