"That's cheap": Tim Minchin attacked by former senator over emotional moment
In the wake of tragedy, renowned Australian musician and comedian Tim Minchin faced an unexpected wave of criticism from former government minister Amanda Vanstone.
Minchin, who recently shared the heartbreaking news of his mother's death during a concert in Sydney, was accused by Vanstone of "cheapening" the experience by making it public. The public response to Vanstone's comments was swift and overwhelmingly negative.
During last Friday night's concert, Minchin bared his soul to the audience, disclosing that his beloved mother, Ros, had been battling terminal blood cancer for three years. The emotionally charged performance included anecdotes about his mother's life, interspersed with songs he had composed in her honour. The devastating climax came when Minchin revealed that his mother had passed away just a day before, at the age of 74.
In a late-night tweet following the performance, former Senator Amanda Vanstone criticised Minchin for sharing such a personal and private moment with the public.
"Losing a parent is hard," Vanstone wrote. "Whatever age and however expected. But to me it’s a private grief. Making it public seems to cheapen it, make it marketable."
The comments struck a nerve with many, igniting a firestorm of backlash on social media.
Losing a parent is hard. Whatever age and however expected. But to me it’s a private grief. Making it public seems to cheapen it, make it marketable : Tim Minchin stuns audience with sad announcement https://t.co/tSK3LhhvlX via @newscomauHQ
— Amanda Vanstone (@amandavanstone) November 13, 2023
Readers expressed their indignation at Vanstone's perceived lack of empathy, with many arguing that everyone processes grief differently and that Minchin's decision to share his pain was a personal choice. Some accused Vanstone of disrespecting Minchin's right to grieve in his own way, and others called for her to retract her statement.
"Shut down your account you heartless crone - but then you've always been that. However, you've never been cheap - with our money," read one angry post.
"It brings those who have lost their parent together to share their grief. As someone who lost their mum to cancer at a young age, this sharing is what gets me and many others through. You’re entitled to privacy. He’s entitled to share and not be labeled as opportunistic," read a second comment.
"Imagine disrespecting someone’s right to grieve in a way of their choosing. That’s cheap," another said.
Among the many voices condemning Vanstone's comments, an overwhelming outpouring of support for Tim Minchin also emerged. Fans commended the artist for his courage in continuing with the show despite the family tragedy. Many emphasised that sharing grief in a public space can be a source of solace and connection for those who have experienced similar losses. The consensus among Minchin's supporters was that his decision to proceed with the concert demonstrated strength and resilience.
Minchin, undeterred by the controversy, has continued his nationwide tour, receiving rave reviews for his performances. On Instagram, he shared a glowing tribute from a concertgoer, underscoring the beauty of his show and its impact on the audience. The positive response to his performances served as a powerful rebuttal to those who criticised him for sharing his grief publicly.
Images: Instagram / X