Boy George says he ‘kindly’ agreed to a pay cut to stay on The Voice Australia – but doesn’t confirm if he’ll return for the 2021 season on Channel Seven
Boy George has revealed the extent of his loyalty to The Voice Australia amid rumours Channel Seven has axed him in favour of cheaper talent.
On Wednesday, the 59-year-old tweeted that he’d ‘kindly’ agreed to a pay cut from Channel Nine in order to secure a spot on the coaching panel in 2021.
But that agreement was nixed when Seven purchased the rights to the franchise in August and the show switched networks.
Staying or going? Boy George has revealed that he ‘kindly’ agreed to a pay cut from Channel Nine in order to secure a spot on The Voice’s coaching panel in 2021
‘Truth is, I kindly took a pay cut from @TheVoiceAU because of the corona. I am also decent, and they agreed to have me next season,’ the British singer tweeted.
‘If I had known they would swap networks I still would have taken a financial hit because I’m decent and I never burn bridges!’ he added.
The Culture Club singer did not confirm or deny whether he’ll return to the franchise.
It comes just weeks after George hit back at New Idea for claiming that he and Kelly Rowland had been dumped from The Voice and replaced by local judges.
Statement: ‘Truth is, I kindly took a pay cut from @TheVoiceAU because of the corona. I am also decent, and they agreed to have me next season,’ George tweeted on Wednesday. ‘If I had known they would swap networks I still would have taken a financial hit because I’m decent and I never burn bridges!’
Numbers game: While George said he was willing to take a pay cut when The Voice was on Nine, it remains to be seen if this will be enough now that Seven owns the licence. The Culture Club singer did not confirm or deny on Wednesday whether he’ll return to the franchise
Defiant: It comes just weeks after George hit back at New Idea for claiming that he and Kelly Rowland (left) had been dumped from The Voice and replaced by local judges
‘I’ve never been “dumped” by a network,’ he tweeted on September 3. ‘They can’t afford me darling!’
After a concerned fan told George to ‘hang in there’, he sarcastically shot back: ‘Yeah I’m down to my last jar of metaphorical caviar. Can I move into your spare bedroom?’
On September 29, George mocked rumours he was being replaced on the coaching panel by New Zealand singer Lorde.
Outspoken: On September 29, George mocked rumours he was being replaced on the coaching panel by New Zealand singer Lorde (pictured)
Amused? ‘If the The Voice AU are suggesting that Lorde is cheaper than me then today is a great day! Lol!’ he tweeted
Blunt: George also rubbished claims that Mariah Carey was ‘in talks’ to replace long-serving judge Delta Goodrem, writing: ‘She ain’t doing it!’
‘If the The Voice AU are suggesting that Lorde is cheaper than me then today is a great day! Lol!’ he tweeted.
George also rubbished claims that Mariah Carey was ‘in talks’ to replace long-serving judge Delta Goodrem, writing: ‘She ain’t doing it!’
After Nine failed to renew its contract for the 2021 season of The Voice, Channel Seven jumped on the licence very quickly.
Changing hands: After Nine failed to renew its contract for the 2021 season of The Voice, Channel Seven jumped on the licence very quickly. Pictured (L-R): Kelly Rowland, Guy Sebastian, Delta Goodrem, Boy George, Renee Bargh and Darren McMullen
Seven CEO James Warburton has big changes in mind for the show, including cutting the number of episodes and having a tighter production schedule.
‘We have a whole new more efficient and cost-effective streamlined production and roll-out schedule which will concentrate the format over less episodes and shoot over a much shorter time frame,’ Mr Warburton said.
Darren McMullen and Renee Bargh, who presented the 2020 season, won’t be returning next year.
The only confirmed talent is Sonia Kruger, who previously hosted the singing show on Nine and will front the 2021 series now she’s signed to Seven
Locked in: The only confirmed talent is Sonia Kruger (pictured), who previously hosted the singing show on Nine and will front the 2021 series now she’s signed to Seven