As The Voice Australia 2024 heads into the grand final, viewers are raising concerns about the fairness of the competition. With the knockout, showdown, and semi-final rounds now over, fans are pointing to some eyebrow-raising decisions that have sparked controversy and led to accusations of the show being “rigged.”
One major moment that ruffled feathers was Guy Sebastian’s decision to advance SKŸE into the semi-finals, leaving James Vass and Roland Williams to be sent home. The decision, combined with previous suspicions, has fans questioning whether the competition has already been decided.
Why are fans calling for changes to The Voice?
Fans have taken to social media to express their frustration with The Voice Australia’s format, particularly the decision-making process that leaves the fate of contestants solely in the hands of the coaches. Many are demanding that live voting be brought back, allowing the public to have a say in who progresses.
One fan on Facebook passionately called out Channel Seven: “Seriously, Channel 7, I have said this before – bring back the live shows… it is so unfair for the contestants when the judges have to pick.” The viewer went on to say, “We, as the viewers, 9 times out of 10 don’t agree with their choices.”
“Please Channel 7, wake up and smell the roses,” another fan wrote on Facebook. “The way you have it at the moment is so unfair to us as viewers and the contestants.”
The current format, where coaches choose who stays and who goes, is being heavily criticized for not reflecting the audience’s preferences. Many viewers want a return to live performances and voting, as it once was when the show aired on Channel Nine, where the public could vote on Sunday nights and see the results on Monday.
Many are also calling for changes in the knockout rounds, suggesting that instead of limiting finalists to two per team, the best performers from any team should make it to the finals. This, fans argue, would give all singers a fair shot at the title, regardless of which team they belong to.
Is SKŸE favoured to win The Voice 2024?
SKŸE’s progression into the grand final has sparked intense debate among fans, with some speculating that he has been pre-selected as the winner. This theory first gained traction when SKŸE, despite a slightly flawed performance, was chosen over fellow contestant Eden by coach Guy Sebastian. Fans were confused, especially when Sebastian acknowledged SKŸE’s imperfections but still sent him to the next round.
Adding fuel to the fire, SKŸE has been featured in Afterpay commercials since the 2024 season began, which many viewers see as a sign that the show may already have a winner in mind. On Facebook, one fan pointed out, “They made it blatantly obvious… Guy has the proposed rigged winner.” Another added, “Why is SKŸE already in ads? I hope that isn’t a clue.”
While some viewers believe that his appearance in commercials is a clear indicator of his win, fellow contestant Laura Glynn disputed claims the competition was rigged.
Replying to fans on Facebook, the former Team LeAnn contestant wrote, “SKŸE is an amazing person and performer. His voice knows no bounds.”
“This hate towards him is ugly and unnecessary. You’re entitled to an opinion, however, share it by voting for the person you think should win. Not by publicly hating the contestants (who are human beings by the way),” she continued, adding, “I speak for all artists on the show when we say we know ZIP during the filming process. We are along for the ride and do our best on stage. Keep the peace. There is so much more strength and power in being encouraging.”
What’s next for The Voice Australia?
As the grand final approaches, it remains to be seen how Channel Seven will address the growing backlash from fans. Whether or not the format will change for the 2025 season is still up in the air, but it’s clear that the current system is not sitting well with viewers.
Will SKŸE take home the win, or will the final stage of the competition bring more surprises? Either way, fans are watching closely, and the pressure is on for The Voice to prove it’s a fair competition.
