Yahoo Lifestyle 
The Voice's Lachie Gill responds to backlash after his win
The Voice was slammed by fans this week, with many implying that winner Lachie Gill won the competition due to his white privilege. Lachie was crowned the winner on Sunday night, with the 24-year-old walking away with a Universal Music Australia recording contract and $100,000.
He was competing against Faith Sosene from Team Jess, Team Guy’s Jordan Tavita and Team Keith’s Thando Sikwil — all “people of colour”.
Fans on social media didn’t hold back, with many saying Lachie had the “weakest voice” but came out on top due to being the “only white person” in the final.
Runner-up Faith even weighed in on the controversy when congratulating Lachie, writing: “We already knew Australia was gonna love & pick you! You’re simply perfect for them.”
It wasn’t long before Faith altered the caption, replacing “for them” with “You’re simply perfect.” As a nod to her other finalists, she added that Thando, Jordan and herself will have to “work harder for our future generations to win. Off to work we go.”
RELATED:
Lachie opened up to the Daily Mail and dismissed these claims, saying that he knows there will always be ‘doubters’, but he refuses to join the conversation about how his race may have contributed to his win.
“I’m just really grateful to my fans who voted for me and have shown their support,” he told the publication.
Fellow contestant Thando also wrote on social media that Lachie deserved the win, and that she was happy for him.
She told her fans to stop contributing to the controversy, saying that she “wasn’t robbed” and instead was “filled with gratitude.”
“I won so much more than money or a title could ever endow. I learned what real self love and self respect truly is and I became courageous.
“All the things I want to teach my daughter, so this is all for you, Char.”
Never miss a thing. Sign up to Yahoo Lifestyle’s daily newsletter.
Or if you have a story idea, email us at lifestyle.tips@yahooinc.com.
