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The Voice judge Guy Sebastian has gone head-to-head with a contestant who failed to score a chair turn in a rare on-stage showdown.
During Tuesday night’s blind audition episode, singer Sam Harper was visibly disappointed when all four judges – Guy, Jason Derulo, Jess Mauboy and Rita Ora – didn’t choose him to be part of their team.
His reaction prompted a heartfelt response from Guy, who offered up some constructive criticism of the NSW singer’s performance.
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“The look I just saw on your face is probably the worst part of doing this show – and it’s that look of disappointment, that look of you feeling like you did something wrong,” he said.
“For me, personally, I feel like where it started it ended. It didn’t feel terribly dynamic for me. I think dynamics is one thing as a coach throughout the show that I really strive for.”
However 24-year-old Harper argued that he was pleased with his performance.
“I thought as I was pretty happy with how I sang,” he said. “Maybe I came out a bit too strong – didn’t leave enough dynamic room perhaps.”
Speaking to Jason, he added: “I normally sing a lot of jazz, so I do understand dynamics and I love singing softly, I love doing falsetto as well.”
Harper then went on to blame the song – Late Night Talking by Harry Styles – for the failed audition.
“Maybe it was just that the song is kind of jam packed – and kind of starts strong, finishes strong,” he said. “So yeah, I’m not sure, I’m not sure.”
The response prompted Guy to challenge Harper.
“But I think this song is great though, Sam,” he said. “Like it wasn’t a pitch perfect performance.
“I hate it when people just blame the song. The song is a great song.
“And sometimes we all get thrown songs and it’s what we do with it. You still need to be able to shine through.”
After Harper eventually left the stage, the other judges commended Guy for the approach he took.
“I really appreciate you saying that,” Jason said.
Rita also said: “I was like, I can’t say anything else – there’s nothing else to say.”
However Guy said he was really hoping that Harper took a positive message out of the audition, even though he didn’t get through to the next round.
“I think sometimes it’s really difficult for people to digest the disappointment. Their failsafe is to blame maybe the song or blame somebody else,” he said.
“But like you can do that if you’ve nailed it!
“And I always want them to know that like hang on you can get some positivity out of this experience but please listen.”
However Jess suggested this may have been Harper’s problem.
“He didn’t listen,” she said. “He didn’t want to listen.”
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