Edwina Bartholomew: What I know about The Voice judges

I’ve dipped in and out of the TV juggernaut for years but there is something different about this season, says Edwina Bartholomew.

It’s The Voice, now I think I finally understand it.

I’ve dipped in and out of the TV juggernaut for years through the Madden brothers’ sibling rivalry, Boy George and his big hats, and Seal’s soulful pleas to contestants, but there is something different about this season.

And no, it’s not just because it’s suddenly on the same network that issues my pay cheque. I equally love The Block, and Netflix is my go-to.

I’m just really loving how, well, nice everyone is. I’ve never met Rita Ora, but I’ve been lucky enough to interview Keith Urban, Guy Sebastian and Jessica Mauboy many times.

They are the real deal; lovely and talented plus they live and breathe music.

Keith is especially passionate about younger, up-and-coming artists. Every time I speak to him he is listening to someone new, collaborating with new artists and supporting new talent.

The Voice judges (L-R) Keith Urban, Jessica Mauboy, Guy Sebastian. and Rita Ora. Picture: Supplied

I heard Guy say this week: “What we really want is just to get back to finding great talent and just finding normal people who have normal lives and great stories behind them who are just desperate to be heard.”

So far, so good. The artists are beyond amazing and the ratings are off the charts.

Naturally, it helps that we have bugger all else to do and a large portion of the country is either in lockdown, coming out of lockdown or going back into lockdown.

We have so much drama in our lives, maybe we just want an escape when it comes to our TV viewing habits.

The other silver lining of the pandemic is that a lot of awesome talent has remained in Australia instead of pursuing opportunities overseas.

Even when the chairs don’t turn and the singer is eliminated, the judges aren’t brutal or rude but encouraging.

It’s finally family viewing, a show you can watch with your entire household without worrying about awkward sex scenes, over-botoxed fame hunters or even scandalous post-show pregnancies.

It’s genuine. Just ask Rita Ora. She was caught off camera chatting to Keith Urban this week about what she loved about Australia.

She said the people are real; a girl who’s a singing teacher at her church, a corrective-services officer, a man mowing lawns for a living.

That’s the kind of TV I’ll be tuning in for.

Originally published as Edwina Bartholomew: What I know about The Voice judges