Australian Idol judges Kyle Sandilands and Harry Connick Jr. continue their long-running feud as they clash over contestants taking ‘risks’
Kyle Sandilands and fellow Australian Idol judge Harry Connick Jr. continued their high-profile fight on Sunday’s episode of the singing competition.
The pair traded barbs as they battled it out on the contestants as it was revealed the top six will all be put to a public vote ahead of the final episode.
While radio star Kyle insisted that singers pick songs viewers will love, Harry encouraged them to challenge themselves and take risks.
Kyle criticized the singers for deciding right at the end of the contest, “Oh, let’s do something different” and said it made him “freak out”.
Harry replied that “respectfully” Kyle didn’t understand what he was talking about.
Kyle Sandilands (pictured) and fellow Australian Idol judge Harry Connick Jr. continued their high-profile beef during Sunday’s episode of the singing competition
‘That’s what I understand. You show up in a Ferrari and not a Datsun with mag wheels on it,” Kyle interjected, before warning the singers not to try to “impress” Harry, but rather think about the audience.
‘It’s a place where you sing to win. You win the record deal and then you go and do your aerial fairy artist party stuff,” he insisted.
Kyle recently lifted the lid on his “feud” with the American crooner on the reality show.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Sandilands, 51, insisted the rivalry between the two was genuine.
‘It’s not bulls**t. There isn’t really any drama. It’s like, you know when someone just doesn’t like you, can you tell? he explained.
Kyle criticized the singers for deciding right at the end of the contest, “Oh, let’s do something different” and said it made him “freak out”. Harry (pictured) replied that ‘respectfully’ Kyle didn’t understand what he was talking about
‘That’s what I understand. You show up in a Ferrari not a Datsun with alloy wheels on it,’ Kyle interjected.
“Maybe it’s because he’s not running around and praising me, which I don’t expect him to do, like it’s ironic, but he’s at an end. and I’m on the other.”
Sandilands insisted he doesn’t “hate” the singer, but suggested they aren’t close because they “don’t really spend a lot of time together”.
‘He’s flat. I’m super busy. It’s not a rivalry or a drama… It’s just not close like Meghan (Trainor) and me.
Sandilands and Connick Jr. are joined on the Australian Idol judging panel by local pop sensation Amy Shark and American hitmaker Meghan Trainor.
The rivals are joined on the Australian Idol judging panel by local pop sensation Amy Shark (second from right) and US hitmaker Meghan Trainor (second from left)
Sandilands previously revealed that he and Connick Jr. had a major “explosion” on the phone and the couple no longer spoke to each other.
Speaking to KIIS FM bandmates Will and Woody, Sandilands said he felt Connick Jr. never liked him, so things were “sticky” between them from the start.
The rivalry came to a head when Sandilands lambasted Connick Jr. in an interview for “talking about the pronouns” of the contestants, leading to a strained appeal.
‘I just thought ‘what a flop’ and hung up. That was it. Friendship over,” Sandilands said.
The pair aren’t talking about lag anymore, and it’s unclear if the judges’ spat will affect either of their appearances on the show going forward.
Sandilands revealed that he and Connick Jr. had a major “blowout” on the phone and the pair were no longer on good terms.
