Australian singer Tones And I has addressed the collapse of negotiations with the NRL after the league confirmed it would abandon its traditional Grand Final pre-match entertainment.
The news broke on Tuesday when Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter V’landys revealed the NRL would no longer proceed with plans for The Voice coach to perform at next month’s decider.
Instead, the money that would have been spent on the entertainment act will reportedly be redirected towards helping children who cannot afford to participate in rugby league.
However, Tones And I’s management has clarified that no official deal was ever signed or confirmed in writing.
In a statement provided to ABC Sport, management representative Regan Lethbridge said the decision came down to the singer’s existing commitments.
“Tones was recently approached to perform the pre-show at the NRL grand final,” the statement read
“An offer was presented to Tones via management on September 5.”
The statement explained that Tones And I had been trying to make the performance work around a previous commitment with US artist Macklemore.
“Tones had a prior commitment with Macklemore in America and explored all avenues to make it work,” the statement continued.
“Nothing was signed or confirmed in writing.
“Due to the last-minute nature and prior commitments by Tones, we were unable to accept the offer.
“We wish the NRL nothing but the very best for their event.”
Tones And I’s Grand Final performance plans reportedly fell apart over this one request
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, one reported sticking point in negotiations was the NRL’s alleged request for Tones And I to perform her global smash hit Dance Monkey — a song the singer has previously revealed she does not enjoy performing.
The track became a worldwide phenomenon after its release in 2019, topping charts across the globe and becoming one of Australia’s biggest musical exports.
However, neither Tones And I’s team nor NRL boss Peter V’landys has confirmed that the song choice played a role in the collapse of talks.
The reported disagreement comes after Tones And I was also navigating other professional commitments, including a planned performance with US rapper Macklemore.
Macklemore recently faced his own touring shake-up after he was removed from Ed Sheeran’s The Loop Tour following backlash over his public comments supporting Palestine.
