EUROVISION hopeful Brooke Scullion has told how having a bit part in an episode of Derry Girls whetted her appetite for acting.
But the 23-year-old singer/songwriter from Bellaghy, Co Derry, wants to do Ireland proud in Turin first.
Brooke said she can’t wait to perform her sassy number That’s Rich in the semi-final on May 12 – and she secretly wants Ukraine to win.
She told the Irish Sunday Mirror: “I’m feeling excellent. I’m buzzing.
“I run a lot to get my stamina up for singing and dancing and I do gymnastics.
“Ireland’s never had an entry like this before and hopefully it’ll change the game for us.
“A lot of people are taking us seriously now and that’s a really good feeling.
“But I’m in a really tough category for the semi-final.
“Hopefully the people at home will enjoy my performance enough to vote for me.”
That’s Rich appears to take a pop at a former boyfriend but Brooke insisted it’s not about one particular individual or experience.
She said: “It was the first song I ever wrote, it was a generic song about different experiences with five different people.
“They were all similar in the sense they were situationships. I’m so glad I’m independent now. I can respect myself now.
“The song relates to everyone in any kind of relationship... I’d say this is the happiest I’ve ever felt.”
“[Feminism] is all about equality, it’s something I’ve always done as a child.
“That’s Rich promotes independence and sticking up for your inner child.
“I stand for equality, everyone’s going to think what they think but I hope the true meaning of my song will inspire some people.”
Brooke is hoping her quirky style and tongue-in-cheek delivery will get her noticed, though some viewers hit out at her “cheap” outfits on RTE’s Late Late Show.
However, Ireland’s first Eurovision winner, fellow Derry girl Dana, has publicly backed Brooke’s zany PJs and teddy look and reckons it will take her to the final.
Brooke added: “You’re winning either way, it’s when they don’t talk about you that you have to get worried.
“A lot of stuff I wear on stage is my own wardrobe. It’s class because a lot of people used to slag me at home... I feel I’ve earned the right to wear them.
“Anything colourful I’ll have it on my back and on my feet, socks are a main categories for me. I love them.
“I played with Barbies till I was 16. I’m still a child in my head and there’s nothing wrong with that.
“I designed the outfit I’m wearing for the Eurovision, apparently everyone leaks the rehearsals on Monday so you’ll all see my outfit [then].” As for earning a coveted endorsement from the All Kinds of Everything chanteuse herself?
She said: “It adds another level of cementing the feeling that I’m doing the right thing.
“You have a legend like that who won the contest and is from my county, it’s mega.
“It’s such a cool position to be in, she’s given me loads of cool advice too.
“She told me once you start focusing on other people, you lose sight of what it is and it’s a singing contest at the end of the day, so you need to be focused. I’ve just made friends with people which is awesome, I haven’t treated it like a competition at all. It’s a free concert, too.”
Bookies dampened the optimism this week quoting long odds of 175/1 on Ireland to win, with Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra hot favourites tipped to get sympathy votes.
Brooke, who rates Dolly Parton as her all-time music idol, added: “My favourite is Albania’s entry with Ronela singing Sekret.
“She’s fab, I also love Romania, Poland and Australia.
“I love Ukraine’s song [Stefania] and it’s really powerful. You’d nearly feel it’s an honour that they’re there.
“The whole arena has this complete and utter sense of pride that they’ve made it to the competition.
Music really does transcend all, it brings people together. If they won I’d be so happy for them – for me I just want to make it to the final.”
And while most people might recognise Brooke from The Voice UK she revealed how she’d had a one-line cameo appearance in iconic Channel 4 comedy Derry Girls.
She said: “That’s my claim to fame, I was in the second season and had the famous line, ‘Protestants love cleaning’.
“I have to be honest and say Jamie-Lee O’Donnell [who plays gobby Michelle] is my favourite, because she follows me on Instagram. I wouldn’t mind becoming an actress and maybe creating my own series.
“If I wasn’t a singer I’d like to work in fashion or in acting.
“Every moment you are working as an artist is a gift. I’m working as hard as I can to keep it forever.”
But for now it’s all eyes on Turin as Brooke and her family fly to Italy tomorrow for the 68th Eurovision Song Contest.
She added: “Zac my wee brother was like, ‘When are you going’? I said Monday. He said, ‘Not long now’, he’s thinking of the family holiday.
“They’re all going, even my nieces who aren’t even one yet are going. It’s going to be crazy.”
