Rita Ora criticises Jess Mauboy’s song choice on The Voice

During the final round of the ‘Knockouts’ Rita slams Jess’ song choice, causing an extremely awkward moment between the coaches.

It’s the second round of the ‘Knockouts’ and Jess Mauboy’s team is going head to head against Rita Ora’s team.

Having to send three of their team members home before the end of the night, everything rides on these performances.

For each performance, the coaches choose the songs, and one song Jess Mauboy chose for her singer, Sean Miley Moore, was not a hit with Rita Ora. Nor with Keith Urban.

Singing Lonely by Justin Bieber, some coaches didn’t think it was the right choice.

Guy was the first to criticise.

“Personally I feel like there’s another gear you needed to get into. I was waiting for this rapturous moment and this moment of uninhibited emotion. I feel like I was wanting a little more desperation to really go ‘Oh my gosh I need to get out of my chair.’ That’s what was missing for me.”

Sean sang 'Lonely' by Justin Bieber. Picture: Channel 7

Rita agreed: “I feel like this wasn’t the right song for him. I love his theatrical side. He should have shown his power, he should have shown his strength and he should have been really who Sean Miley Moore is. I have a history with Sean. He was on a show in the UK that I was on, and I watched him blossom and find himself I would love to see him one last time.”

Rita ripped into Jess's song choice. Picture: Channel 7

Jess, looking livid, couldn’t hide the emotion on her face when Rita criticised her song choice.

“I don’t know if that’s made it hard for you,” she tells Jess.

“Yes! It’s made it very difficult,” an angered Jess remarks.

Jess wasn't happy with Rita's criticism. Picture: Channel 7

During the Blind Auditions, Sean sang The Prayer and Jess ‘blocked’ Rita from having Sean on her team, a move that frustrated Rita to a large extent.

Now, it seemed like that tension came to a head between Rita and Jess.

Sending Sean to the waiting room, Jess admits she needs to hear her other performers sing before she can make her final decision.

In the end, Jess sent Sean home and took on Ella and Mick through to the Semi Finals.

For Rita, she chose girl band G-Nation and Sian, sending home the likes of Hamilah Kyrgios, tennis legend Nick Kyrgios’ sister.

Originally published as Rita Ora criticises Jess Mauboy’s song choice on The Voice