An awkward discussion between TV presenters Yumi Stynes and Kerri-Anne Kennerley has ignited protests, as many are slamming Kennerley’s racist comments surrounding Australia Day.
During yesterday’s episode of Studio 10, Stynes claimed Kennerley was “sounding very racist” after Kennerley suggested protesters marching against the date of Australia Day should visit the Northern Territory and help the women and children being raped.
"You're sounding quite racist right now." @yumichild says to Kerri-Anne as they clash over Australia Day & #ChangeTheDate. #Studio10 pic.twitter.com/qI2qBsiT9t
— Studio 10 (@Studio10au) January 27, 2019
In response to Kennerley’s comments, a bunch of protesters surrounded 10’s Pyrmont offices this morning, with one indigenous woman chanted: “(Kennerley) is in no position to make comments like that about our people.
Adding: “It’s culturally inappropriate.”
Following the heated discussion yesterday, Stynes cancelled her visit to Network 10 this morning, where she was scheduled to talk about her new cookbook.
In a statement, Stynes said: “I was booked to come in to showcase a recipe from one of my cookbooks … INSTEAD, I decided to give myself the day off.
“This is not because of what happened today between Kerri-Anne and I. I am feeling stable and calm and like I’m on the right side of history. Everything is OK.
“I’m not coming in because I really urgently want to lie around and do nothing. It’s very important,” she wrote.
“I told the new producer Tamara that I won’t be coming in tomorrow.
“I also gave her the number of my good friend James Mathison who kindly offered to fill in for me as he is available and has done the show a bunch of times and therefore I would not be leaving the hardworking team in the lurch.
“I have no idea if she will take me up on the suggestion and it’s not my problem.”
In response, Kennerley said: “Yumi, I respect you want to lie around and do nothing, but not turning up for work when you’ve been booked is seriously unprofessional.
“I have, in my 40 or 50 years of television, twice in all those years not turned up because I was flat-out sick.
“I just don’t get people who don’t turn up.”
As well as this, Stynes also went on Kyle & Jackie O to talk about the on-air conflict, during which she called Kennerley a media “cockroach”.
We put KAK and @yumichild on the line together to discuss their blowup pic.twitter.com/kbVYfGFyAK
— Kyle and Jackie O (@kyleandjackieo) January 28, 2019
TV presenter and longtime friend Osher Gunsberg has also thrown his support behind Stynes following the row.
