Guy Sebastian slammed for Scott Morrison press conference appearance

Guy Sebastian has earned the ire of fans after flanking Prime Minister Scott Morrison at a press conference about arts funding.

Bella Fowler

2 min read

June 25, 2020 - 2:03PM

Fans have erupted on Twitter today after Guy Sebastian appeared nodding behind Prime Minister Scott Morrison at a press conference announcing the latest arts funding package.

In what’s been labelled a “career-damaging move”, Sebastian’s support of the $250 million package has fans up in arms that he’s lost touch with the bulk of the industry – which has struggled immensely throughout the pandemic as live shows and concerts were scrapped in lockdown.

The singer was seen nodding throughout the press conference, with Mr Morrison singing his praises for joining the consultation.

Later, 38-year-old Sebastian gushed over the funding.

“Firstly, I would like to thank you guys, especially you Prime Minister, for listening … you really were, and that was evident the other day when we jumped on that Zoom call,” he said.

“You really did hear us out, you heard all the challenges we were facing.”

Sebastian, originally from Adelaide, said the funding showed the industry had not been forgotten.

But fans have unleashed on The Voice coach, who rose to fame after winning season one of Australian Idol, for the move.

He has even been dubbed “the new Scott Cam”, referencing the celebrity tradie’s recent appointment as the Government’s careers ambassador for which he’s pocketed $145,000 in taxpayer funds.

Others slammed the decision to use a “highly-paid Channel 9 employee” to represent the arts in Australia.

Guy Sebastian is the now the Scott Cam of the music world.
— David Caldicott (@ACTINOSProject) June 25, 2020

WTF is Guy Sebastian doing, standing behind #ScottyFromMarketing , nodding his frigging head at every miserable utterance coming out of his gob?
— ðŸ’§Geoff (Arts Degree Aficionado) Mason (@navypti) June 25, 2020

Guy Sebastianâ€™s Brand Manager rn pic.twitter.com/p3dnFobmyg
— âœ¨Alexandra Popovicâœ¨ (@VIPVirtualSols) June 25, 2020

Definition of Canberra Bubble - Morrison thinks Guy Sebastian represents struggling musicians, producers, roadies, venue owners, hospitality staff.

His taste in music says it all: lame, conservative, insipid. https://t.co/PcTmq8nQNH
— Mrs & Mr Wilma Slurrie (@WilmaSlurrie) June 25, 2020

Career-damaging move by Guy Sebastian.

He's sold-out the Arts sector for a measly $416.66* per Arts sector worker to publicly support the Prime Minister, extremely disappointing to say the least.

He's lost me.
ðŸ
(*$250 million divided by 600K Arts sector workers = $416.66)
— ðŸ’§ðŸ”¥ðŸ¨BeeðŸ (@BelindaJones68) June 25, 2020

Today was going fine, but now I have to break it to my 9 year old that Guy Sebastian is a scab, as we delete all his songs from her Apple music.
— Maxine Beneba Clarke (@slamup) June 25, 2020

Sebastian made headlines earlier this week after a nasty blow-up on The Voice that left a poor impression on fans.

Many viewers sided with fellow coach Kelly Rowland after a fight over contestants in the battle rounds played out, labelling Sebastian “rude” and “disrespectful” to one of his one contestants.

Rowland had walked off set in the closing moments of Sunday night’s episode after a disagreement with Sebastian about two of his contestants.

Sebastian chose arguably this season’s most distinctive contestant, Mongolian throat singer Bukhu Ganburged, to take on teammate Johnny Manuel for a battle round performance.

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Rowland felt the pairing was unfair to Bukhu, given his specific skill, and seemed designed to showcase Johnny talents.

Sebastian labelled her “disrespectful” as she stormed off set.

He later admitted he could have handled the situation better.

The pop star appeared on screens outside prime time today as the Morrison government unveiled a $250m support package for Australia’s arts and cultural sectors, including $90m in government-backed concessional loans to fund new productions that will create jobs during the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.