‘The Voice’ Slammed as “Racist” After Season 22 Semifinals: “The Producers Should Be Embarrassed”
By Raven Brunner - Decider
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The Voice is being accused of racism and favoring “young, white, country male singers” after the results of this season’s semi-finals were revealed, which were determined by a public vote.
Anticipation grew Monday (Dec. 5) and Tuesday (Dec. 6) night during the NBC competition’s two-part semifinal, which saw the eight remaining performers competing to advance to the final round.
It was revealed that Blake Shelton‘s three contestants — Bryce Leatherwood, bodie and Brayden Lape — plus Camila Cabello‘s contestant Morgan Myles were marked “safe” by viewers, per USA Today, leaving John Legend’s three performers — Kim Cruse, Parijita Bastola and Omar Jose Cardona — and Gwen Stefani‘s Justin Aaron in the bottom four.
While competing for the fifth spot of the finals, Cardona advanced with his cover of Lady Gaga’s “You and I.”
These results angered the online community as the top four performers who received the most votes were white, while all the acts left in the bottom four were all people of color. Many deemed that the public votes did not represent the contestants’ talent and, instead, were acts of racism.
One tweeted, “The demographic who watches The Voice is definitely racist and favors the young, white, country male singers. They’re not even the most talented. Let a POC get the spotlight they deserve.”
Another wrote, “This show is racist . The producers should be embarrassed. The best voices are left standing.”
“America is clearly delusional, confused and oh, can’t forget racist,” penned a third, who ended their tweet with #TheVoice.
The competition series has run for 22 seasons since its 2011 premiere and has never shied from featuring a diverse selection of contestants, with past winners including Javier Colon, Jermaine Paul, and Cam Anthony; however, historically, a majority of the advancing contestants are predominantly white.
The show has also cycled through a variety of coaches, but seems to favor optics over anything else, avoiding overlap. When it comes to Black coaches, Cee Lo Green held the role in Seasons 1-3 and 5, and was replaced by Usher in Seasons 4 and 6. Upon Usher’s departure in Season 7, Alicia Keys was brought in for Seasons 11-12 and 14, replaced by Jennifer Hudson for Seasons 13 and 15, and the pattern continues.
Comparatively, Blake Shelton and Adam Levine have coached, side by side, along with Kelly Clarkson and Gwen Stefani (also with Shelton).
With current coach Legend taking a leave of absence for the next season, Chance the Rapper is set to be his replacement.
Decider has reached out to NBC for comment, but did not hear back by time of publication.
The Voice‘s two-part finale airs December 12 and 13 on NBC.
