Performing at a huge championship game can feel like a big risk, and Keith Urban knew that before he took the stage at the NRL Grand Final on Sunday. But he didn’t need to stress—fans absolutely loved his performance, especially when he teamed up with Jessica Mauboy for a duet.
The two sang Keith’s song “The Fighter,” and they rocked it! People on Twitter said Jessica was the star of the night, calling her the best singer there. She started getting tons of attention online even before the show began. Some fans made little jokes about her singing at the NRL again, and others were upset she wasn’t picked to sing the national anthem instead of Dami Im. But Keith got plenty of praise too.
One fan tweeted, “The NRL Grand Final entertainment was the best in years. Keith Urban and Jessica Mauboy were perfect!” Another person said Keith was “hitting it out of the park,” meaning he did an amazing job.
During the song, Keith even told Jessica she looked beautiful, which was a sweet moment. Before the big day, Keith admitted he was a little worried. At a press conference in Sydney on Thursday, he said he’d heard about some past performances at big games that didn’t go so well. For example, Meat Loaf sang off-key at the AFL Grand Final in 2011, and Slash’s show at the NRL Grand Final in 2014 wasn’t a hit because he used a backing track.
Keith laughed and said he was “really nervous” about Sunday, but he also seemed ready. “I feel good,” he told reporters. “We’ll practice everything on Saturday, and I’m excited for the game too. It’s going to be fun!” He also mentioned that his friends Richie Sambora and Orianthi were part of the show, which made him even happier.
Keith is in Sydney for more than just the Grand Final. He’s helping Virgin launch a new program called Velocity Live, which lets people who fly a lot with the airline get early tickets to concerts and events. It’s a busy week for him because his new song, “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” just became his 37th number-one hit on the country music charts.
He’s also touring Australia for his latest album, Ripcord. That tour includes stops at the Deni Ute Muster and the Grand Final. Keith even shared who he’s cheering for in the game. “I’d like the Sharks to win,” he said. “It’d be cool to see the underdog come out on top.” But his mom is rooting for the Storm because of the Queensland players on the team. Since Keith’s home is in Sydney, though, he’s sticking with the Cronulla Sharks.
Kids and grown-ups alike can see Keith had a blast, and his duet with Jessica made the Grand Final a night to remember!
