Vocal Coach Reacts to Sheldon Riley 'Not The Same' Australia Eurovision 2022

[@vickiewinstanley4468]

This is a self-penned song about his struggles growing up queer and diagnosed with Asperger's (on the Autism Spectrum). This is also the first time in about 4 years he will be singing without a face covering, which he uses to feel comfortable performing on stage, so it's a big moment for him outside of the song as well.

[@Diwwah]

In an interview he specifically said it wasn't about growing up being queer at all.

[@Luna-pt8tu]

Autistic people mask which means trying to hide autistic traits so he is wearing a mask with symbolises masking he did his whole live and the song is more about autism than being gay he said it in a interview

[@ohrusty]

@@Luna-pt8tu Yupyupityyupyup regarding the masking. It kind of hurts watching it,, but I think that's why it's so great. I didn't know about masking until I met my best friend 5 years ago. It hurts so bad that he has to "use it" so often.....

[@berka-i]

Poland and Australia both are my favorites. Absolutely loved them. ❤🇦🇺❤🇵🇱❤

[@izabellalambert]

Thx🥰

[@nikttaki8112]

My too 🇵🇱🤝🇦🇺

[@blattsee6095]

And Ukraine!!!

[@TheWziuum]

Mine too :) love to see collab Shledon - Ochman

[@ERTChimpanzee]

Slava Ukraini!

[@jakelashbrook6826]

Not ashamed to say that made me cry. Absolutely shook

[@sannev8407]

I love this, the music is so intense, his vocals are GREAT, and the lyrics are quite relatable, since I was bullied in my childhood as well. I love. this and the juries will love it too

[@KelseyMG6121]

This woman always makes me smile.

[@taniaphillips9766]

He's aspergers - we mask - its not as much a gimmick as a representation of his childhood , the fact he can take that mask off at the end shows his journey. He can be himself. This wasn't my fav at Australia Decide but it makes me cry every time because this is my childhood too, and my daughters. I've never seen us representated by one of our own and not played for laughs and written by some well meaning relative etc.

[@wellhi9700]

My absolute FAVOURITE so far! Well done Australia!🇦🇺🔥

[@creatingamy]

I've been waiting for this reaction!! I'm so glad you liked it. The lyrics are specifically about his experience as an autistic person, but they can relate to so many things :) The mask is his trademark, but also (in the context of this song) represents what many autistic people do everyday: masking. Therefore, it is very symbolic he takes it off at the end as a symbol of "unmasking". To those in the comments who say the emotion is fake: check your privilege. The trauma autistic people hold from living in a neurotypical society runs deep. He is being authentic. I, as an autistic person, am proud that Sheldon is representing our country and community on the world stage. He will do us ALL proud.

[@musicplanet5085]

Well said 👏

[@deltawho8002]

Haters are gonna hate! Some people are saying he has a wobbly voice, and this is just a meh ballard. One thing the haters have to realise is that this young man has vocal prowess, and no matter what staging he gets, his voice will pierce yr soul. My winner! Love from Sweden.

[@Eva-jq1tx]

He's my winner too, and also, how cool would it be if Australia wins this year?

[@imohsamuel4997]

His voice is heavenly 😍. 12 pts to Australia 🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@piotrostrachofficial]

No. For Poland 😊

[@pasi4188]

It´s my fave so far. I wanted Sheldon since years to go to eurovision. Now he goes.

[@96503412]

I think this is AMAZING. He wrote this song himself so he can sing and emote it however he wants. It is all real.

[@gionoite6157]

Sheldon has for years envisioned Eurovision in his dramatic homemade styling, epic emotion, and exceptional vocals. Maybe this is his year 💜

[@simeonxt]

Poland and Australia are both so stunning

[@izabellalambert]

Thx🥰

[@kacpilee6969]

I absolutely love this entry! It's my number 1

[@yeiformatos]

I LOVE SHELDON FROM SO MANY YEARS AGO... HE'S A REALLY HARD WORKING ARTIST! HE DESERVES TO WIN THIS EDITION, ABSOLUTELY!

[@katecarroll1692]

I can totally relate to this song as I'm sure a lot of people can. Cried the first time I heard it and then again at Australia decides. His performance was amazing!

[@looli1327]

Im so relieved to hear. I'm not the only one who cried the first time. I'm side eyeing the people who don't see it. Unfortunately, I think people see a queer man dressed up and think THEATRICAL but this is him in totality without farce. I don't relate to any specific issues they've likely dealt with but I 100% know that experience of feeling different. I'm a little surprised at the people who haven't known that pain and can't see it for what it is. The repetitive chorus is not from a lack of creativity. There's a point to it.

[@adamb4323]

Waiting for this review and you said what I think! I love how he perform and his voice since The Voice Australia. Really rooting for TOP3 in Turin. For me his song is very personal but it represents near everyone with struggles, pushing away from other people, bullying and I feeling this song so strong. For me everything is so perfect, staging, avangarde fashion and reveal.

[@robinwrld0]

i know ethnicity shouldn’t really matter in eurovision but im really happy to see an asian representing a country. im happy to know that there are other asians out there doing their thing because i dont see many where i live. good luck Sheldon. love from a fellow asian living in Sweden ❤️

[@vincentstef5708]

Australia also chose Dami Im whose South Korean in 2016!!

[@twinkleofmischief]

Based on his name alone I expected to see an Irish guy😁

[@vickiewinstanley4468]

Australia usually with send someone of ethnic diversity. Dami Im of 2016 was so of Asian heritage, and she came 2nd that year. The only person who has been more that white European heritage was Kate Miller-Heidke from 2019.

[@DrIvan-yi6lg]

@@vickiewinstanley4468 funnily enough I read that Kate is not completely white

[@escleo2420]

@@vincentstef5708 australia have also previously sent guy sebastian (malaysian-indian-portuguese parents), dami im (from a korean immigrant family), isaiah (aboriginal descent) and montaigne (argentinian father and filipino-chinese mother) :)

[@denisemoloney1751]

Sheldon should have won 🏆 his voice and song .. Magic

[@jcarbani]

He was my fav

[@BenStaniland]

He was on The Voice AU twice and he is exceptional. He was even more incredible the 2nd time round he did it and then AGT did him dirty so. LOVE HIM.

[@brock988]

Yess been waiting for this reaction! He is my winner at the moment

[@IdaB.E]

He has one of the best voices ever!! I just love everything about this song and Sheldon ❤️❤️ he should've won❤️❤️

[@akifadilovic6672]

You are amazing! I was waiting for your reaction and I am so happy that it's finally here. I am a huge Sheldon's fan and can't wait to see this performance at Eurovision. Hope he will win because he deserves it.

[@eurovisionworld2061]

Let's hope he'll do as good as he deserves. I feel like people usually don't vote for Australia just because they're not in Europe :(

[@gg454lune]

They were in the top 5 in their first two appearances. After that, it was rockier.

[@laurag.8558]

Beside last year Australia was always quite high in ranks..

[@robsch21]

Well but the juries really like Australia and they will definitely like them this year. So I’m guessing at least a top 5 finish for Australia

[@renemortensen5028]

indeed. Jury favored participant. Allways halvf/complete negleted by the televotes. And yes. It is mostly because of principal.

[@dacommiepanda3525]

@@laurag.8558 Think she means televote. Australia has tended to done poorly in the televote especially in comparison to the jury.

[@JanJuliusss]

Ive followed this artist for a few years.. He is totallu bringing the stage on fire🔥 He is so good live.. Also the singer has mask because of Asperger.

[@jessebleuel7772]

Sheldon Riley is simply amazing two seasons of the Voice Australia and One season of America's Got talent and Eurovision. He is simply amazing.

[@MarinaMarina-fr8ex]

I agree with you, maybe even my favorite this year!

[@ronschuurman800]

As a former Dutchman living in Australia I have hope for many years that we could be part of this amazing thing called Eurovision not to win but to be included, and the songs and acts we sent son far have been pretty good but this year is an OMG year.

[@gomezalic8515]

S10, representing the Netherlands also has a great song, in the top 10 so far. Great for you to have both countries so good represented this year!

[@annmcdaniel1092]

Sheldon puts his heart and soul into every song he sings!

[@ESCArthur]

My winner so far 😍🇦🇺

[@vincentesc]

It's been 4 years that I was waiting for him to go to Eurovision and finally it's time !! And honestly Sheldon has for me one of the best voice and vocals I have ever heard

[@okamilupoac95]

This year is Australias year ! 🇦🇺

[@Randomperson-cv4oo]

He broke down crying at the end of his winning performance, it was very emotional.

[@ESCedi]

Yesss!!! You have to take a look at Sheldon's The Voice Australia & America Got Talent Performances too tho... he's a video worth as his performances are always so powerful. Love him since I saw his The Voice Australia Performances and followed his career since and as he got revealed as a participant on Australia's national selection for Eurovision I screamed haha and now he won, this is so amazing. My first place so far!!!

[@stantwitter2022]

It was a good one indeed. Such an emotional performance. ♥️

[@sebastianb5113]

my winner this year! 12 points from Germany!!!!

[@jcakazzzmorfeozzz1633]

Sheldon Riley is INCREDIBLE. What a strong song for Australia

[@itsmejayse5594]

As an Australian I will be fully behind this song. Wow. Wow. Wow. Incredible.

[@celticbro1]

Stunning performance

[@katherinenarborough2662]

The first time I heard Australia's entry this year which was the National Final performance, not the studio version I was instantly drawn in like last year and 2020 with Gjon's Tears from Switzerland. Hearing Sheldon sing I felt every word he said and that's before I even read that he'd written the song himself about having Asperger's which I relate to having a cousin with that and my sister being autistic as well. Sheldon's song showcases him growing up gay in a religious family being moved from house to house and how he felt he didn't quite fit in school being bullied and things so, of course, the emotion Sheldon showed when singing was real because the song was personal to him even though the message can be interpreted with other things too naturally. This out of all the National Final songs was my favorite although the others were good within themselves I'm glad this won first and foremost. Having known Sheldon from the Voice before I knew his vocals would be good here. I also understood the importance of the mask being art as the man said recently in a Eurovision interview. Some people might want Sheldon to take that off earlier to connect with him more but I get why the reveal happens when it does because it's Sheldon accepting himself of course. Yes, the performance to some might've seemed overdramatic but as I previously mentioned the song was personal to Sheldon hence the crying. If people have followed Sheldon's career they'd know he's quite dramatic in his performances anyway. My male vocalist of the contest so far this year is divided between Sheldon, Ochman, Mahmood, and Nadir from Azerbajain. Jury wise this song might have a five-way split between Poland, the UK, Italy, and Azerbajain which it would do better in than televoting although I'd hope other countries showed their love for Australia like with Dami Im in 2016 and if a country who'd never won Eurovision did or one that hadn't for a long time it would be a nice change than something like Sweden again for instance. Whatever happens, I look forward to Sheldon's Eurovision performance and hope the staging proves fruitful so Australia makes it into the top 10 because this song deserves to be there in itself overall.

[@mehradnasiri]

Thats the winner of this year without a doubt…. I’ve known sheldon riley since 2018 when he appeared first on voice of Australia

[@asselbekbergenova333]

I lov Sheldon😍🥰🤩😘🤯💋

[@cianjones6657]

Hes honestly amazing, wouldn't be surprised if top 3

[@dexterie]

His voice is great.

[@heylinsworld6673]

Lovely reaction. You sum up pretty much all my feelings on this song here. I also love the emotion in his performance and i will die on the hill that it is a Good thing. This song is written and arranged to be emotional and I am okay with that emotion coming out in his performance of it, especially because this is the first time he has shared this song in full with a proper audience and that might have come into play as well. And this song and the story behind it is deeply personal to him so the emotion is justified. In my opinion, anyway. Good luck to him in Turin! I'm keen to see how the performance evolves for the Eurovision stage.

[@auraloredanapopescu17]

Omg, made me cry...is like I felt his pain...amazing, extrodinary, outstanding❤❤❤

[@chr1sd2000]

I love Sheldon and relate to these lyrics so much xx

[@Eggplant_Emoji]

Me too!

[@amp4146]

I have been a fan since The Voice Australia! He is so raw and emotional. Wonderful!

[@oscarhernandovargasromero5356]

I love it! Thank You so much!

[@jovana97-f3s]

Winner❤Sheldon is my absolute favourite, soo much emotion, passion, fragility everything in one performance! I have been following him over years and his voice is unique

[@kaisasyrjakangas5109]

Wow, this is my favourite thus far 😍 So much feeling and such a talented performer! Oh Georgina your nails are so spring-y 🥰

[@kazzablancatarot642]

Absolutely underrated artist! His time is coming 🙏🏼💜

[@pm137]

I was wondering when you would review this one. Perfect timing!

[@Eva-jq1tx]

12 points from Spain to Sheldon for such an amazing performance but also for being so brave. The song really touches the heart

[@lependu6423]

Easy top 5. Love this song so much. Might vote for it in the finals.

[@stantwitter2022]

I always loved Sheldon I've been following him since he was in The voice.

[@damienwhitton3182]

Sheldon is a brilliant singer his voice gives you goosebumps it’s just brilliant I love him

[@gg454lune]

Australia is back ! I loved "Tonight again", "Sound of silence" and "Don't come easy" and "We got love" was nice. I feel like everybody loves "Zero gravity" but me and about Montaigne's songs, I liked "Don't break me" but "Technicolour" not so much. Wait a minute; did he manage to deliver those last notes while he was crying?

[@Cassie_kitten90]

He sure did

[@stephanypasnin1474]

He was bullied growing up, he talks about it a lot. We so love Sheldon. Australia is behind you Sheldon

[@itsallaboutBruce]

For context Apparently it’s about his struggle with Asperger growing up. Love this song

[@MrKtosiu14792]

I'm polish, I find Ochman a great vocalist. But I'm all for Sheldon from the bottom of my heart. His voice melts me every time. If he doesn't win this one then it's rigged, eot ✌️

[@nightmarecreature4489]

robbed

[@Kris_96]

SHELDON IS JUST ON ANOTHER LEVEL!!!!!!!!!!

[@OzYank05]

Sheldon is an Aussie favourite. You should check out his The Voice Australia audition from a few years ago. He’s had lot of pain in regards to being accepted for who he is, this song reflects that. Also, his dad made most of his costumes on The Voice (Australia) from memory.

[@upfrontbear74]

My winner full stop 12 points from the UK.

[@Noneedtoknow12345]

My definite favorite from all the entries. I totally see Australia as a potential winner 👍🏼 Amazing song, vocal performance.. outstanding really. Plus he is not a regular man which is definitely a + when it comes to Eurovision votes hahah. I have a feeling this will be the winner if they don’t give it to Ukraine due to their sad situation atm:(.

[@winwinYTOfficial]

Incredible voice! The winner in advance!😘

[@florianmeier3186]

I think this was really underrated within the competition: a rather strong performance with lot's of heart. It was also somehow rather natural and honest like Dutch performance which I also liked. Maybe it suffered bit as "all men are crying dadly this year somehow" as Austrian commentator claimed. Although, I would not call it reall crying. On the other hand I did not get it why Spanish and Swedish acts scored so high. But that is normal at ESC: Sweden is always up and some scores are strange.

[@scanspeak00]

I would like to see some tweaking of the lyrics but overall very impressed. There’s a journey from being ashamed of not being the same to celebrating it. Love the staging and the lonely feeling created by the fans and the lighting, The outfit and the big reveal created such a moment that people will remember.

[@bradce979]

Australia is my first place this year (they have been in my top 10 since they started to compete in Eurovision), and this year I don't think any country can take their first place.

[@eyeshowyou]

Great voice...great song

[@James_Anderson_]

You know it's Georgina's favourite when she stops pausing each line and just lets the song play to the end like at 5:09

[@tamara4484]

impeccable interpretation, what a vocal support and what a connection with emotions, wow (Chanel my winner😜💃❤️)

[@fortymillioncoins9066]

Always BRILLIANT ANALYSIS!

[@lewisconroy2121]

He’s absolutely brillaint, followed him on the voice Australia. Sheldon riley. He sings a cracking cover of boy George’s do you really want to hurt me. Watch it Georgina abs do a video xx

[@bettye3811]

It's about not fitting in at school. The reference to his father is just that his father wants him to fit in, so he lies to him and says he does. Then gradually he finds other people who are also "not the same". I expect nearly all queer ppl can relate. As a nerd, I relate too.

[@potterpenguin7285]

I was so looking forward to your reaction to this. I knew you would love this 😊 great video

[@johnp.7252]

Amazing song along with Poland! My 2 favorites so far by a long distance from the rest. France will join my top 3 in a few days.

[@MeganDomenie]

OMG HES ON THERE?! Lol Ive watched him many times on the voice, love him, he never won :(

[@gabbrielafalador9181]

This is such an amazing song & performance! Easily my winner this year.

[@mateuszwawerla]

Poland and Australia best this year on this time

[@jeffmartin8952]

awesome Sheldon..🇦🇺

[@jflips_gym5464]

If you are wondering why he is so emotional when he takes his mask off, its because he doesn't normally take his mask off when performing (last time he did I know of was 4 years ago). It's a safe guard for him, and him taking it off in the song was more of a symbolism for him being fine with who he is "not being the same". Love from Australia 🇦🇺

[@mocko69]

This is competing with Brividi but I like this one more so far... And I'm Italian.

[@lukastemberger]

Ukraine will win though... But yeah, this year is shaping up to be a good one.

[@realStarTom]

YAYAYAYAYAY GO AUSTRALIA #1

[@lorettamonroe9029]

If your a vocal coach you’ve heard of or seen Sheldon Ryley before now so stop acting surprised. You know he is amazing!!!!!

[@thecarterfilez]

This is long overdue for him.. he was on The Voice Australia twice (made the finals) and American's Got Talent.

[@CustardCream22]

Much better than the wolf song. Outstanding!!!

[@drumsalive]

Sheldon rylie! Is amazing xx from down under x u should see the performances he did on the voice with our golden girl delta goodrem x best x

[@MrBrudbrud]

1. Australia 2. Poland..... 5. Italy .... 11. Norway

[@Martwy0Krzyk]

It’s so funny when all these vocal couches on KZbin pretend they haven’t seen the video they are reacting for before recording 😂😂😂

[@linus98765]

And how would you know that?

[@meritaalvesa4366]

my current Top 2. either him or Chanel from Spain could take the trophy

[@RE-ve7no]

All for Sheldon. He is amazing!

[@TheOutsider840]

If Australia wins Eurovision they have to nominate a European co-host, who stage it on their behalf. Eurovision will never be hosted in Australia unless there is a change to this rule.

[@jenellienostrabo]

I think it would only be right to give it to the runner up :)

[@nicolaminotti6692]

I remember him from America's Got Talent.

[@kenoathiog1156]

If Australia ever wins, I think we would need to partner with a Euro host country (UK?), as time zones & logistics would make it not feasible to have it in Oz

[@ERTChimpanzee]

I liked your video.

[@cian9350]

It’s this or Poland to win the jury vote no debate

[@marshmelows]

Uuhhh, Georgina has got the brividis ahah. For me it's 9/10, epic voice, awesome performance, huge respect for the whole package really, tremendous surprise Australia has here. My only critic is the chorus lyrics which are a bit the same, pun intended 😅

[@ohrusty]

First time watching any of your videos -- I liked your reaction.