Australian Idol brings back Marcia Hines
Australian Idol has brought back Marcia Hines as a guest judge just weeks after the show was blasted for its lack of diversity.
Radio shock jock Kyle Sandilands will be joined by US singers Meghan Trainor and Harry Connick Jr and Australian pop star Amy Shark as judges on the talent show.
Now, Channel Seven announced that “beloved musical treasure” Marcia will be a guest judge for an unspecified period of time.
Marcia was one of the original judges on Australian Idol back when the show aired on Ten between 2003 and 2009.
Channel Seven announced the judges in September and fans slammed the show for their lack of diversity.
Kyle responded to the criticism saying that it was not about diversity but rather who was the right person for the job.
“You can’t say, ‘one judge has got to be a non-binary black person’. That’s not how the real world works. And it shouldn’t,” he said.
“It should be whoever is worthy of doing it – gay, straight, black, white, non-binary, whatever – that’s not taken into consideration, and it shouldn’t be.”
Marcia said she is excited to be back on the big screen to help uncover hidden talent.
“Australian Idol is a great vehicle for uncovering some fantastic Australian talent,” she said.
“I know it’s not an easy task singing in front of strangers, but I hope that contestants show us their heart and the gift that is their voice.”
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