Major sports events should stop relying on ‘legacy acts’ says World Cup performer Emmanuel Kelly

Australian singer-songwriter Emmanuel Kelly has urged sporting organisations to look past “legacy acts” when booking performers for major events.

The singer – who performed at the half-time show in this Summer’s World Cup final – says that Australian media and sports bodies should instead look to young, up-and-coming local and differently abled talent.

He said: “A big thank you to the millions of people, including superstars like Coldplay, Vanessa Williams, Nicole Scherzinger, for supporting me, Emmanuel Kelly putting up his only hand to headline the NRL [National Rugby League] Grand Final.

“NRL has chosen not to pursue entertainment this year, and instead pursue tribute to the amazing Jai Arrow. On your mate, you’re an extraordinary human.”

In a new video posted to Instagram, he went on to call for the inclusion of disabled talent at major events: “During this process, I’ve noticed that the media here in Australia and the the sporting industry as a whole have only endorsed and looked at past and legacy acts, or acts that are already established and don’t necessarily need the extra lift-up, instead of focusing on the young, up-and-coming, extraordinary talent that is here at home,

“For years, Australia used to dominate the world when it came to uplifting and endorsing new talent, now I want to focus in particular on the differently abled, or disabled community, or as I like to call it: the outlier community.

“Take me for example. I’m differently abled. I’m an outlier. I’m the first person in history to ever do a stadium tour as a differently abled person. I’m also the first person in history to ever do two World Cups back to back as a headliner or special guest.

“Yet, not once have I been booked in this country for a global event, unless it’s to tick a box for National Disability Week.”

He added: “That’s not on. That’s not what this community wants. We don’t want to be booked just as a tick box. We want to be seen as the extraordinary talent that we are.

“Look at the incredible Eliza Hull, Sean Millis, Elly-May Barnes, and they still struggle to get a booking at giant global events on a main stage.”

Kelly issued a call for change: “The AFL and the NRL are global forums. These are forums that can uplift and enable. And instead, we’re constantly choosing to regress. I see this as a form of discrimination.

“So change your act, find the present, and book for the future. We have to do better, Australia.”