Delta Goodrem has divided viewers after taking centre stage during the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony in Glasgow. The Australian singer performed a medley of her biggest hits at the Hydro as the curtain came down on 10 days of competition.
Goodrem opened at the piano with Born to Try before moving through Sitting on Top of the World, Eclipse, Lost Without You and Wings. She also joined Scottish singer Cammy Barnes for a rendition of John Farnham's You're the Voice.
Some viewers questioned why the 41-year-old received more stage time than Scottish performers including Simple Minds, Sandi Thom, Bemz and Elephant Sessions. One viewer wrote that a Scottish or English singer should have been chosen instead.
Fans react online
Another viewer posted that it should have been a Scottish artist, adding that they had nothing against Goodrem but that the Australian government had given up on hosting the Games, which they called a disgrace. A third suggested organisers should have chosen someone from Glasgow, or England at least. One viewer, identifying as a Kiwi, said they liked Goodrem but could not understand why she was the first entertainer when Scotland should have had that role.
Other fans defended Goodrem. One pointed out she sang only three songs and was simply doing what she had been asked to do, noting she did not plan the ceremony herself. Another said it was great to have a performer of her calibre close out the Games and asked whether Australians were taking over as the world's biggest complainers. A third said they were happy an Australian sang three songs and thought it was nice that organisers invited a performer as good as Goodrem. Another praised her duet with Barnes, calling the rendition of You're the Voice with the bagpipes perfect.
Australia's Games connection
Goodrem's inclusion acknowledged Australia's connection to the Games, which were originally scheduled to be held across regional Victoria. Glasgow stepped in after the Victorian government withdrew as host and delivered the scaled-back event within 18 months.
The performance also marked 20 years since Goodrem sang Together We Are One at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006. She later appeared at the Gold Coast Games in 2018.
Goodrem on representing Australia
Ahead of the ceremony, Goodrem said it was always an enormous privilege to represent Australia. She said the Commonwealth Games had a strong connection to Australia, and since the Games were originally associated with Victoria, she felt proud to carry a piece of Australia with her to Glasgow. She added that after representing Australia at Eurovision this year, it was incredibly special to stand on an international stage again and celebrate the spirit, heart and unity of her country.
Goodrem also said most of her ancestors were Scottish and that her father's family had moved from Scotland to Bendigo in Victoria. She said Glasgow audiences were incredible and that she would return next year to start her world tour there. She recalled beginning her first European headline tour in Glasgow in 2023 and performing at Stirling Castle in 2024 with Shania Twain, calling both nights unforgettable.
How the Games ended
Australia finished on top of the medal table with 171 medals, including 70 gold, 45 silver and 56 bronze. Simple Minds closed the ceremony before fireworks lit up the River Clyde waterfront. The Commonwealth Games baton was then handed to Ahmedabad, India, which will host the next Games in 2030.
