‘Today’ Host Richard Wilkins Angers Kiwis After Calling Lorde ‘Australasian’
Lorde is a Kiwi, but that doesn’t seem to be a known fact. New Zealand-born Australian presenter Richard Wilkins ignited outrage after he called the Grammy-winning teen “Australian” on the “Today Show.”
Wilkins, who has dual citizenship in Australia and New Zealand, made the gaffe while talking about Lorde topping Billboard’s 21 Under 21 list on the Nine Network’s breakfast show.
Read: Lorde Tops Billboard’s 21 Under 21 List; Aussies 5SOS, Cody Simpson and Troye Sivan Included
“Billboard Magazine just named their most influential people under 21 in the business. Number 1? The Australasian Lorde,”
Lorde, while specifically a Kiwi, is technically also an Australasian. However, Wilkins’ reference to New Zealand’s reigning teen queen didn’t sit well with her fellowmen as it implied Lorde is more Australian.
@RichardWilkins Pretty sneaky saying @lordemusic is Australasian. Can NZ never get credit for anything after all yr a Kiwi. Are u embarrased
— Brian P (@BeepeeNZ) September 30, 2014
@RichardWilkins Come ON Richard. Lorde Australasian?You KNOW she is a New Zealander.This is Trans Tasman rivalry gone silly.Get real. — Pippa D (@kaivitikiwi) September 30, 2014
@RichardWilkins @lordemusic is a Kiwi not Australasian, don't push it Dickie.
— Alex Croft (@AlexCroftNZ) September 30, 2014
@RichardWilkins Shame on you Aussie Richard (you do remember where YOU'RE from? Claiming our Lorde?? Takapuna is in Auckland not Sydney!!!!! — Lady Die (@Kimkrydasshian) September 30, 2014
Even New Zealand’s TVNZ jumped in on confusion. The “Breakfast” show called Wilkins via satellite from Sydney to explain what he said.
“Everyone knows she’s a Kiwi,” Wilkins said, adding that his remark was just a joke referencing Australia’s predilection to claiming all things Kiwi when it suits them.”
“When Russell [Crowe] wins an Oscar, he’s an Aussie, but when he’s in trouble, he’s a Kiwi,” he joked.
"@BreakfastonOne: @lordemusic an Australasian? We ask @RichardWilkins for please explain in 2 mins #kiwivsaussie" hands across the ditch!?
— Richard Wilkins (@RichardWilkins) September 30, 2014
Wilkins isn’t the first one to make the same mistake.
The Grammy Awards did worse when it briefly referred to Lorde as Australian.
“Australian singer/songwriter Lorde will perform,” a text in the press release for the Grammy Nominations Concert Live read. The error was quickly corrected, but didn’t escape the ire of the Kiwis on social media.
“We knew New Zealand was correct, but somehow we typed Australia. We’ve corrected it. Lorde have mercy on us,” the Grammys quipped in reply to a commenter.
Grammy Mistakenly Calls New Zealander Lorde As Australian
