Derry girls support Brooke in battle for Eurovision success

She stormed our screens at The Voice UK two years ago and her stunning audition resulted in all four judges jumping for their buzzers, including legendary singer Tom Jones.

However, Brooke Scullion faces her biggest challenge yet when she represents Ireland at this year’s Eurovision, the 66th song contest to be held in Turin, Italy.

The honor is a double whammy for the singer from Bellaghy, Co Derry, who will perform her catchy song. this is rich.

The 23-year-old has found solace in Derry singer Dana, who made history as Ireland’s first Eurovision winner in 1970 All kinds of everything.

“Dana was absolutely amazing. She wrote to me in full force, and that really lifted my spirits,” Scullion said.

“She has contacted me several times just to encourage me and remind me not to give up.

“It can be so discouraging when you don’t do well on these things, but she said, ‘Don’t worry – a happy life is better than a successful career.’

“She understands how it works and I know I can ask her for advice if something gets overwhelming.”

Actress Jamie-Lee O’Donnell, who plays feisty Michelle on the hit sitcom Derry girlsShe also conveyed her good wishes quickly.

“Jamie sent me a message saying, ‘We Derry girls have to stick together’. She uploaded a post on her social media. She’s excellent,” Scullion said.

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Another famous supporter is Grammy winner Meghan Trainor, who continued to mentor Scullion The voice.

“Meghan buzzes for me,” she said. “There’s no other person who wants me to do it as well as they do. She really cares and is probably proud because she’s the one who gave me my chance.”

Scullion believes the Eurovision Song Contest was her last chance at fame, saying: “I came third The voice in 2020 and I was like, ‘Wow – this is the start of my career’. But when I got home, the phone never rang.

“We were in a pandemic and there were no options. I quickly realized that the only way to make money as an artist is to perform live. I started writing music and this is rich was the first song I wrote. It just rolled off the tongue.

“I knew it had potential, but it was also my last chance. I had already done a competition, even if I hadn’t won The Late Late Show Eurovision Special I felt like my dreams weren’t going to come true and maybe music wasn’t for me.”

That wasn’t the case, and the singer beat five other hopefuls on the night to book her ticket to Turin.

It is the first time in seven years that the Irish public has been involved in the selection of the country’s Eurovision song and this aspect of the process gave Scullion a huge boost.

“It’s really cool that I got this public vote because I feel a little bit more confident having Ireland behind me, so I have less to worry about,” she said.

Excitement is simmering in Turin ahead of next week’s competition.

“I arrived on Monday, but most people will land next week – it’s going to be huge,” Scullion said. “I’m staring at a beautiful fountain and there are banners all over the streets. Everyone knows that Eurovision is coming.

“It’s a very authentic city where everyone is a local. I don’t know how else to describe it, but it’s a special place.”

Scullion will compete in the semifinals on Thursday. If she is successful, she will sing in the final next Saturday.