Channel Seven is said to be “delighted” with the shake-up on The Voice Australia this season, with Adam Lambert, LeAnn Rimes, and Kate Miller-Heidke stepping in as the new coaches for the 2024 season, alongside long-term coach Guy Sebastian.

A source told Yahoo Lifestyle that it was a “gamble” to take on new talent and lose big personalities like Rita Ora, Jessica Mauboy, and Jason Derulo, with the new recruits bringing “some surprising diva antics to the 2024 season”.

“You need big personalities so audiences can play along. Australia needs to love them or love to hate them,” a former producer told Yahoo Lifestyle. “That formal is vital in making sure people keep watching.”

The Voice 2024 ‘diva’ moments: ‘Quite intense’

The insider went on to confirm there was some diva moments in the filming of the 2024 season that the Australian format hadn’t quite seen before.

“There were some really interesting moments in filming this series. On set there were diva moments that hadn’t really been seen on the Australian format before,” they said. “It was actually quite intense at times. Especially while the new line-up were finding their feet.”

They went on to say that Kate and Adam weren’t afraid to get competitive when it came to trying to win over their respective talent.

“Everyone noticed while the new coaches were pitching that there was a real competitive streak that really started to pop-up more and more,” the source said. “The diva in Kate Miller-Heidke and Adam Lambert became unavoidable to edit around.

“There were some real diva moments and if they make the final edit, it will make global news.”

‘Every coach for themselves’ as Adam Lambert ‘smashes’ stage

The source went on to say Kate wanted to position with Guy to take on international judges Adam and LeAnn, but when the competition got going it was “every coach for themselves and things were thrown in the battle to win”.

“Kate and Adam really leaned into their pop diva and that was new for the hit show,” the source said. “Adam Lambert actually smashed The Voice Australia stage a number of times. He threw off his shoes, which were custom-made, and because they were so heavy they cracked the perspex the stage is made of.”

However, the drama and lure of future personality clashes between the coaches seems to be paying off. “The ratings are holding strong and so whatever is happening is clearly being embraced,” the insider said.

This year’s season of The Voice Australia saw a huge shake-up with a nearly all-brand-new panel of celebrity coaches, with Guy Sebastian being the only returning mentor. Adam Lambert, LeAnn Rimes and Kate Miller-Heidke are the latest artists to take a seat in the show’s famous red chairs for Season 13.

Yahoo Lifestyle understands that although the revamped panel “keeps the show fresh and exciting” – it is also a strategic way for bosses to “keep production costs down.” This comes as Seven West Media has faced mass redundancies over the last year in a “drive to find more than $100 million in savings across the business” according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

Adam Lambert and LeAnn Rimes on ‘considerably less’

A TV source explained that Adam and LeAnn are believed to be “receiving between $750,000 and $1.2 million” for this season, which is said to be “considerably less” than Rita Ora and Jason Derulo, who appeared as coaches last year.

Meanwhile, Kate Miller-Heidke is believed to be receiving “upwards of $500,000”.

The insider explained: “Talent fees are the biggest expense on a show like this and bringing in stars who are widely known, but not necessarily relevant right now is a good way to cut costs.”

Guy Sebastian’s pay rise

According to Woman’s Day, Guy initially signed a contract worth $750,000-a-season when he joined the show in 2019 – but this is believed to now be worth $1 million.

In 2022, Woman’s Day also reported that negotiations stalled between the coaches and Seven after Guy discovered that he and Jess Mauboy were being paid less than Rita Ora and Keith Urban.

“All four coaches are currently on very different pay terms and all of them, particularly Guy, think it’s unfair and unsustainable,” the magazine’s source claimed at the time.

“After being on the series for some time, he knows it survives on the dynamic and chemistry of the coaches. He’s quietly confident their demands will be met.”

The Voice Australia has a new superstar! Country singer-songwriter Duncan Toombs took to the blind auditions last night, leaving LeAnn Rimes in tears with his rendition of ‘Have A Little Faith’ before performing a song he wrote for his late father.

Duncan turned all four chairs, with coaches Guy Sebastian, LeAnn Rimes, Adam Lambert and Kate Miller-Heidke all battling it out for him to choose them. After LeAnn asked if he writes his own music, Duncan confirmed that he does, before playing an original song he wrote for his late father, leaving many fans of the show (and LeAnn) in tears.

Duncan chose to go on Team LeAnn after saying “country music” has always looked after him.

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The Voice fans make demand after Duncan Toombs’ audition

Duncan took to The Voice‘s Instagram post to express his thanks, after many fans of the show commented on his heartfelt performance.

“I’m overwhelmed with emotions ❤️ and I’m so grateful for all the beautiful messages of love and encouragement,” he wrote, with Kate Miller-Heidke also commenting, “Stunning x”.

Fans flooded the comments, calling the performance the best one of the night.

“Goosebumps! Standing ovation in our house. The backstory, audition song and beautiful written song had me like LeAnn,” one person said. “Give the guy a recording contract! Our family would go and see him in concert!!” another person enthused, while someone else commented they’d “pay to see his show already”.

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“Best performance of the night. So touching and heartfelt,” one fan wrote. “Sooo awesome and that original song about his dad was amazing… great choice of judge,” another person said, with someone else commenting, “Incredible voice. I stopped in my tracks and cried my eyes out.”

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With The Voice Australia currently in its thirteenth season, you’d think fans would be used to hearing all different styles of vocal abilities in the Blind Auditions. However, one contestant sent social media ablaze during Monday night’s episode with their very unique and somewhat “frightening” performance.

17-year-old Mol Turner left viewers stunned when she belted out a heavy metal screamo rendition of Britney Spears’ ‘Toxic’, including plenty of high-pitched screams and deep growls. The South Coast-based singer received a chair turn from Kate Miller-Heidke and a standing ovation from all four coaches.

“That was so much fun, I fully got a kick out of that. I thought that was so interesting,” Adam Lambert said. “I know the screamo thing isn’t necessarily the most mainstream genre, especially for a girl to be doing, and I’m proud of you for getting up there and flexing your muscles.”

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Guy Sebastian added that he’s “never seen anything like that” during his time on The Voice and didn’t turn because he wasn’t sure how he could coach her, while Kate admitted she was “questioning [her] fellow coaches’ judgment”.

“I just have to say, that was so delightful and surprising. I may not have been the coach that you would’ve gone for, but I feel like this is a great match,” she said. “I feel really, really excited about working with you and I can’t wait to choose songs together. It’s going to be so fun.”

Mol ended up performing the song a second time upon Adam’s request, with host Sonia Kruger shown head banging from the sidelines.

Mol’s performance sparks debate online: ‘Very evil’

While the coaches agreed that Mol’s performance was “so cool” and “bada**”, viewers were divided on social media.

“That hurt my ears,” one person wrote, while another added, “That was very scary”.

“Totally agree. Very satanic! Needs lots of prayer,” a third shared, followed by another church-going viewer who agreed, “You said what I yelled in my sitting room – felt like I needed to activate spiritual warfare”.

“Sorry, I don’t find that at all interesting. Just screaming,” a different user remarked, with someone else writing, “She sounded like a poltergeist. Very evil”.

“What was this? I’m sorry but this wasn’t enjoyable,” one viewer commented on Instagram. “It was screaming all the way… Was this for ratings… please!”

Viewers defend Mol’s ‘unique’ performance

However, there were plenty of people who said they weren’t fans of screamo but commended Mol’s talent and skill.

“Not my cup of tea, but the girl has raw power. Glad she has the chance to perform on stage. All talents should be showcased,” one fan remarked.

“This isn’t my style of music, but she did great,” another added, while someone else said, “That was so impressive and unique!”.

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“Omg I absolutely loved it… she can sing in her own way. Not everyone has to sing like Britney Spears or Guy Sebastian,” a different user commented.

“She is actually really good at what she does. It’s on you if you think it’s terrible because it’s not. It’s just not your taste – big difference,” another fan shared.