Ceremony stars not paid

THE stars of the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony have turned on musical director Katie Noonan – yesterday describing the show as a “karaoke fest” that totally misread the mood with bizarre song choices like the cover of Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves as the event climax.

It comes as the Bulletin can reveal that none of the stars – ranging from Samantha Jade to The Veronicas and Anthony Callea – were actually paid to perform at Carrara Stadium for Sunday night’s ceremony.

“Katie made sure she was at the front of the group,” one performer noted.

“The rest were stood back behind her standing like sticks as she did her thing.”

Noonan faced similar criticism after her starring role in the opening ceremony, which she directed too.

Another artist, who declined an offer to perform for free as part of the closing ceremony, said: “It was all a bit karaoke. I’m glad I didn’t do it.”

Yet Noonan is standing by the show. Yesterday she posted on Facebook: “Given the current climate, it could not be a more appropriate time to celebrate female talent with an allwomen’s performance at the 2018 Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony”.

Despite the rousing cheers from the audience during the opening ceremony’s classical rendition of Daryl Braithwaite’s Horses, the legend himself did not make the final musical cut.

Braithwaite’s agency Starr Special events confirmed the singer was not approached about a role in the ceremony.

International Entertainment Consulting founder Thea Jeanes-Cochrane said she was disappointed that the responsibility of such a pivotal event was given to an American company. ”I thought it was curious from the start, given the talent we have like Gary Birch,” she said.

Choreographer Anthony Ikin, who worked on the ceremony, said athletes were intentionally sent on to the pitch before the show so they would feel more included, not to exclude them. Channel Seven would not return calls on its knowledge of the changes to the ceremony. Presenter Johanna Griggs was scathing of the host broadcaster and the snub of athletes on Sunday night.

“They made the decision not to have athletes enter the stadium. I’m furious. Actually wrecking a tradition that is so important ... You want to see the athletes come in. You want to see them jumping in front of camera. You want to see them celebrating 11 days of great sport. We missed out on all of that.”