Richard Marx, a judge on The Voice Australia, faced backlash from viewers for his critical remarks to contestant Mikayla Durrant after she failed to secure a spot in the next round. Durrant, who had performed a rendition of "Have You Ever Seen The Rain," revealed that she is studying ecology and conservation with the goal of becoming a wildlife scientist, a confession that prompted a strong reaction from Marx.
Marx, 62, emphasized the intense dedication required for a music career, stating, "the people who end up having music careers, there is no backup plan." He advised Durrant, "You know what, then you should be a wildlife scientist." He further elaborated that aspiring musicians must be "so passionate about it" and willing to say "yes" to every opportunity, as the industry is highly competitive. Marx suggested that auditions should not be a "waste our f***ing time" if contestants are not fully committed.
Fellow judge Tones and I, whose own musical journey involved significant sacrifice, appeared to support Marx's sentiment, noting that "passion is everything" and there is "no backup plan" in the music business. However, the public response on social media was largely negative, with many viewers finding Marx's comments unnecessarily harsh and dismissive of the contestant's broader interests and future plans.
Critics pointed to successful musicians with academic backgrounds, such as Brian May of Queen, who holds a PhD in astrophysics, questioning if Marx would have advised him similarly. Some social media users called Marx "rude" and "washed up," with suggestions that he "go back to America." Others commented that having a backup plan is a sign of intelligence and that many contestants on such shows have day jobs. Viewers expressed disappointment, with one remarking that the incident had changed their mind about participating in similar shows.
Marx, known for his 1980s and 1990s hits like "Right Here Waiting," joined The Voice Australia as a coach for its fourteenth season alongside Ronan Keating, Mel C, and Kate Miller-Heidke. He has served as a judge on the show since the previous year.