EXCLUSIVE: The Truth Behind My Feud With Harry Connick Jr.: Kyle Sandilands Reveals What He Really Thinks About His Fellow Australian Idol Judge And Why He Was Destined To Clash With The American Heartthrob
Kyle Sandilands has revealed what he really thinks of Aussie Idol judge Harry Connick Jr. as their on-screen feuds continue to make headlines.
While their rivalry has caused a lot of tension, Kyle, 51, says he has nothing but “respect” for the 55-year-old American hitmaker.
‘People keep saying it’s some kind of ‘fight’, but it’s not a fight. Harry is Harry. He’s likable, he’s a muse…he’s an artist, with all the flowery nonsense that comes with being an artist,” Kyle told Daily Mail Australia this week.
“It’s fun to have a bit of controversy (on the show),” he added with a laugh.
Kyle explained that the two men were always going to clash due to their differing views on what kind of advice the contestants should be given.
Kyle Sandilands, 51, (left) has thrown cold water on rumors about his so-called ‘feud’ with Australian Idol judge Harry Connick Jr., 55 (right)
While Kyle has worked in commercial radio for decades and believes that aspiring pop stars should focus on delivering continuous hits, Harry believes that artistic expression is critical to a successful career.
‘He is very nice. We just have different opinions about what is important. But I’m still very respectful to him, and he’s very respectful to me,” Kyle explained.
‘There’s no growling at each other in the background. I wouldn’t put up with that.
‘People keep saying it’s some kind of ‘enmity’, but it’s not a feud. Harry is Harry. He’s likable, he’s a muse…he’s an artist, with all the flowery nonsense that comes with being an artist,” Kyle told Daily Mail Australia this week.
He also noted that the “extremely polite” Harry was surprised when he met Kyle, who is known for his acid tongue and no-holds-barred attitude.
‘When he first came to Australia, he said, ‘Holy crap, who is this guy telling kids, ‘You stink, go away!’ That was probably very confronting for him, because he’s soft and nice,” she explained.
Elsewhere, Kyle shared some brutal advice for the young singers competing on Australian Idol this year.
Kyle explained that they were always going to clash thanks to their differing views on what kind of advice the contestants should be given.
‘(The contestants) think that’s what’s hard, winning. It’s not, it’s every record you put out, you’re only as good as your last song,’ she warned.
So, you put out three (bad) songs in a row and you’re dead, it’s over for you. You have to start over and convince everyone that it’s worth investing. That’s the hard part.
The winner of Australian Idol will receive $100,000 in cash and a record deal with Sony Music.
Kyle and Harry are joined on the Australian Idol judging panel by local pop sensation Amy Shark and American hitmaker Meghan Trainor.
Kyle and Harry are joined on the Australian Idol judging panel by local pop sensation Amy Shark (2nd from right) and American hitmaker Meghan Trainor (2nd from left)
