Kate Miller-Heidke may have coached last year’s winner of The Voice Australia, but according to Richard Marx, he deserves at least some of the credit for her success.
The coaches have formed an easy friendship since Richard joined the reality show in 2025, although his influence on Kate’s career began long before they ever sat beside each other on spinning red chairs.
Kate revealed to WHO that one of Richard’s biggest hits inspired her own songwriting when she was younger — prompting the Grammy-winning musician to joke that it was time she paid up.
Honestly, we admire the hustle.
Kate reveals how Richard inspired her music
Despite meeting Richard for the first time through The Voice, Kate, 44, has been a fan of his music since she was a wee teenager.
The Australian singer-songwriter revealed she was particularly captivated by his 1992 hit Hazard, which tells the mysterious story of a woman’s disappearance and leaves listeners wondering what really happened.
“Hazard was massive for me,” Kate told WHO.
“I first heard that song on the radio when I was a teenager and was so deeply fascinated by the darkness of it and the storytelling, and the loose ends that it leaves open — the mystery of it.”
Kate believes the track went on to shape her own approach to storytelling, particularly when she wrote Sarah, her haunting song about a young woman who vanishes from a music festival.
“I’m sure that song was a direct influence on me when I wrote Sarah,” she admitted.
Richard’s response?
“So you owe me money,” he teased.
It may have taken several decades, but Richard has finally come to collect his royalties.
Better check the fine print, Kate.
Kate praises her fellow Voice coach
The admiration certainly hasn’t disappeared now that the pair are working alongside one another.
Kate said she continues to learn from Richard simply by sharing the coaching panel with him and listening to the advice he gives their aspiring singers.
“I feel like I’ve learned so much from Richard just sitting next to him, in his physical proximity,” she said.
“He just always has such deeply incisive commentary because of his background as a producer, a record producer.
“I do think, in many ways, you’re just so, so qualified to help these singers.”
Kate is also entering the latest season with a sizeable target on her back after guiding Alyssa Delpopolo to victory in 2025 — meaning Richard may have another reason to keep a close eye on her.
What has happened on The Voice Australia so far?
The new season of The Voice has introduced its biggest coaching panel yet, with Kate and Richard joined by Ronan Keating, Melanie C and surprise fifth coach Tones And I, who sits out of sight of the artists, but can demand a re-sing for any who don’t get picked by the other four coaches.
The Blind Auditions are now underway, with the coaches already fighting to secure some of the season’s strongest singers for their teams.
Kate’s hopes of scoring back-to-back victories are looking promising, with the reigning champion assembling a characteristically eclectic group of artists spanning everything from pop and folk to opera and gothic metal.
But with another coach secretly watching the auditions (and waiting for the perfect moment to make her move) this year’s contestants aren’t the only ones in for a surprise.
Whether Kate can defend her crown remains to be seen. Either way, if she takes home another win, Richard may want to send that invoice sooner rather than later.
The Voice Australia airs Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays at 7.30 pm on Channel Seven and 7plus.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
