Natalie Imbruglia reacts to Sony CEO Denis Handlin being sacked

Singer Natalie Imbruglia was visibly shocked when she was told live on The Project that Sony CEO Denis Handlin had been sacked.

Singer Natalie Imbruglia was caught off-guard on live TV when asked about the sacking of Sony CEO Denis Handlin.

Imbruglia appeared on The Project last night to discuss her new single, Build It Better, which is out now.

But towards the end of the interview, Carrie Bickmore asked Imbruglia for her reaction to the news that Mr Handlin, the most powerful man in Australian music, had been dismissed by Sony.

Former Sony Music Boss Denis Handlin. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Sony Australia is currently making headlines over an investigation into a toxic workplace culture after complaints from staff.

“Before we let you go, some big news about Sony CEO Denis Handlin being fired after 50 years at the company following a workplace cultural review,” Bickmore said. “He was leading the company when you first started out, I wondered if that news was surprising to you?”

It was the first Imbruglia had heard of the news.

“You are telling me that news for the first time, so I didn’t realise that,” she said. “To be honest, I didn’t have any direct contact with him, so … that’s a bit of a shock.”

Bickmore said to Imbruglia: “It has been an interesting time for the music industry in Australia. More and more claims coming out of women being harassed and bullied. Having spent so much time in the industry there’s talk this is the ‘me too’ moment for the music industry. Do you feel like it’s a long time coming?”

“Look, I had it in the acting industry,” Imbruglia said. “I think, you know, when I was coming up through the ranks, the kind of situations we were put in was definitely something that I hope has changed over the years, auditioning in bikinis, things like that.”

Imbruglia continued: “I do think, yeah, it is time for a change. So I can’t really comment on the Denis situation because I really don’t know anything about it. But, yeah that is quite a shock.”

Natalie Imbruglia is releasing a new album later this year. Picture: Mike Marsland/WireImage

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Mr Handlin began his career in the mail room at Sony Music and is the company’s longest-serving employee globally after joining the organisation in 1970. He became CEO of the Australian operations in 1984.

His departure, “effective immediately”, was announced by Sony Music’s global boss Rob Stringer in an internal email yesterday.

“It is time for a change in leadership and I will be making further announcements in terms of the new direction of our business in Australia and New Zealand in due course,” the note said.

Mr Handlin sent an email of his own to staff, saying: “I wanted to write to you all to say what an honour it has been to have spent over 50 years of my life at building and supporting Sony Music in Australia and New Zealand. After 51 years I agreed with Rob Stringer that it’s time for a change.”

An Australian-based external counsel has been appointed to investigate claims of a toxic workplace culture at Sony.

There is no suggestion that Mr Handlin’s departure relates to the allegations being investigated.

Aussie music star @natimbruglia on overcoming writers' block, how she really felt about the infamous "Natalie didn't write Torn" meme, and why she hopes some the entertainment industry continues to evolve. Plus, her brand new single, 'Build It Better'. pic.twitter.com/cVXcDqY1pw

— The Project (@theprojecttv) June 21, 2021