Australia’s representative for this year’s annual Eurovision Song Contest — Marty ‘Go-Jo’ Zambotto — has been booted out of the competition during the show’s semi-finals.
Zambotto performed his song “Milkshake Man”, written by Zambotto, Amy Sheppard, George Sheppard, and Jason Bovino.
Zambotto is originally from West Australia, although he currently resides in Sydney.
The song was written as an anthem for self-confidence and self-expression, with Zambotto performing the tune in a glitzy powder-blue jumpsuit, alongside a giant blender. Freddie Mercury would be proud!
Sadly, it seems like only Kelis can put out a successful song about milkshakes. Or, maybe, the world can only handle one milkshake-inspired banger per generation?
“I think one of the most meaningful things is making them proud, and obviously Australia,” Zambotto told SBS News ahead of his performance.
“It’s such a big thing for me. Just seeing everyone smile at the end of everything, I think that’s a big win.”
You’re the real winner in our hearts, Go-Jo!! (Source: Getty Images)
Australia wasn’t the only country to depart the song competition before the finals, as fellow contestants Ireland, Serbia, Georgia, Montenegro, and Czechia have also been told to leave the stage during the competition’s semi-finals.
The countries that are going ahead to the Eurovision final include Lithuania, Armenia, Denmark, Austria, Luxembourg, Finland, Malta, Latvia, Greece, and — controversially — Israel.
Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest has sparked debate due to the ongoing war in Gaza, with more than 70 former Eurovision contestants signing an open letter earlier this month asking for the country to be banned.
The ‘Big Five’ of Eurovision and the competition’s biggest financial backers — France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, and Italy — have guaranteed spots in the finals, as well as host country Switzerland which won the contest last year.
The Eurovision finals will be held on May 17, in Basel, Switzerland. It will be broadcast live on SBS On Demand.
