The Voice winner Lachie Gill responds to ‘white privilege’ controversy

Lachie Gill has reacted to the outcry over his Voice win and claims he won because he’s white as one of the runners-up addresses being “robbed”.

The Voice winner Lachie Gill has responded to claims his white privilege saw him take home the crown.

The 24-year-old Melbourne PE teacher, from Rita Ora’s team, was unveiled as the victor on Sunday night’s finale of the Channel 7 show, beating a diverse trio including Thando Sikwila from Team Keith Urban, Jordan Tavita from Team Guy Sebastian, and Faith Sosene from Team Jess Mauboy.

Social media soon lit up in frustration that a “white boy” came out on top over “three people of colour”, with runner-up Faith, 25, even suggesting there was a wider issue at play on her Instagram.

“We already knew Australia was gonna love & pick you! You’re simply perfect for them,” she initially wrote.

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Rita Ora's team member Lachie Gill took out The Voice.

Faith quickly edited the caption, deleting “for them” and replacing it with, “You’re simply perfect.”

She added: “[Thando and Jordan] We must work harder for our future generations to win. Off to work we go.”

Lachie has since told Daily Mail he “won’t buy into” such controversy.

“There are always doubters and I won’t buy into it,” he told the publication. “I’m just really grateful to my fans who voted for me and have shown their support.”

Lachie beat his fellow Voice finalists Faith, Jordan and Thando to take home $100,000 and a recording contract.

He added: “I want to thank my fans for helping me to fulfil my dreams and ambitions. We all came onto this show wanting to win and I have the utmost respect and love for my fellow contestants.”

Fellow runner-up Thando, 29, also took to her Instagram on Tuesday to say while she appreciated the support, Lachie was a deserving winner.

“We understand there’s a narrative going around, but you really need to leave the winner of the show alone,” she told her followers. “The winner won because Australia voted the way that it did, and that is it.”

“Please know, I wasn’t robbed,” she added.

Lachie nabbed $100,000 and a Universal Music Australia recording contract as part of his win.

Lachie said he “wont buy into” the claims. Picture: Ian Currie

On Monday, he posted a lengthy statement on his Instagram page congratulating his three finalists.

“Jordan Faith & Thando. What can I say other than Thankyou,” he began.

“Thankyou for sharing your gifts with me and Australia. You will continue to inspire me every single day moving forward and I KNOW and I MEAN IT! That you will have amazing careers in this industry and have so much too (sic) offer to Australia and beyond.”

Originally published as The Voice winner Lachie Gill responds to ‘white privilege’ controversy