Guy Sebastian has settled his feud with fellow musician Ben Lee after the pair fell out last week over The Voice coach’s decision to boycott the #VaxTheNation campaign.
Ben, 43, had accused Guy on Twitter of ‘trying to be all things to all people’ after he withdrew his support for the campaign urging Aussies to get vaccinated against Covid-19 in order to stop the cycle of lockdowns and restart the live music industry.
While his comments suggested the Australian Idol winner had caved into pressure from anti-vaxxers, Ben has since told the I Swear I Never podcast they’re on good terms after ‘diffusing the situation’ privately.
Guy Sebastian (left) has settled his feud with fellow musician Ben Lee (right) after the pair fell out last week over The Voice coach’s decision to boycott the #VaxTheNation campaign
Lee told hosts Nina Young and Bek Day he hadn’t intended for his tweet to start a ‘pile-on’, adding: ‘I actually feel for [Guy] in this situation, and I think he’s trying to respect the values of his audience, his family and the people around him.
‘Me and him were DMing last night and trying to diffuse the situation a little bit.
‘I was saying, I think part of the reason the clarifications you’ve made haven’t landed is because if you continue to focus on this “personal choice” aspect, it can almost be perceived as a dog whistle to anti-vaxxers.
‘Whereas the reality is, we’re not talking about mandating vaccines, we’re talking about taking a collective action in community health. There’s been no suggestion that vaccines are going to be forced.’
Ben, 43, had accused Guy on Twitter of ‘trying to be all things to all people’ after he withdrew his support for the campaign urging Aussies to get vaccinated against Covid-19 in order to stop the cycle of lockdowns and restart the live music industry
Criticism: ‘To be honest, this is actually a really sad example of what happens when your career is dependent on trying to be all things to all people,’ Ben tweeted after Guy’s backflip
The saga began last Monday when Guy, 39, shared a post on Instagram endorsing the #VaxTheNation campaign, but deleted it just hours later and uploaded a bizarre video apologising to his fans.
While he didn’t specify his reasons for backpedalling, it’s believed he withdrew his support after being trolled by anti-vaxxers on social media.
The Battle Scars singer explained he wanted to end the lockdown but didn’t want to preach to anyone about ‘their personal health choices’ regarding the vaccine.
‘Hello, everybody. I just wanted to jump on here to clear something up,’ he said in his video, which was filmed at his $3.1million Maroubra home.
While his comments suggested Guy had caved into pressure from anti-vaxxers, Ben has since revealed they’re on good terms after ‘diffusing the situation’ privately via DMs. Pictured: a mock-up of the conversation, as recounted by Ben on the I Swear I Never podcast
‘I’m sure some of you today might have seen an industry call-out with the best of intentions for our live music industry, which is absolutely decimated, trying to find a pathway forward so we can all assemble together again.
‘I’ve always done everything that I can to support my industry but the campaign was posted to my page without my direct involvement.
‘And while I, like everyone else in my industry, want things to get going again, it is not my role to communicate in the way that post was communicated.’
‘I would never ever tell people what to do when it comes to their personal health choices,’ Guy added, in reference to the Covid vaccine.
‘I’m very sensitive of it, not only at a public level but even in my personal life with people who have had circumstances that they have to consider when making these choices.’
He continued: ‘I just want to say I’m really sorry. It was not a post that was communicated with love or compassion, which I feel is what’s needed when it comes to addressing things like vaccinations.
‘I just wanted to clarify that so that I could speak my truth and people know how I actually feel. So lots of love.’
Fans and fellow musicians expressed their disappointment after Guy withdrew his support for the campaign, with one tweeting: ‘Is he telling the industry he’s above #VaxTheNation?
‘Once his supporters aren’t allowed into a show there’ll be another backflip! Without the backbone it’ll make it easier for him!’
The saga began last Monday when Guy, 39, shared a post on Instagram endorsing the #VaxTheNation campaign, but deleted it just hours later and uploaded a bizarre video apologising to his fans. While he didn’t specify his reasons for backpedalling, it’s believed he withdrew his support after being trolled by anti-vaxxers on social media
Perth alternative rock trio Shangrila commented: ‘Love you Guy Sebastian and I know there’s no winning that fight for you (comments were crazy) but I wish you didn’t back out of this post man. #VaxTheNation.’
Ben then tweeted: ‘To be honest, this is actually a really sad example of what happens when your career is dependent on trying to be all things to all people.’
The musician’s commentary was later a talking point on Ray Hadley’s 2GB program, with Guy calling in to say: ‘Ben’s a beautiful guy – but he’s only weighing in on a narrative that’s already been set, which wasn’t the correct narrative.’
During the segment, a furious Hadley also told Guy to ‘get off the fence’.
He said his ‘weak’ apology video was appeasing anti-vaxxers who are keeping Australia locked down, saying: ‘Get the splinters out of your arse. Get off the fence.’
Ray noted that Guy had previously said he trusted the science and wanted to get vaccinated as soon as possible, but had now changed his tune.
He added: ‘Grow a set, Guy. Don’t [listen] those who are on your [Instagram] saying, “I’ll never listen to you again, won’t buy your CDs…” Grow a set, mate.
‘You’re better than that. That was a weak-kneed response, when the vast bulk of the people in your industry are desperate to get back to work, and the only way they get back to work is through double vaccination.
‘That was a really weak response.’
When Guy called into the program to challenge Hadley, the talkback presenter stood his ground, saying: ‘I’m very disappointed in you, to tell you the truth.’
‘I’m equally disappointed in you, Ray,’ Guy replied.
The Angels Brought Me Here star insisted he’d only distanced himself from the #VaxTheNation campaign because he knows people who can’t get the vaccine for medical reasons.
‘I think it’s a very false narrative and you’ve actually missed the point of what I’m saying. I haven’t said I don’t support vaccinations – I’m double-jabbed myself,’ he said.
‘My point is that there are people who I have personal relationships with that also fall into a category of consideration. I personally choose to be inclusive of people who have genuine reasons – I’m talking about teachers who’ve taught for 25 years that can’t teach, I’m talking about musicians and crew who have legitimate medical reasons why it’s a much more difficult situation.’
Ben’s commentary was a talking point on Ray Hadley’s (pictured) 2GB program, with Guy calling in to say: ‘He’s only weighing in on a narrative that’s already been set, which wasn’t the correct narrative.’ Hadley then accused Guy of being ‘weak’ by caving into anti-vaxxers
But Hadley said there was nothing in Guy’s apology video about people with legitimate reasons for not getting vaccinated, and ended the segment by telling the star: ‘I still think you’re wrong.’
He also echoed Ben’s sentiments that Guy was ‘trying to be all things to all people’ by getting the vaccine himself while pushing the ‘pro-choice’ argument online.
More than 400 Australian artists and performers have joined forces to launch the #VaxTheNation campaign.
Guy (pictured with wife Jules) said he wanted to end the lockdown but didn’t want to preach to anyone about ‘their personal health choices’ regarding the vaccine
Powderfinger, Jimmy Barnes, Tim Minchin, Courtney Barnett, Celeste Barber, Vance Joy, Em Rusciano, Marcia Hines, Midnight Oil and Amy Shark are just some of the big names encouraging fans to get the vaccine to help restart the live music industry.
#VaxTheNation is an initiative created by the newly established LIVE (Live Industry Venues + Entertainment) alliance.
A campaign spokesperson said: ‘We all miss our loved ones – our friends, our family, and being able to gather again. We all want to get back to the magic of live events.
‘#VAXTHENATION is not a political campaign tied to any Government, and we welcome open conversation.
‘The campaign is self-funded by the industry and the position of the LIVE Alliance is that high vaccination rates are the only way to get the show back on the road.
‘We are encouraging people to seek professional health advice and make an informed choice.’
More than 400 Australian artists have joined forces to launch the #VaxTheNation campaign