Australia has officially selected its Eurovision 2025 entry, and this year, the honor goes to TikTok sensation Go-Jo, also known as Marty Zambotto, who will perform his new song, "Milkshake Man." With the prestigious Eurovision Song Contest taking place from May 13 to May 17, 2025, in Basel, Switzerland, excitement is building around this year's selection.
Go-Jo, who burst onto the music scene with his viral hit "Mrs. Hollywood," has amassed over 60 million streams and one billion views online. His ascent to stardom began with a simple TikTok clip showcasing his unique performance style, which includes playing guitar on a unicycle. Reflecting on this incredible opportunity, Go-Jo expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "It’s an absolute dream come true to represent such a beautiful and diverse nation, and I’ve never been more excited to share my art and vision with the incredible Eurovision fans around the world!"
Music journalist Jane Gazzo weighed in on the selection of "Milkshake Man," noting the song's polarizing nature. "It’s so bad it’s good," she remarked on 3AW Breakfast, highlighting the potential for the track to resonate with audiences. This abstract nature may provide the edge needed to clinch success at Eurovision, which has often favored entries with unconventional appeal.
SBS, the Australian broadcaster for the event, aimed to capture the attention of next-generation audiences by selecting Go-Jo rather than opting for more traditional or previously recognized pop acts. Emily Griggs, head of entertainment at SBS, noted: "To mark 10 years of Australia participating in Eurovision, we wanted to do something out of the box!" She added, "Go-Jo's infectious song, Milkshake Man, will have audiences dancing and humming non-stop!"
Go-Jo hails from the small Western Australian town of Manjimup, where he grew up in an off-grid house built by his father, emphasizing the creativity sparked by such unique surroundings. His humble beginnings and diverse upbringing have fueled his desire to inspire others through music. He believes the purpose of "Milkshake Man" is to "inspire people to embrace the loudest and proudest version of themselves."
The song was crafted alongside the members of Australian pop band Sheppard—George Sheppard, Amy Sheppard, and Jason Bovino—which adds to the excitement surrounding its release. The music video, directed by Josh Harris, also brings additional visibility to Go-Jo's infectious style.
Australia's history with Eurovision has been mixed but rich, with the country celebrating its 10th anniversary of participation this year. Since its entry began with Guy Sebastian's performance of "Tonight Again" back in 2015, Australia has become known for its innovative and engaging entries. Notably, Dami Im's second-place finish with "Sound of Silence" remains one of the nation's best performances to date, even as Australia faced severe setbacks, such as being unable to compete live during the COVID era.
Paul Clarke, Australia's creative director for the Basel contest, recognized Go-Jo's unique connection with audiences from the get-go. "We know he'll get a lot of love from the Eurovision community. This year, we are celebrating Australia’s 10th Eurovision entrant, and this one will go off with a bang!" Clarke is confident about the fresh sound and style brought by "Milkshake Man," which signals new horizons for the nation at Eurovision.
Fans and commentators have high hopes for Go-Jo's performance, particularly after Australia suffered non-qualification at the 2024 competition. That year, Electric Fields failed to make it through with their song "One Milkali (One Blood)." The antics surrounding Go-Jo's energetic performances and the boldness of "Milkshake Man" could very well shift the tides for Australia this time around.
Eurovision continues to thrill audiences worldwide, often showcasing groundbreaking creative storytelling through music. With the upcoming competition, Australians will tune in live on SBS and SBS On Demand to watch how Go-Jo navigates this global stage and if his distinct sound can capture the hearts of Europe.
Whether "Milkshake Man" becomes another chapter of success for Australia at Eurovision remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure—Go-Jo is set to make waves on the music scene like never before.