Radio personality Kyle Sandilands engaged in a heated exchange with his colleagues Brooklyn Ross and Mary Madigan on Tuesday, resorting to verbal abuse during an interview with a school principal. The incident occurred while interviewing Janelle Rowe, a primary school principal who resigned after facing backlash for not celebrating an annual LGBT+ awareness event.
Ross took issue with Rowe's decision to instead host a "Bullying No Way Week," interpreting it as a dismissal of the LGBT+ community. When Rowe stated her intention was to present a more "broad" and "age-appropriate" message, Ross questioned the appropriateness of discussing being gay or having same-sex parents. Sandilands intervened, defending Rowe and denying her stance was anti-LGBT+.
During the discussion, Sandilands called Ross a "dumb c***" after Ross repeatedly questioned the principal's reasoning. Sandilands then turned his attention to entertainment reporter Mary Madigan when she attempted to defend Ross, telling her to "shut up." Sandilands insisted he was explaining the situation and that the principal was "being attacked for just trying to broaden it out."
Ross, sounding more subdued, stated he felt attacked, but Sandilands reiterated that the principal was not against the gay or trans communities and aimed to teach young children about bullying.
The public exchange follows recent personal health news for Sandilands. He disclosed that a brain aneurysm diagnosed last year has grown. Sandilands shared on his subscription show that a medical checkup revealed the aneurysm had increased by a millimeter, a development he described as "not great news." He expressed a desire to avoid surgery, stating he does not want to die and fears being operated on. The aneurysm, initially four millimeters, has reportedly grown by 25 percent over the past year and a half. Doctors have not yet recommended surgical removal due to the associated risks.