Queer karaoke idol on song

Crowned Australia’s 2010 Karaoke World Champion in July, openly gay finance worker by day and karaoke superstar by night Luke Kelly is preparing to represent his country at the World Karaoke Championships in Moscow next month. Australians, Kelly is the closest we have to a Eurovision entrant.
“The judging isn’t in the same fashion thankfully, so at least the UK has a chance,” Kelly joked to Sydney Star Observer.
“But from everything I’ve heard, the event is in that whole [Eurovision] vibe, which is quite exciting — various countries all rallying and supporting their entrant.”
Performances of songs like Shirley Bassey’s I Who Have Nothing helped Kelly earn his national title, but he was staying tight-lipped on what he had planned for Moscow.
“I’ll be pulling some new numbers out of the bag, which I can’t reveal at this stage. It’s likely I’ll be doing a couple of the songs from the national championship again, but I can’t give it away yet — it’s got to be a surprise on the night.”
Given that a Shirley Bassey song helped him take the national title, it would seem Kelly is unafraid of injecting a bit of camp into the competition.
“It is a Shirley Bassey song, but I wouldn’t say my version is reminiscent of hers — I’m not channelling Shirley. It’s not a Trevor Ashley-type performance,” he laughed.
Kelly would reveal one secret weapon for success in Moscow — his partner of 11 years and biggest supporter, Simon.
“He’s been so supportive, to the point of losing his voice from cheering when I won the national championship. He’ll be there in Moscow, cheering me on.”

info: The Karaoke World Championships will be held in Moscow, September 23-25. Keep up-to-date at www.kwc.fi