Hoppers Crossing singer Erica Padilla says she felt like she was dreaming after being announced as a finalist for the Eurovision Australia Decides event.
The Filipina-Australian performer, 20, will join 10 other musical artists on stage for the show, to be broadcast live on SBS on Saturday, February 26 at 8.30pm.
A public vote will decide who, out of all the singers, will represent Australia at the 2022 Eurovision song contest in Turin, Italy.
Padilla was selected as a finalist for the event after she entered the TikTok Wildcard competition, which resulted in one of her videos recording more than 26 million views.
She will perform an original song for Eurovision Australia Decides.
“It’s a song about empowerment and motivation” Padilla said.
“I wrote it with my sister Isabela Padilla and my best friend Ally Eley in two days so that I was able to pitch it in time.”
Padilla said she grew up in a musical family, singing in the church choirs of St Peter’s Parish and St James, which are both in Hoppers Crossing.
She studied at Mackillop College in Werribee, taking part in school musicals such as The Little Mermaid and Rock of Ages, and placed second in a Weerama talent competition as a teenager.
“I am so passionate about singing, that getting to perform is so exciting and thrilling,” Padilla said.
“I feel like it’s such a rewarding passion because you put blood, sweat and tears into it and every win just feels magical and like it’s paid off.”
Details: TikTok: @ericapadillla, Instagram: @ericapadillla, Spotify: Erica Padilla
By Alesha Capone
