Jessica Mauboy has completed her second on-stage rehearsal ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon, making some subtle tweaks to her performance.
“Everything seems to be going to plan so far, my rehearsals have been exactly what I’d imagine them to be. It’s been really overwhelming, emotionally overwhelming.”
The rehearsal is as much for the production teams as it is for the singer. Camera angles are finalised and lighting is adjusted to ensure the act looks as impressive as possible to the millions of viewers who will be watching around the world.
Mauboy is one of the few performers without dancers or on-stage back-up singers.
She told SBS News that means she must put more thought into choreography, something she’s not used to.
“When I’m performing, I’m normally just grooving to the music, whereas now, to go to that next level of a more dramatic performance, I’m adding choreography.”
“It elevates my performance, but I also have to work much harder. There’s a lot of practice involved.”
Mauboy ran through We Got Love three times, with her team giving notes between each performance. The host broadcasters made several changes to their camera selections to better convey the song’s energy.
Bookies had Australia in their top five before rehearsals began. Israel is now the runaway favourite, with Jess tipped to make it through the semi-final, but finish middle of the pack.
Not that she has any desire to monitor the Eurovision form guide.
“I get quite nervous and pressured when looking at the poll and seeing where everyone’s sitting, I’d rather not look and be a bit mysterious, and put all my energy into the performance.”
From The Netherlands’ crumping cowboys, to Moldova’s ménage-a-trois themed act, there’s plenty of the wackiness we’ve come to expect from Eurovision.
But the strangest occurrence at the Altice Arena today was the appearance of an American comedian.
Will Ferrell was there to watch the Swedish entrant Benjamin Ingrosso rehearse. He later posed for a photo with the 20-year-old singer of Dance You Off.
When asked by SBS News if he would like to speak to Australia, Mr Ferrell replied, ‘I’d like to speak to every country EXCEPT for Australia’. In jest, of course.
Jess Mauboy wlll be performing in the second semi-final on Friday May 11. Watch it live on SBS at 5am or live stream it on SBS On Demand.
