Guy Sebastian’s rule-breaking Voice move sparks viewer backlash

The Voice coach Guy Sebastian’s latest rule-breaking move proved controversial among viewers watching Sunday night’s episode.

The Voice coach Guy Sebastian’s latest rule-breaking move proved controversial among viewers watching Sunday night’s episode.

Sebastian left host Sonia Kruger waiting for instruction from her bosses at Seven when he told her he wanted to put both of his team members through after their impressive battle round performance.

He was only meant to pick one winner after singers Jordan Tavita and Celestial Utai went head-to-head to perform his own hit single Art of Love.

But Sebastian complained he couldn’t possibly pick a winner – so asked if the rules could be bent for him.

Sonia Kruger told Guy the decision wasn’t hers to make.

“I don’t want to bend rules or do anything weird, but if I can just ask [to] maybe put them both through to the sing-off?” he told Kruger.

“Only if everyone’s cool with that. I know I should make a decision.”

“So you want them both to win the battle?” asked Kruger. “You understand this isn’t a decision I can make; I need to take this upstairs.”

Rita Ora and the other coaches were shocked by the request.

“I know people at Seven, I can text them if you don’t have access … Sonia, you host many shows, you can do things for me!” Sebastian joked.

Kruger took a brief pause as she awaited further instruction from the show’s executive producer, before revealing that Guy’s request had been approved.

His two contestants were overjoyed to have both made it through the round – but some viewers were less happy:

@Channel7@TheVoiceAU I'm done watching The Voice. If I was Rita, Jess and Keith, I'd walk.
You let Guy cheat EVERY.YEAR. Why bother honestly??
I think @Channel10AU should get the X Factor.#TheVoiceAU#cheating

— Neisz Lone Wolf (@LoneNeisz) May 8, 2022

The art of love, according to Guy, is to make the competition harder for everyone by being ‘indecisive’ when it’s convenient for you, then hold everyone else hostage until you get what you want... 😜#TheVoiceAUpic.twitter.com/mDxjCoWLYc

— seapunk aesthete 💮 (@BiancaNeveXO) May 8, 2022

Why does Guy think it’s okay to break the rules I feel sorry for the artists cut because the other coaches play by the rules #TheVoiceAU

— Noah (@Noah_Derek_) May 8, 2022

Ok, #TheVoiceAU, who runs the show & rules? So over Guy Sebastian constantly taking the rules & making up his own version. Will stop watching if this continues… he irritates me with his absolute arrogance.

— Dr Angelika Heurich (@AngelikaHeurich) May 8, 2022

#TheVoiceAU#TheVoice2022 This is not fair to the other singers, Guy should have picked a winner 😡 pic.twitter.com/hVMK3OQd53

— rae (@raecomet) May 8, 2022

But others defended Guy, pointing out that the end justified the means if it kept two talented singers in the competition a little longer:

Guy breaking the rules again 😂, but totally justified! They were both AH-MAZ-ING! Damn! 👏 #TheVoiceAU

— Mila Too (@mila_too) May 8, 2022

Good Choice Guy, a true rule breaker but for good 😅 #TheVoiceAU

— I DRINK WINE 🍷 (@blludofficial) May 8, 2022

Now I understand why guy is going break the rules #TheVoiceAU

— Nebojsa Kotur (@Astrobacca) May 8, 2022

The viewer controversy comes at a tumultuous time for Sebastian, who recently had to postpone a string of dates on his current Australian tour due to a Covid diagnosis.

The season one Australian Idol winner is also in the middle of an ugly court battle with former manager Titus Day – one which was further complicated today with the shocking news that the judge presiding over the case has died of an apparent stroke.

Sebastian was due to continue giving evidence when the trial resumed on Tuesday, but he instead entered isolation after testing positive for Covid.