Australia: Interview with Sheldon Riley | From The Voice Australia to pouring his heart out on Australia Decides 2022!

After being chosen for this year’s national final, Australia Decides 2022, Sheldon Riley speaks exclusively to EurovisionFun and Apostolos Bogiannos and Apostolis Matamis.

Sheldon is one of the finalists for Australia’s national final for Eurovision 2022 and will try to represent his country with the song “Not the Same”

I’m a big fan of Eurovision from when I was a kid and i always wanted to be part of it, and the national final is the first step to represent my country. It’s the right time. i wrote this song a few years ago. The lyrics reflect how I evolved and reached the point I am right now. It was not written for Eurovision from the beginning, it was a personal song I always wanted to sing. When the submissions on SBS were open, I felt that it was right to submit the song and I didn’t want to make any changes.  

Known for his spectacular appearances, Sheldon talked about his thoughts on his appearance in the national final:

It will be something big, if you have seen me in the past, I draw inspiration from James Bond. It will be cinematic and pretty dark. Music and staging will mix together perfectly. I am excited about my performance.

Sheldon can’t wait for the competition while he want to listen the other competing songs. He considers himself to be his greater enemy.

Eurovision is a childhood dream, as well as him taking part in The Voice Australia, he wants to not only take part in a competition but the presentation of a song in total using the creativity that comes from him.

His favorite Australian contestant is Dami Im (2016). While from the competition in general, the participants that stand out for him are Barbara Pravi (France 2021) and Conchita Wurst (Austria 2014)

I wanted to start singing thanks to Amy Winehouse, I wanted to start writing music thanks to Adele and I wanted to start presenting something on stage like Lady Gaga. With my participations on The Voice Australia and America’s Got Talent I wanted to offer myself to the world. I am already known in Europe, America and Asia.

“Not the Same” will be available on February 15.

Watch the whole exclusive interview of Sheldon Riley in the following video: