The Voice Australia has gone through a major change to its format this year, and fans are not too happy about it.
While viewers have been grumbling about the show’s twist for a while now, recent blind auditions featuring a contestant with a famous last name have reignited the debate.
If you’re well-versed in Australian music icons, you’d be well aware of John Farnham – the legend who brought us the anthemic You’re the Voice.
Recently, his nephew – 38-year-old Jess Kelly – tried his luck on the iconic reality TV singing show, performing “When the War Is Over” by Cold Chisel. Despite sounding very similar to his uncle, with Kate Miller-Heidke even asking, “Is that John Farnham?” as soon as he started singing, he didn’t turn a single chair.
Fans are, of course, up in arms about this decision, claiming he was robbed and deserved another chance. While many cited his family name as his credentials, the gripe goes even deeper than that.
Seeing Kelly walk off the stage without a single chair turn or acknowledgement from the judges solidified viewers’ opinion that the new format is “heartless” and reduces the contestants to “mere props for ratings”.
And that seems to be the real issue for fans. The Voice isn’t just about who can sing – it’s about the people brave enough to get up there and give it a shot.
What is the format change on The Voice Australia?
This year, Australian icon Tones and I has joined the show as a secret fifth coach, unknown to coaches Melanie C, Ronan Keating, Richard Marx, and Kate Miller-Heidke. The singer watches on from a hidden surveillance room and then has the opportunity to bring any unlucky contestants who didn’t receive a single chair turn onto her team, training them up for a glorious comeback.
But viewers have noticed that the format has added an air of coldness to the show because if no coach turns around for the contestant, the hopeful singer has to simply walk off stage, without a single ‘hello’, ‘well done’, or any feedback from the coaches acknowledging their bravery.
“What has historically been a constructive, uplifting, and respectful platform for Australian artists has unfortunately devolved into a format that feels incredibly insulting to the contestants and manipulative to the viewing audience,” one fan wrote on social media, addressing the producers of the show. “First and foremost, the new format rule dictating that unsuccessful auditionees must leave the stage without the coaches ever turning around to acknowledge them is a massive misstep.
“Requiring brave, talented singers to look at the backs of chairs, receive zero face-to-face feedback, and walk off in total silence is utterly heartless. Positive criticism, technical advice, and basic human validation from industry icons like Kate Miller-Heidke, Richard Marx, Melanie C, and Ronan Keating are the primary reasons artists audition.
“Denying them that respect reduces these human beings to mere props for ratings.”
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Who is John Farnham’s nephew?
In no way should someone’s family name dictate their success. That’s why a show like The Voice is so good, as the Blind Audition aspect promotes fairness and puts the whole focus solely on, you know, the voice.
But when a famous last name is thrown around to get viewers to tune in, only for them to walk off the stage without a single word of acknowledgement, it’s no surprise fans are threatening to turn off the show entirely.
“I am very upset that not one judge turned for John Farnhams nephew,” one fan wrote online. “All they said was he didn’t quite get some notes. I didn’t hear him miss any. Surely, he was more than good enough to be trained up?”
“The handling of Jess Kelly—John Farnham’s nephew—was morally wrong and highly insulting to loyal viewers,” another viewer commented. “The network heavily promoted Jess’s incredible voice and his legendary family connection to lure Australians into tuning in. To build up nationwide anticipation for such an amazing talent, only for the coaches to completely shut him down without a single chair turn, felt cruel and entirely staged for shock value.
“It is deeply disappointing to watch a legacy like Farnham’s name used purely as clickbait, leaving an exceptionally gifted singer cast aside with zero acknowledgment.”
“The name needs to be changed from the Voice to something that advertises the show being all about the judges,” another agreed. “It’s no longer about the Voice. Why change what was a tried and true entertainment and celebration of Australian voices?”
The incredible talent keeping viewers watching
There is a silver lining amidst all this disappointment, however.
Although some contestants haven’t received a single chair turn, there have also been standout 4-chair-turn performances that have reminded fans why the competition is so important.
On the same night Jess Kelly was turned away, Marranunggu hip-hop artist Yung Milla delivered one of the best auditions of the season, earning a four-chair turn for his rap performance of All My Life, an original song by his brother J-MILLA.
The contestant shared his journey of growing up around adversity and spoke of the inspiration he takes from his mother. He also shared how he uses music to create opportunities for his community, and was joined on stage by his brother after his Blind Audition.
After fighting over the contestant, Melanie recruited the contestant to her team, blocking Richard.
Fans and members of Yung Milla’s community have been pouring out praise and support for the star.
“Yung Milla, thought you were fantastic Budda,” one fan wrote online. “All the best on your journey…you got this…shine Budda shine…you know your people are proud of you…and I’m one of them.”
“Awesome and so proud of the person he is & what he stands for,” another wrote.
“DARWIN ON THE MAP” another viewer commented.
So, while the new format may still be leaving viewers uneasy – and fans have every right to complain – all hope is not lost. For those contestants who earn a chair turn or a second chance, there are still plenty of moments that remind us why we fell in love with The Voice in the first place.
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