‘Kyle Sandilands is an unlikely feminist hero … hear me out’

Kyle Sandilands has become a surprise hit in the US after kicking a vile guest off his radio show. Now a very unlikely side to Sandilands has been exposed.

OPINION

Kyle Sandilands has become an unlikely feminist hero. I know – daring words about a man who has made a living from being, let’s face it, rude. But unlike his male celebrity contemporaries, Sandilands is prepared to lose for women to win.

So how is Sandilands doing that you may ask? Well, let’s examine the facts.

This week he went viral worldwide for kicking Myron Gaines, a sexist podcaster, off his radio show after Gaines claimed men can cheat on their girlfriends, but women can’t cheat on their boyfriends. Sandilands’ called him a “clown!” and kicked him off the show.

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Sure, there’s the argument that the show shouldn’t have given the podcaster time on-air at all, but it’s also worth noting that is basically the structure of radio or breakfast shows. You get people on that have controversial opinions.

However, it’s rare you see a host completely denounce a guest. Honestly, it was pretty satisfying to see the guy put in his place and have his airtime cut. Sandilands didn’t just yell at him, he got rid of him. Actions, right?

Myron Gaines made some disgusting comments about women on Kyle and Jackie’s KIIS FM show.

Kyle kicked Gaines off the show and called him a “clown”.

And it’s not the first time Sandlilands has stood up for women.

In April 2021 he spoke to Mia Freedman’s No Filter podcast about how he felt “paralysed” when in 1999 he realised he was getting paid significantly more than he co-host Jackie ‘O’ Henderson. At the time he was earning $258,000 a year and Henderson told him she was on $80,000.

When Kyle and Jackie O started out, not only did she have to wear these glasses but she was paid a helluva lot less.

“I was like ‘What do you mean you get 80k? You’re Jackie O’. I just assumed they were getting the same. I didn’t know there was diversity or difference. I knew nothing about that,” he told Freedman.

Sandlilands claimed he then went into see their general manager and said their pay had to be equal, even offering to drop his salary so Henderson could get more. Ultimately, he said, Henderson’s salary was upped to meet his.

So, while Karl Stefanovic made a statement about clothing double standards by wearing the same suit every day live on air on the Today show, Sandilands had already offered to take a pay cut to assure his female co-host Jackie O got equal pay.

Why? Because he understood her contribution was just as valuable as his, and he fought for her to be recognised equally. He could have just taken his substantial pay cheque and gone home to whatever model he was dating at the time or headed off to coffee with an Ibrahim, but he didn’t. There are statements, and then there are actions, right?

In comparison, Stefanovic’s co-host Lisa Wilkinson wanted pay equity, but he kept out of it. Sure, the clothing gesture was great, but did it help any woman? It certainly didn’t help the woman sitting next to him every day.

Karl Stefanovic famously wore the same suit every day for a year to highlight sexism against his female colleagues … while getting paid significantly more than his co-host Lisa Wilkinson. Picture: Nine.

That’s the thing about being an ally to women. It involves doing something and that something might even involve putting yourself second.

That’s what we need to achieve equality. We need men to do more than just support women or be nice. We need men to stand up for women and make sacrifices that actually benefit women. We don’t want you to hold the door for us, we want you to help smash the glass ceiling - or at the very least, advocate for us to be paid the same.

Look, I’m reluctant to label Sandilands a feminist hero, but I’m also sick of men saying they are feminists and then doing zero to help women. He might not be perfect but at least he fights for pay equity. (OK, he is very far from perfect.)

Kyle Sandilands is far from a gentleman but at least he stands up for what he believes in.

Of course, I can’t write off Sandilands’ entire history with women. I mean, the man has said some offensive things - remember when he called a journalist “a fat slag” after she wrote a negative review about him? Also, there was that particularly grim time when he fat-shamed pregnant woman.

But I’d argue that Sandilands’ nasty side isn’t just reserved for women. He has been ranting about his hatred for Rove for years and famously called him a “little prick!”

So, while Sandilands is not always nice, is he sexist? I think he’s an equal opportunist when it comes to insults. Just ask Matty J, who Sandilands once said “looks like a cancer patient.” Everyone’s looks are on the table for this shock jock.

But I’d say Sandilands’ actions actually speak louder than his very loud words. Does he say disgusting things? Yes. Does he support women in his actions? Also yes.

Through his latest viral clip that’s gone worldwide, is Sandilands coming across as a woke and progressive feminist, someone that refuses to tolerate blatant sexism?

Perhaps, he is more of a feminist warrior than many of us Aussies have given him credit for.

Mary Madigan is a freelance writer.