Brooke Scullion on becoming Ireland's Eurovision 2022 representative: "Meghan Trainor FaceTimed me to say well done...still waiting on Nadine Coyle"

Last week, Brooke Scullion became the official representative of Ireland at the Eurovision Song Content 2022 with her song That's Rich.

An effervescent pop-rock bop inspired by the likes of Blondie, Brooke and That's Rich fought off competition from five other acts last Friday (February 4) on Ireland's live Eurosong, broadcast on RTE One's The Late Late Show. 

Having interviewed Brooke just before all the madness started, she was clearly one-to-watch in the competition, and will now be bringing all that ambition and dedication to the stage in Turin. But how is she feeling, now she's surpassed the first, big hurdle on her journey to (hopeful) Eurovision glory?

"I am buzzing," Brooke says, "turns out, all you needed was a good song and a wee bit of a cracking personality!" 

MORE: Read about how the UK will find its Eurovision act this year

Speaking about the nerve-wracking live broadcast, Brooke says her confidence on the night was thanks to a little lunch time trip to the pub that put everything in perspective. 

"It was really good for my head," she says. "I didn't let myself get the nerves. I wasn't nervous. I was like, I've done this so many times, I've rehearsed it within an inch of its life...I know exactly what I'm doing. It was just in the hands of other people."

And the Irish population clearly liked what they saw. And now, Brooke is already being drafted into rehearsals - before the Eurovision semis start at the beginning of May (here's hoping she gets the money guns she deserves for that live performance).

As a former contestant on The Voice UK too, Brooke just had to call her former mentor on the show, pop star Meghan Trainor, who was just as excited about what's to come next. 

"I didn't think she would answer," Brooke said, "but she opened it and was like 'I didn't know what the +44 number was!' It was un-real. She said 'this is it,' she was so excited for me. She's gas."

One person Brooke has yet to hear from, however, is Derry's favourite daughter and Girls Aloud member Nadine Coyle. But of course, with the big news, that could all change...

"Not yet but she will now because I'm representing the country," Brooke tells us. "She has to. I love her!"