Some of the biggest names in music have offered their support to X Factor New Zealand contestant Joe Irvine, after judges Natalia Kills and Willy Moon were fired for bullying him on the show.
The pairs' comments have since been dubbed by international media as some of the meanest ever on the reality show.
"As an artist who respects creative integrity and intellectual property, I am disgusted at how much you've copied my husband," Kills said to Irvine on Sunday. "From the hair to the suit, do you not have any value or respect for originality?
"You're a laughing stock. It's cheesy, it's disgusting. I personally found it absolutely artistically atrocious. I am embarrassed to be sitting here in your presence even having to dignify you with an answer of my opinion."
Her husband continued the attack, saying it was "cheap and absurd".
MediaWorks said the couple's comments were unacceptable and they were removed from the programme yesterday.
Within hours of the announcement the world had weighed in on the decision, with the likes of Lorde, Ed Sheeran and Ellie Goulding offering their support to Irvine.
@jooe63_joe don't worry about what anyone else says man. Enjoy yourself with it, that's what singing is about, not what other people think
— Ed Sheeran (@edsheeran) March 16, 2015
Irvine replied to Sheeran, saying "thank you so much, I'm a huge fan of yours, love all of your songs, I really want to meet you".
The deleted Ellie Goulding Tweet about Natalia Kills and Willy Moon has me in lolllls pic.twitter.com/WnmG0Msmqi
— Sharyn Casey (@ShakefieldCasey) March 16, 2015
There's some work to be done in #Vanuatu, @NataliaKills and @willymoon if you've got a spare minute. #xfactornz http://t.co/ZW2Ox3Hme2
— World Vision NZ (@WorldVisionNZ) March 16, 2015
Our very own Lorde even sent Irvine cupcakes and a hand-written note.
@jooe63_joe lorde sent me cupcakes I thank u so much I love them pic.twitter.com/11kFEoVqwn
— joe irvine (@jooe63_joe) March 16, 2015
Read More:
- Natalia Kills, Willy Moon fired from X Factor NZ
- Judges' chairs empty after X Factor sacking
- Who are Natalia Kills and Willy Moon?
3 News
source: newshub archive
