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 some viewers can’t stand Delta Goodrem: A TV insider has revealed the problem behind The Voice coach’s image – even though she has been called the ‘nicest person in the business’
‘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 was to blame for Delta’s army of haters.
‘Anyone who’s successful has just as many haters as they do fans’: Former TV executive Rob McKnight (pictured) told Daily Mail Australia that Delta was a victim of her own success
‘We always love to cut down the tall poppies’: McKnight said Australia’s tall poppy syndrome was to blame for Delta’s army of haters
‘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 the criticism.
‘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,’ he said.
‘If she tries to change to appease the haters she will never win.’
Nothing new: She may be Australia’s sweetheart, but Delta has been dividing fans of The Voice ever since she debuted on the show in 2012
It comes after a senior record executive admitted he didn’t rate Delta as a musician.
Michael Gudinski, a veteran of the Australian music industry, said on Perth radio on Friday: ‘Look, I’m not the biggest Delta Goodrem fan, I must admit.’
Michael made the comments after being asked about the Music From The Home Front charity 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 during the coronavirus pandemic.
‘I’m not big on celebrities, I’m being honest here,’ he added.
Michael then referenced Delta’s performance in the One World: Together At Home concert, which had been organised by Lady Gaga in April.
‘Look, I’m not the biggest Delta Goodrem fan’: It comes after record executive Michael Gudinski (pictured) admitted he didn’t rate Delta as a musician
‘I thought the COVID performance of hers lacked lustre,’ he said.
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 have slammed Delta on Twitter over her rather ostentatious behaviour on The Voice
‘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