“Just wondering, so singers who are already successful can go on the show?”

The Voice Cassie Henderson

Fans of The Voice Australia have started to question the premise of the show after noticing this season is boasting some young talent who already seem to have previously established music careers.

Eyebrows were raised after Cassie Henderson got a four-chair turn last week on the show, with some fans recognising the New Zealand pop star who boasts nearly 200,000 combined followers across her Instagram and TikTok.

The singer previously shot to fame on X Factor New Zealand in 2013 when she was just 14 years old. Last year, it was reported she had signed to Sony Music NZ, and she’s currently on tour in New Zealand with US star Alex Warren.
Cassie Henderson on the X Factor NZ in 2013Cassie first appeared on the X-Factor NZ over a decade ago. Image: Seven

The Voice Australia fans confused over Cassie Henderson’s audition: ‘This feels really weird’

On TikTok, fans started to question why seemingly successful artists were auditioning for the show. “They do know she has been hugely successful already, hey?” one person said after the judges all turned their chairs for Cassie. “Just wondering, so singers who are already successful can go on the show?” someone else questioned.

“This feels really weird because I remember her on the X Factor NZ,” someone else said, with another commenting, “How are you allowed to compete when you’re literally an opening act for Alex Warren?”

In a statement to Chattr, Channel Seven said: “The Voice remains committed to celebrating artists from all walks of life and every stage of their musical journey. We welcome performers of all levels – from experienced singers to those stepping onto a stage for the very first time.”

Other fans of The Voice point out reason “successful” artists still audition

Other fans pointed out that while Cassie may have success in New Zealand, it’s still a relatively small pond in the music industry.

“She is an incredibly small artist in NZ, if she wants to get bigger, she has to branch out, going on a TV show overseas is her best bet!” one person commented.

“The Voice UK often has already successful singers/actors. Noticeably a West End theatre singer, an actor etc. That’s why it’s a blind audition,” someone else said.

Cassie isn’t the only artist who’s started making a name for themselves prior to auditioning for this season of The Voice. Charlie O’Derry‘s Instagram shows that he recently went on tour with Thelma Plum, and the upcoming star released his first single earlier this year.

Over previous years, well-known Aussies have also auditioned for The Voice, including Jack Vidgen who won Australia’s Got Talent in 2011, Lee Harding who first shot to fame on Australian Idol in 2005, Chris Sebastian, the brother of Guy Sebastian, and Michael Paynter, who had a string of hit singles in the ’00s.