She may be Australia’s sweetheart, but Delta Goodrem has been dividing fans of The Voice ever since she debuted on the show in 2012.
And this season has been no different, with trolls branding the 35-year-old singer ‘annoying and insufferable’ for her animated on-screen behaviour.
On Monday, industry expert Rob McKnight exposed the real problem behind Delta’s fraught public image: her undeniable career success.
Why viewers REALLY hate her: An industry insider has explained why The Voice judge Delta Goodrem, 35, receives so much backlash among viewers
‘Anyone who’s successful in this country has just as many haters as they do fans,’ said McKnight, a former TV executive who now runs the TV Blackbox website.
‘It’s better to be polarising rather than bland, nobody cares about bland,’ he added.
McKnight said Australia’s ‘tall poppy syndrome’ is to blame for Delta’s army of haters.
‘Anyone who’s successful in this country has just as many haters as they do fans’: Robert McKnight, a former TV producer, says Delta’s haters are just jealous of her success in the music industry
Rising above: McKnight praised the Born To Try singer for her ability to rise above criticism, explaining: ‘Delta’s greatest asset is her ability to ignore the haters and keep being herself, as that is what resonates with the people who love her’
‘In Australia we always love to cut down the tall poppies and the fact Delta has had so much success in her life only leads people to despise her success and feel jealous of it,’ he explained.
McKnight praised the Born To Try singer for her ability to rise above criticism, explaining: ‘Delta’s greatest asset is her ability to ignore the haters and keep being herself, as that is what resonates with the people who love her.’
‘If she tries to change to appease the haters she will never win,’ he added.
Nothing new: She may be Australia’s sweetheart, but Delta has been dividing The Voice fans since she first appeared on the show in 2012
It comes after record executive Michael Gudinski admitted he ‘isn’t a fan of Delta Goodrem’ as a musician.
Speaking candidly with Perth radio station 96FM Botica’s Bunch with Fred and Lisa on Friday, the 67-year-old music industry heavyweight confessed: ‘Look, I’m not the biggest Delta Goodrem fan, I must admit.’
Michael had been asked about the Music From The Home Front concert, which he had organised.
Delta had performed in the concert, which was held in recognition of Anzac Day, and to thank those working on the frontline against the coronavirus pandemic.
‘I’m not big on celebrities, I’m being honest here,’ he added.
Michael then referenced Delta’s recent performance during the One World: Together At Home concert, which was organised by Lady Gaga back in April.
‘Look, I’m not the biggest Delta Goodrem fan, I must admit’: It comes after record executive Michael Gudinski (pictured) admitted he ‘isn’t a fan of Delta Goodrem’ as a musician
‘I thought the COVID performance of hers lacked lustre,’ he continued.
Meanwhile, Twitter trolls slammed Delta earlier this month over her rather ostentatious behaviour on The Voice.
‘Delta Goodrem is f**king annoying,’ one fan Tweeted, while another wrote: ‘Delta, still insufferable.’
‘You just know Delta was one of those annoying theatre kids’: Trolls slammed Delta on Twitter over her rather ostentatious behaviour on The Voice earlier this month
‘You just KNOW Delta was one of those annoying theatre kids who breaks into song every five minutes… What I’m trying to say is she was TOTALLY Rachel from Glee,’ a third viewer wrote on Twitter.
One person said Delta was being disingenuous by trying to ‘vibe’ with contestants who have ‘clearly faced struggles in life’.
‘Does the ‘block’ button block Delta from acting like an idiot?’ another critic asked.
Of course, plenty of fans also defended Delta, who has a reputation for being one of the nicest people in showbusiness.
‘People have the nerve to call Delta fake and other rubbish? She’s one of the most kindest and genuine souls out there,’ one supporter Tweeted.
Another added: ‘Bless Delta, she is so lovely THAT DUET WAS AMAZING OMG’.
Supportive: Of course, plenty of fans also defended Delta, who has a reputation for being one of the nicest people in showbusiness