Goodrem and Romanian Metal Act Advance to Eurovision Final Amidst Geopolitical Tensions

Australian singer Delta Goodrem and a Romanian metal act have secured their places in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 grand final, following the second semi-final held in Vienna on Thursday. The results, determined by a combination of public televoting and professional juries, confirm that Goodrem and Romania will join ten other nations in Saturday’s showpiece at the Wiener Stadthalle.

The qualifiers include Albania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Malta, Norway, and Ukraine. Denmark’s Soren Torpegaard Lund advanced with his club anthem "For Vi Gar Hjem", while Finland is currently considered the overall favourite for the final. Conversely, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Latvia, Luxembourg, and Switzerland were eliminated from contention.

Goodrem delivered a theatrical performance of her power-ballad "Eclipse", featuring a glittering piano that elevated her into the air as sparks fell from the ceiling. The 41-year-old, who has represented Australia by invitation since 2015, stated that carrying the nation with her in every note was a deep personal commitment. Her seventh studio album, 'Pure', is scheduled for release on 6 November.

Romania’s entry, titled "Choke Me", is a heavy rock track that sparked minor controversy regarding its lyrics prior to the performance. Singer Alexandra Capitanescu, a physics master’s student, defended the song’s meaning, explaining that the "anatomical heart" represents vulnerability and intense, physical emotions rather than classic romance.

The 2026 contest, marking its 70th anniversary, has proceeded amid significant geopolitical tension. Five countries, including Ireland, Iceland, Spain, Slovenia, and the Netherlands, boycotted the event in protest of Israel’s participation and the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza. Despite the controversy, Eurovision director Martin Green described the event as a message to the world, noting the contest has "given a voice to the voiceless" for seven decades.

The grand final will air on SBS On Demand in Australia from 5AM AEDT on Sunday 17 May.