Former Australian Idol host calls out ‘glorification’ of booze during Ash Barty interview

A television host who called out the “glorification and glamorisation” of alcohol in Australia after Ash Barty had a sip of beer on live TV after winning the Australian Open says he wasn’t having a dig at the tennis champion.

He said he was pointing out Australia’s “bizarre” relationship with booze.

Our glorification and glamorisation of alcohol in this country is normalised to the point where we can’t even celebrate success without booze on live TV. It’s bizarre.
Imagine if this was in Canada and the broadcaster hoisted a joint onto their new champion? https://t.co/QVyYet4bFY

— James Mathison (@jamesmathison) January 29, 2022

Former Australian Idol host James Mathison told Neil Mitchell the fact nobody “questioned it” when Barty was handed a beer while doing an interview only highlighted his point.

“Alcohol is the only drug where you’re sort of marginalised for not partaking, and not participating in consuming it,” he said.

Press PLAY below to hear James Mathison make his case

Picture: Nine