G.Bukhchuluun ‘unfairly’ eliminated from The Voice Australia

A new episode of The Voice Australia aired on June 21 with Battle Round. Ethnic singer and musician G.Bukhchuluun, professionally known as Bukhu, duetbattled against American singer Johnny Manuel.

The talented singers under coach Guy Sebastian performed “Earth Song” by Michael Jackson in ethnic pop style. Johnny Manuel was famous before The Voice for his success in America’s Got Talent 2017. The song opened with Johnny’s magnificent vocals and followed by Bukhu’s morin khuur and throat singing. However, the judges noticed the lack of singing part for Bukhu in the performance.

One of the judges said Bukhu basically looked like a backup singer or musician whose purpose is to add some ethnic elements to Johnny’s performance. It was an unfair arrangement for Bukhu and it wasn’t even “battle”, according to other judges of the show.

Bukhu only sang six words throughout the twominute performance. As is tradition, the other coaches gave feedback, and that led to verbal sparring between judges. Coach Delta said, “I’m struggling to understand how this was a battle. It felt like Bukhu was (Johnny’s) backing player. Bukhu, I didn’t get to hear any of your vocals, that I heard, that I know we all turned around for in the blinds. I didn’t at all feel it was fair,” after praising Johnny’s singing. Coach Kelly also praised Johnny’s voice as “spotless”.

“It’s so unfortunate that Johnny can’t relish in this incredible moment. You (Guy) actually took that away from him, because you chose a song for them that Bukhu can only be backing up.”

Guy replied to the coaches with a question

“Did you guys turn around for Bukhu for his vocals? Let’s be real.”

In a very rude way and expressed that he himself didn’t. He claimed that he turned around because of his uniqueness, throat singing and his “insane” musicianship. Things got heated when Delta and Kelly turned against Guy after he said, “You guys are crapping on a moment,” and said that he doesn’t care about battle element and wanted both of them to shine.

The judges were arguing over each other about fundamentals of battle rounds and what was the best solution to make both of them shine on the stage in their own ways.

Bukhu was asked if he feels unfair about the part he played.

“Honestly, I don’t know,” he replied. The two performers were awkwardly standing there and watching the judges argue about what just happened. Kelly said that rules break all the time, but if it is something new, then they have to do something like this on every battle. Guy backed him up and Kelly walkedoff the show saying, “I’m not gonna do this”. Guy said the walkoff was “disrespectful,” and Kelly shouted back, “No, you are disrespectful!”

After the ordeal, Guy chose Johnny over Bukhu to keep competing, as expected, and Kelly came back as producers calmed her down and continued the show.

The social media was boiling with comments against Guy, even excluding comments from Mongolian audiences.

Bukhu was interviewed by Daily Mail Australia and claimed that he was “relieved” to get eliminated. He said that he was happy with the ending and his purpose to join the show was to promote his music to the world. He says he fulfilled his purpose.