‘The Voice’: Results provoke cries of ‘racism’; Are they valid?

Author: Chuck Barney / Source: The Mercury News

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Pint-sized country crooner Chevel Shepherd was crowned the Season 15 winner of “The Voice” Tuesday night and not everyone was happy about it.

That’s no surprise. After every reality TV competition, fans whose chosen favorites don’t win tend to go ballistic.

But this time there’s some extra bite to the outrage as many viewers took to social media to accuse the show’s voters — and in some cases, even the show itself — of being racist.

The problem? Chevel and second-place finisher Chris Kroeze are both white, while the third- and fourth-place contestants — Kirk Jay and Kennedy Holmes — are black. Clearly, the optics on that one are not great. “Eliminate the black people first,” wrote one Twitter user. “You’re not slick, but okay #TheVoice.”

eliminate the black people first… you’re not slick but okay #thevoice

— search-parties (@search_parties)
Twitter

The disdain was particularly forceful when it came to Holmes’ fourth-place finish. A 14-year-old R&B specialist from St. Louis, Holmes finished the competition on a strong note with three standout performances on Monday that had fans and critics raving. Many believed she had a great chance to win, or at least make it into the Final 2.

So it was shocking to see her take fourth.

Among the baffled viewers was “The View” co-host Sunny Hostin, who tweeted, “Um I’m confused. How is it possible that Kennedy cane (sic) in 4th place?”