Amy Shark was ‘left in tears’ by ‘incensed’ Sony Music boss Denis Handlin after she forgot to thank him during her 2018 ARIA Awards speech
Amy Shark was reportedly ‘left in tears’ by former Sony Music Australia boss Denis Handlin after an accidental snub at the 2018 ARIA Awards.
The singer-songwriter, 35, picked up four awards at the ceremony, but forgot to thank Denis while accepting the gong for Album of the Year.
Although she had already thanked him during two of her speeches, Album of the Year was the most prestigious award of the four and the oversight left the music executive ‘incensed’, according to The Australian.
Snubbed: Amy Shark was reportedly ‘left in tears’ by former Sony Music Australia boss Denis Handlin after an accidental snub at the 2018 ARIA Awards
A ‘furious’ Handlin is then said to have demanded that she re-film the speech for television so his name would be included, before he told some of his staffers to make Amy aware of the oversight.
She was ‘devastated’ when she found out what she’d done, and ended up personally apologising to the bigwig the next morning at Sony Music’s HQ in Sydney.
‘She was upset because she respected him greatly,’ a source said. ‘She was upset because she felt like she’d let him down.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Amy Shark and Sony Music Australia for comment.
Oh no: Although she had already thanked him during two of her speeches, Album of the Year was the most prestigious award of the four and the oversight left Handlin ‘incensed’
Handlin, who was Sony Music Australia’s chairman and chief executive, resigned last week as the company investigates other workers over allegations of bullying and harassment.
Sony Music’s global chairman Rob Stringer announced the departure of Mr Handlin in an internal email to staff at 10.28am last Monday.
‘I am writing to let you know that Denis Handlin will be leaving Sony Music Entertainment after more than 50 years with the company, effectively immediately,’ Mr Stringer wrote.
‘It is time for a change in leadership and I will be making further announcements in terms of the new direction of our business in Australia and New Zealand in due course.’
Do it again! A ‘furious’ Handlin (pictured in 2007) is said to have demanded that she re-film the speech for television so his name would be included
Mr Handlin was one of the most powerful and influential figures in the music industry and helped bands and stars like Delta Goodrem, Jessica Mauboy and Gang of Youths achieve international fame.
Mr Stringer went on to thank Mr Handlin – Sony Music’s longest-serving employee anywhere in the world – for his ‘extraordinary contribution’ to the company.
The departure came just days after it was revealed that Sony Music was investigating claims of bullying and harassment within its Australian office.
Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting Mr Handlin is involved in any of the allegations.
Gone: Handlin, who was Sony Music Australia’s chairman and chief executive, resigned last week as the company investigates other workers over allegations of bullying and harassment