Delta & Russell
THE SHOCK REVELATION THAT WILL HAVE FANS REELING!
Is Russell Crowe the new coach on The Voice? That’s the hot new rumour sweeping Aussie showbiz circles, and it could see the Hollywood star side by side with Delta Goodrem during months of filming.
With legendary singer Seal, 54, bowing out of the line-up for the 2018 series of the reality show, producers have been frantically searching for a highprofile star to join the cast.
And with all eyes on Oscarwinner Russell, 53, after his latest album topped the itunes and Amazon charts, they’re hoping that he’ll agree to take up the role.
‘It’s true, this is the rumour everyone’s talking about,’ says an industry insider. ‘And no wonder – seeing Russell and Delta on The Voice together would be a real game-changer.
‘Obviously Russell would be a major coup because of his star power – and given that he knows the celebrity game like no-one else and he’s a successful musician, he’d make a killer mentor.
‘His new album is going gangbusters and his latest tour was a sell-out. He would be a natural for the role – it’s just whether Russ thinks it’s the best next step for him.’
Speculation has been rife over who will replace Seal since it was revealed in October the singer wouldn’t be returning to the show with fellow coaches Delta, 33, Kelly Rowland, 36, and Boy George, 56.
And while ‘scores of celebs’ have been suggested for the key part, producers agree they need someone who ‘can shine with Delta’.
‘One of the best things about Seal was the spark he and Delta had,’ says the industry source. ‘Of course, there was a romantic side to their relationship and there was a great deal of affection that the viewers loved – but most of all, it was their banter on stage that really worked.
‘Producers will be hoping that Russell and Delta will have the same chemistry on screen. No-one is suggesting there’ll be a romance, but the fact that Russell is a great guy, really compassionate, and also has a larrikin and witty side will work well with Delta. It would really work.’
Boy George did nothing to water down rumours that Russell could be the next host during an interview with KIIS FM’S Kyle and Jackie O last week. Revealing that he believed the new host was a bloke and that the show needed a ‘man’s man’ coach who’d appeal to female audiences, he described the actor to a tee.
‘I think it’s going to be a chap. A man, a geezer, a bloke,’ he told the radio show.
‘You got Delta and Kelly, that’s the female fraternity taken care of, and then you’ve got me – I’m a bit of everything! You need a kind of... like man’s man.’
Russell’s music career is experiencing a resurgence since his well-known band 30 Odd Foot Of Grunts dissolved in 2005. His latest album The Musical with Indoor Garden Party – a collaboration of talented musicians – topped charts around the world, with a sell-out tour of England and Ireland that received rave reviews from fans and critics.
‘What an amazing show,’ wrote one fan, while another took to social media to gush: ‘A great band and a great album.’
But with Hollywood roles coming in and rumours of even more tour dates, sources say he may not have time for The Voice – or be interested in it.
‘He’s one of the biggest and busiest stars in the world, and he may feel a reality show is beneath him,’ says a source. ‘But fans would love to see him on The Voice – I guess time will tell.’