Romy, who was only 12-years-old when she auditioned for the hit talent show, was comforted on stage by the four judges, after she broke down for failing to turn any chairs during her rendition of Adele’s Turning Tables song.
Channel Nine Today Show host, Karl Stefanovic spoke out on the breakfast program this morning, saying he felt “incredibly uncomfortable” watching Romy’s emotional reaction.
“I just wonder if it should have been shown in the first place,” he said.
“I think it could potentially do more damage than anything else to that child. There’s a need for more protection in that situation.”
A Nine Network spokesman said: “The decision to put this blind audition to air was made after consultation with Romy and her parents who are very proud that she reached the top 100 young singers in Australia – an impressive achievement in itself.”
Mia Freedman wrote today that the producers of The Voice wouldn’t be telling the full story if they left out the tears and the disappointment.
“The idea that kids should never experience disappointment is a dangerous one,” she says. “Unless you place a child in a bubble they will be disappointed and even devastated by life. They will have their hearts broken and their dreams crushed. They will miss out on jobs, they will be sacked, they will lose loved ones and they will encounter shitty, unpleasant people in their lives. They will.”
Judges Melanie Brown, Joel and Benji Madden, and Delta Goodrem handled the situation perfectly, offering her advice and speaking of their experiences with rejection.
“Do you know how many auditions I did where they said no? It made me stronger, it made me want it even more,” Mel said.
Today Romy said she was pleased her audition went to air.
“It was really hard for me that the chairs didn’t turn around but practice makes perfect and I hope I’ll be back next year,” Romy said.
