Mixed reactions after the first Australian rehearsal: “Not a contender for victory”

Jessica Mauboy and Paul Clarke

The opinions are divided in the press centre, after the first Australian rehearsal in Lisbon. On one thing everybody seems to agree though: Jessica Mauboy is not a contender for victory (anymore).

“The vocals are good, strong and energetic,” says John Lucas from ESCInisight. “But it has not the staging vibe of a winner, being alone all the time. It is not a contender for victory.”

Martijn van der Veen from Eurovision Artists The Netherlands is more optimistic though: “I am pretty positive about the rehearsal. You don’t LED-screens and dancers to have a dynamic moving performance. And that is what Jessica had.”

Room for improvement for Australia

Sofabet gambler Daniel Gould has some ideas on what Australia can still improve this year. “I would have her backing singers join her, make the stage less dark and more engagement with the camera in stead of more little dance moves”