FARGO — North Dakota State scored the game’s first 28 points and rolled to a 59-21 victory against Missouri State on Saturday in Missouri Valley Football Conference play before 14,679 fans at Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome.
The Bison honor 25 seniors prior to the game, including defensive tackle Eli Mostaert.
“It’s a surreal moment for me and the whole senior class,” Mostaert said.
The top-ranked Bison (10-1, 7-0 MVFC) have won 10 consecutive games and clinched at least a share of the conference championship with one game remaining in the regular season. NDSU plays next Saturday at the University of South Dakota.
The Bison can win the MVFC title outright with a win against the Coyotes.
Bison senior quarterback Cam Miller threw four touchdown passes in the first half to help NDSU build a 35-14 halftime lead. Miller completed 17 of 24 passes for 155 yards for the game.
Below are scenes from Saturday’s Bison home victory:
North Dakota State’s Eli and Will Mostaert tape up before play against Missouri State at the Fargodome on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Marty Brown carries against Missouri State’s Kanye Young at the Fargodome on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Darius Givance tangles with Missouri State’s Jacardia Wright at the Fargodome on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Marty Brown carries against Missouri State’s Tahj Chambers at the Fargodome on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Jaxon Duttenhefer snares Missouri State quarterback Jacob Clark at the Fargodome on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Logan Larson bears down on Missouri State’s quarterback Jacob Clark at the Fargodome on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Marcus Sheppard pounces on a Missouri State fumble at the Fargodome on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State dance team members get down at the Fargodome on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State quarterback Nathan Hayes launches a touchdown pass against Missouri State at the Fargodome on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Barika Kpeenu celebrates his second touchdown against Missouri State at the Fargodome on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Grey Zabel greets youth football players from Winnipeg, Manitoba, before play against Missouri State at the Fargodome on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State receivers and quarterbacks huddle up before kickoff against Missouri State at the Fargodome on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Barika Kpeenu breaks away for his second touchdown against Missouri State at the Fargodome on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State kicker Griffin Crosa (39) high fives his holder Kaedin Steindorf after a field goal against Missouri State at the Fargodome on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Chris Harris brings in a catch against Missouri State’s Avery Powell at the Fargodome on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
North Dakota State kicker Griffin Crosa lines up for his record setting kick against Missouri State at the Fargodome on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State’s John Gores hauls in a touchdown reception against Missouri State at the Fargodome on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State quarterback Nathan Hayes carries against Missouri State at the Fargodome on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State quarterback Cam Miller spins for yardage against Missouri State at the Fargodome on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Truman Werremeyer carries against Missouri State’s Khalil Anderson at the Fargodome on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Anthony Chideme-Alfaro and Jaylin Crumby defend a pass against Missouri State’s DVontae Key at the Fargodome on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State kicker Griffin Crosa is mobbed by his teammtes after breaking the Bison scoring record on a kick against Missouri State at the Fargodome on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Joe Stoffel celebrates a touchdown reception against Missouri State at the Fargodome on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Tyler Terhark grabs a pass reception against Missouri State at the Fargodome on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Joe Stoffel celebrates his second touchdown reception against Missouri State at the Fargodome on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Eli Mostaert (53) celebrates his quarterback sack against Missouri State at the Fargodome on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
David Samson/The Forum
Missouri State quarterback Jacob Clark loses the football after being hit by North Dakota State’s Toby Anene as teammate Luke Weerts (47) applies pressure at the Fargodome on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Barika Kpeenu heads upfield on a 52-yard touchdown run against Missouri State at the Fargodome on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
David Samson/The Forum
North Dakota State’s Enock Sibomana hits Missouri State’s Jayden Becks to force a fumble at the Fargodome on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
David Samson/The Forum
Peterson covers college athletics for The Forum, including Concordia College and Minnesota State Moorhead. He also covers the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks independent baseball team and helps out with North Dakota State football coverage. Peterson has been working at the newspaper since 1996.
FARGO — Three West Fargo and Fargo football teams earned spots in Dakota Bowl XXXII on Friday, Nov. 15, with state semifinals victories on Friday.
West Fargo Sheyenne’s Kaden Olson threw for 247 yards and touchdowns to Sullivan Ihry and Cash Gilseth as the Mustangs pulled away for a 35-16 win over Bismarck in the Division AAA semifinals.
Sheyenne’s Kye Schlicting and Tate Herrmann ran for TDs and Brennen Gable picked up a defensive score as East No. 1 seed Sheyenne advanced to the Dakota Bowl for the first time in three seasons.
The Mustangs will play East rival Fargo Davies, which went on the road and defeated defending state champion Minot 24-7 in the other Division AAA semifinal.
The Eagles’ Malachi Werremeyer ran for two touchdowns, Xavier Muse ran 31 yards for a score and Colby Nelson bombed a 42-yard field goal into the wind as time expired in the first half to give Davies a 17-7 lead at halftime.
Across town, West Fargo Horace took advantage of five Minot North turnovers for a 42-20 victory in a Division AA semifinal game.
Horace’s Ty Geray ran for two touchdowns, Taylor Stefonowicz ran for one TD, wide receiver Aiden Green threw a 50-yard scoring pass to Theo Seeley on a reverse, and Kaden Manske and Israel Bauer both returned fumbles for touchdowns.
Sheyenne and Davies play for the Division AAA state championship at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Fargodome while Horace takes on Grand Forks Red River for the Division AA title at 3 p.m. Friday at the dome.
Below are scenes from Friday’s state semifinals:
Fargo Davies’ Malachi Werremeyer (7) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown in the Division AAA football semifinals against Minot on Friday at Duane Carlson Stadium in Minot.
Sean Arbaut/Arbaut Photography LLC
West Fargo Sheyenne’s Kaden Olson throws a pass against Bismarck’s Jaden Sayler during the ND Division AAA state football semifinals on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at West Fargo Sheyenne High School.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
West Fargo back Ty Geray evades a Minot North tackler during a Division AA semifinal game on Friday at Sentinel Stadium in Minot.
Sean Arbaut/Arbaut Photography LLC
Fargo Davies defensive players gang up to tackle a Minot ball carrier during the Division AAA football semifinals on Friday at Duane Carlson Stadium in Minot.
Sean Arbaut/Arbaut Photography, LLC
West Fargo Sheyenne’s Cash Gilseth catches a pass in the end zone for a touchdown against Bismarck’s Weston Scott during the ND Division AAA state football semifinals on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at West Fargo Sheyenne High School.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
West Fargo Horace back Reid Foell makes a cut during the Hawks’ Division AA semifinal against Minot North on Friday at Sentinel Stadium in Minot.
Sean Arbaut/Arbaut Photography LLC
Fargo Davies defensive lineman Jason Hunter celebrates turnover during the Division AAA semifinals against Minot on Friday at Duane Carlson Stadium in Minot.
Sean Arbaut/Arbaut Photography LLC
West Fargo Sheyenne’s Caleb Haas moves with the ball against Bismarck’s Drew Taylor and Conner Harvison during the ND Division AAA state football semifinals on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at West Fargo Sheyenne High School.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
West Fargo Horace defensive back Israel Bauer scores on a 30-yard fumble return during the Hawks’ Division AA semifinal against Minot North on Friday at Sentinel Stadium in Minot.
Sean Arbaut/Arbaut Photography LLC
West Fargo defensive back Israel Bauer (12) celebrates his 30-yard fumble return for a touchdown during a Division AA semifinal game against Minot North on Friday at Sentinel Stadium in Minot.
Sean Arbaut/Arbaut Photography LLC
Fargo Davies back Malachi Werremeyer breaks free on a 33-yard touchdown run during the Eagles’ Division AAA semifinal game against Minot on Friday at Duane Carlson Stadium in Minot.
Sean Arbaut/Arbaut Photography LLC
Bismarck’s Logan Dockter is taken down by West Fargo Sheyenne’s Landon Zink and Braxton Lauckner during the ND Division AAA state football semifinals on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at West Fargo Sheyenne High School.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
West Fargo Horace’s defensive back Jaxon Narum intercepts a pass during the Hawks Division AA semifinal against Minot North on Friday at Sentinel Stadium in Minot.
Sean Arbaut/Arbaut Photography LLC
Fargo Davies defensive back Kolten Tesch (1) celebrates a fumble recovery during the Eagles’ Division AAA semifinal against Minot on Friday at Duane Carlson Stadium in Minot.
Sean Arbaut/Arbaut Photography LLC
West Fargo Sheyenne’s Sullivan Ihry catches a pass right outside of the end zone during their ND Division AAA state football semifinal game against Bismarck on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at West Fargo Sheyenne High School.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
West Fargo Horace back Dillon Otterson surges through a hole during the Hawks’ Division AA semifinal against Minot North on Friday at Sentinel Stadium in Minot.
Sean Arbaut/Arbaut Photography LLC
Fargo Davies quarterback Xavier Muse prepares to take a snap during a Division AAA semifinal game against Minot on Friday at Duane Carlson Stadium in Minot.
Sean Arbaut/Arbaut Photography LLC
West Fargo Sheyenne’s Cash Gilseth catches a pass during their ND Division AAA state football semifinal game against Bismarck on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at West Fargo Sheyenne High School.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
West Fargo Horace quarterback Taylor Stefonowicz looks to throw down field during the Division AA football semifinals against Minot North on Friday at Sentinel Stadium in Minot.
Sean Arbaut/Arbaut Photography LLC
Fargo Davies kicker Colby Nelson (44) hits a 42-yard field goal as Jackson Sturma (8) holds on the final play of the first half of a Division AAA semifinal against Minot on Friday at Duane Carlson Stadium in Minot.
Sean Arbaut/Arbaut Photography LLC
West Fargo Sheyenne players celebrate Cash Gilseth’s touchdown against Bismarck during the ND Division AAA state football semifinals on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at West Fargo Sheyenne High School.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
West Fargo Horace’s Ty Geray rushes for a touchdown during the Division AA football semifinals against Minot North on Friday Sentinel Stadium in Minot.
Sean Arbaut/Arbaut Photography LLC
Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of “staff.” Often, the “staff” byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story.
FARGO — Jack Primus caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from Frankie Meagher with 12 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to lift Upsala-Swanville to a 19-12 victory against Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa for the Minnesota Class 1A, Section 4 football championship at the Fargodome.
Upsala-Swanville won its first section title since 2014. Primus’ TD catch broke a 12-12 tie.
Parkers Prairie and West Central Area, Staples-Motley and Osakis, Barnesville and Hawley and Fergus Falls and Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton are also slated to play for section titles.
Below are scenes from Friday’s games at the Fargodome (check back for updates):
Upsala/Swanville celebrates their win against Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa during the Section 4A championship game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at the Fargodome.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
Upsala/Swanville celebrates Jack Primus’ touchdown against Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa during the Section 4A championship game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at the Fargodome.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
Upsala/Swanville celebrates their win against Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa during the Section 4A championship game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at the Fargodome.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa’s Brett DeRoo is taken down by Upsala/Swanville’s Frankie Meagher and Ethan Barthel during the Section 4A championship game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at the Fargodome.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
Upsala/Swanville’s Jack Primus catches the kick off against Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa’s Jack Lundberg during the Section 4A championship game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at the Fargodome.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa’s Jack Lundberg is brought down by Upsala/Swanville’s Carson Primus during the Section 4A championship game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at the Fargodome.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa’s Joshua Walstrom blocks a pass to Upsala/Swanville’s Jack Primus during the Section 4A championship game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at the Fargodome.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
Upsala/Swanville’s Ethan Barthel is tackled by Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa’s Lance Radermacher and Harley Weber during the Section 4A championship game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at the Fargodome.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa’s Brett DeRoo misses a pass against Upsala/Swanville’s Frankie Meagher during the Section 4A championship game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at the Fargodome.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa’s Luke Illies moves with the ball against Upsala/Swanville’s Brody Kircher during the Section 4A championship game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at the Fargodome.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa’s Kameron Hiltner runs the ball in for a touchdown against Upsala/Swanville’s Brody Kircher during the Section 4A championship game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at the Fargodome.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
Peterson covers college athletics for The Forum, including Concordia College and Minnesota State Moorhead. He also covers the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks independent baseball team and helps out with North Dakota State football coverage. Peterson has been working at the newspaper since 1996.
FARGO — Isaiah Wright scored three touchdowns to lead Fertile-Beltrami to a 52-15 victory against Fosston on Thursday in the Minnesota 9-person, Section 6 football championship at the Fargodome.
Fertile-Beltrami has won four consecutive section titles.
Border West earned a 22-20 victory against Hancock for the 9-person, Section 4 championship.
Stephen-Argyle scored a 42-14 vcitory against Warren-Alvarado-Oslo for the 9-person, Section 8 title. Blaine Smith scored four touchdowns for Stephen-Argyle.
Red Lake County and Mahnomen-Waubun played for the Class 1A, Section 8 crown.
Below are scenes from the Fargodome (check back for updates):
The Fertile-Beltrami 9-player football team celebrates winning the Section 6-9-player championship game against Fosston on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, at the Fargodome.
Chris Flynn / The Forum
Stephen-Argyle Central’s Blaine Smith is taken down by Warren-Alvarado-Oslo during the Section 8 9-player championship game on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, at the Fargodome.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
Fosston running back Ryne Duppong gains some yardage against Fertile-Beltrami in Section 6 nine-player championship game at the Fargodome on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024.
Chris Flynn / The Forum
Stephen-Argyle Central fans cheer for their team during the Section 8 9-player championship game against Warren-Alvarado-Oslo on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, at the Fargodome.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
Fertile-Beltrami’s Jonah Harstad breaks free for a touchdown run against Fosston on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, at the Fargodome.
Chris Flynn / The Forum
Stephen-Argyle Central’s Blaine Smith kicks off against Warren-Alvarado-Oslo during the Section 8 9-player championship game on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, at the Fargodome.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
Fosston quarterback Jakob Rudie looks for an open receiver against Fertile-Beltrami on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, at the Fargodome.
Chris Flynn / The Forum
Stephen-Argyle Central’s Shay Setterholm passes the ball off to Blaine Smith during their Section 8 9-player championship game against Warren-Alvarado-Oslo on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, at the Fargodome.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
Fosston quarterback Jakob Rudie scrambles for yardage against Fertile-Beltrami on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, at the Fargodome.
Chris Flynn / The Forum
Stephen-Argyle Central’s Raydon Woinarowicz looks back as he runs in a touchdown against Warren-Alvarado-Oslo during the Section 8 9-player championship game on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, at the Fargodome.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
Stephen-Argyle Central’s Blaine Smith moves around Warren-Alvarado-Oslo’s Kyden Kotrba and Chase Kalt for a touchdown during the Section 8 9-player championship game on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, at the Fargodome.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
Warren-Alvarado-Oslo’s Kaden Pierce celebrates a touchdown against Stephen-Argyle Central during the Section 8 9-player championship game on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, at the Fargodome.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
Warren-Alvarado-Oslo’s Kaden Pierce sneaks by Stephen-Argyle Central’s Anders Thompson to run in a touchdown during the Section 8 9-player championship game on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, at the Fargodome.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
Warren-Alvarado-Oslo fans cheer for their team during the Section 8 9-player championship game against Stephen-Argyle Central on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, at the Fargodome.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
Warren-Alvarado-Oslo’s Duqe Washington kicks a field goal with help from teammate Noah Sedlacek during their Section 8 9-player championship game against Stephen-Argyle Central on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, at the Fargodome.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
Warren-Alvarado-Oslo’s Kaden Pierce is taken down by Stephen-Argyle Central’s Kellen Johnson and Caden Pagnac during the Section 8 9-player championship game on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, at the Fargodome.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum
Peterson covers college athletics for The Forum, including Concordia College and Minnesota State Moorhead. He also covers the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks independent baseball team and helps out with North Dakota State football coverage. Peterson has been working at the newspaper since 1996.
A contestant from the The Voice Australia has shockingly claimed that working with the A-list coaches is far from the glitz and glamour that fans expect.
An aspiring singer from the 2024 series shared their disillusionment with the behind-the-scenes experience ahead of the talent competition’s semi-final
They claimed the coaching from the celebrity judges – LeAnn Rimes, Kate Miller Heidke, Adam Lambert and Guy Sebastian – is more of a façade than genuine mentorship.
‘They sell you this dream of being mentored by these huge names, but honestly, it felt so shallow,’ they confessed to Yahoo Lifestyle on Monday.
‘The coaches barely have time for you. It’s like they’re playing a role on TV and don’t really connect with you.’
The anonymous contestant went on to allege that their experience wasn’t unique but something that all the singers had to deal with.
‘I thought it was just because my coach was an international artist, but everyone I spoke to had the same experience. It was all quite contrived,’ they added.
It adds fuel to the ongoing speculation about how much real interaction the contestants actually get with their celebrity coaches.
A contestant from the The Voice Australia has shockingly claimed that working with the A-list coaches is far from the glitz and glamour that fans expect (pictured: LeAnn Rimes)
They claimed the coaching from the celebrity judges – LeAnn Rimes, Kate Miller Heidke (pictured), Adam Lambert and Guy Sebastian – is more of a façade than genuine mentorship
While viewers at home see heartwarming moments of connection between contestants and their mentors, there have been claims the reality is less personal.
The Voice 2023 winner Tarryn Stokes told Daily Mail Australia that she hadn’t heard anything from her on-screen mentor Rita Ora for months.
Stokes, who was crowned winner of the reality show last October, said the pair exchanged several emails in June, but alleged they have not been in contact since.
‘Not a lot [of contact with Rita], but she gave me her e-mail, so we were emailing back and forth,’ the mother-of-two, 41, said.
However, it appears this digital correspondence was short-lived as Tarryn claims she hasn’t heard from her since.
The allegations came as a blow to the show’s reputation, which prides itself on fostering a sense of personal growth and development for its contestants.
The Voice coaches are yet to respond to the claims.
Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Channel Seven for comment.
It comes after The Voice completely overhauled its judges this year, with Guy being the only one to return alongside three newcomers.
The Voice 2023 winner Tarryn Stokes told Daily Mail Australia that she hasn’t heard anything from her on-screen mentor Rita Ora for months
Outgoing coaches Rita Ora, Jessica Mauboy and Jason Derulo did not reprise their roles on the popular show.
According to a production insider, the reason for the switch-up was the star’s pay cheques, and a desire from producers to keep costs down.
The insider added that salary increases are necessary to keep returning stars on the show and the price tag for the former crop was ‘too expensive’.
‘The company line was that Jessica, Rita and Jason were all too busy, but I don’t think anyone is too busy to pick up these sorts of pay cheques.
‘It certainly did have a lot to do with keeping the costs down.’
Share or comment on this article:
Disgruntled The Voice Australia contestant reveals what the coaches are really like behind the scenes: ‘They barely have any time for you’
A contestant from the The Voice Australia has shockingly claimed that working with the A-list coaches is far from the glitz and glamour that fans expect.
An aspiring singer from the 2024 series shared their disillusionment with the behind-the-scenes experience ahead of the talent competition’s semi-final
They claimed the coaching from the celebrity judges – LeAnn Rimes, Kate Miller Heidke, Adam Lambert and Guy Sebastian – is more of a façade than genuine mentorship.
‘They sell you this dream of being mentored by these huge names, but honestly, it felt so shallow,’ they confessed to Yahoo Lifestyle on Monday.
‘The coaches barely have time for you. It’s like they’re playing a role on TV and don’t really connect with you.’
The anonymous contestant went on to allege that their experience wasn’t unique but something that all the singers had to deal with.
‘I thought it was just because my coach was an international artist, but everyone I spoke to had the same experience. It was all quite contrived,’ they added.
It adds fuel to the ongoing speculation about how much real interaction the contestants actually get with their celebrity coaches.
A contestant from the The Voice Australia has shockingly claimed that working with the A-list coaches is far from the glitz and glamour that fans expect (pictured: LeAnn Rimes)
They claimed the coaching from the celebrity judges – LeAnn Rimes, Kate Miller Heidke (pictured), Adam Lambert and Guy Sebastian – is more of a façade than genuine mentorship
While viewers at home see heartwarming moments of connection between contestants and their mentors, there have been claims the reality is less personal.
The Voice 2023 winner Tarryn Stokes told Daily Mail Australia that she hadn’t heard anything from her on-screen mentor Rita Ora for months.
Stokes, who was crowned winner of the reality show last October, said the pair exchanged several emails in June, but alleged they have not been in contact since.
‘Not a lot [of contact with Rita], but she gave me her e-mail, so we were emailing back and forth,’ the mother-of-two, 41, said.
However, it appears this digital correspondence was short-lived as Tarryn claims she hasn’t heard from her since.
The allegations came as a blow to the show’s reputation, which prides itself on fostering a sense of personal growth and development for its contestants.
The Voice coaches are yet to respond to the claims.
Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Channel Seven for comment.
It comes after The Voice completely overhauled its judges this year, with Guy being the only one to return alongside three newcomers.
The Voice 2023 winner Tarryn Stokes told Daily Mail Australia that she hasn’t heard anything from her on-screen mentor Rita Ora for months
Outgoing coaches Rita Ora, Jessica Mauboy and Jason Derulo did not reprise their roles on the popular show.
According to a production insider, the reason for the switch-up was the star’s pay cheques, and a desire from producers to keep costs down.
The insider added that salary increases are necessary to keep returning stars on the show and the price tag for the former crop was ‘too expensive’.
‘The company line was that Jessica, Rita and Jason were all too busy, but I don’t think anyone is too busy to pick up these sorts of pay cheques.
‘It certainly did have a lot to do with keeping the costs down.’
Share or comment on this article:
Disgruntled The Voice Australia contestant reveals what the coaches are really like behind the scenes: ‘They barely have any time for you’
In the trailer for Ridley Scott’s hotly anticipated sequel to Gladiator (2000), a new gladiator (played by Paul Mescal) goes to battle in “the greatest temple Rome ever built – the Colosseum”.
He comes up against naval warfare, a cutthroat promoter (Denzel Washington) and a stampeding rhino. But how much of this really took place in Roman times? As always with films based in the past, pedantic historians will jump in to assess the degree of cinematic licence and historical misinterpretation. So it is with the forthcoming Gladiator II.
The trailer for Gladiator II.
Did gladiators fight rhinos?
One thing that certainly did not happen was a warrior mounted on a rhinoceros (even a non-computer-generated one) charging at a group of gladiators. However, there is a record of a rhino at the inauguration of the Colosseum in 80BC. It didn’t fight men, but a bull, bear, buffalo, bison, lion and two steers. The other rare mentions of rhinos in Rome are of those in menageries, to be admired as exotic creatures.
This Roman interest in foreign, wild animals was the basis of the initial beast spectacles which began in 275BC with an exhibition of captured war elephants. Such non-violent displays of animals continued into the imperial era, but in 186BC the first staged animal hunt (venatio), featuring both lions and leopards, took place and by 169BC beast hunts had become an official part of republican state festivals.
Later, under the emperors, collecting and transporting beasts, especially unusual and foreign ones, to be displayed – but more often killed – demonstrated imperial power, territorial control and the vastness of the empire. Thousands of animals were brought from Africa and elsewhere to Roman arenas to be slaughtered for entertainment and the meat from the dead animals was given away to the spectators (it was easier than trying to dispose of the many carcasses).
Those who fought the beasts were not gladiators but specially trained hunters (venatores) armed with spears. The venatio could also feature fights between animals, as with the Colosseum rhinoceros, but most often the contest consisted of bulls against an elephant or bear. Animal hunts outlasted gladiatorial combats as a source of spectator entertainment, but as both the size of the empire and imperial funds diminished, greater reliance was placed on domestically reared “wild” animals.
Were there sea battles in the Colosseum?
More credence in historical terms can be given to the film’s staged sea battle (naumachia) in the flooded Colosseum. Such spectacles were expensive to stage and were reserved for special occasions.
The first one recorded was for Emperor Augustus in 2BC. Held on an artificial lake, it featured 30 large ships carrying some 3,000 marines plus an unspecified number of rowers. Participants in a naumachia, typically either convicted criminals or prisoners of war, were expected to kill each other or drown, though, the demonstration of fighting ability and courage could gain them a pardon.
The Naumachia by Ulpiano Checa (1894) imagines naval warfare in the Coliseum. Museo Ulpiano Checa
The grandest sea battle was provided by Emperor Claudius on Lake Fucinus, a spectacle involving 100 ships and some 19,000 marines and oarsmen. It was at this event that the fighting men reportedly said “hail, emperor, we who are about to die salute you”, mistakenly assigned to gladiators in so many films, including the first Gladiator.
Literary sources (not always to be trusted in antiquity as they were often written well after alleged events) claim that the Colosseum was flooded for a sea battle at its inauguration. After some debate, historians now accept that the engineering mechanisms were in place so that, at least in its early days, the Colosseum could have accommodated a naumachia.
Did a thumbs down really mean death for a gladiator?
Gladiator II also showcases the misconstrued sporting legacy of the thumbs up signal to spare a defeated gladiator who requested mercy or the converse of a thumbs down from those who wished him to die.
The arena was a large, noisy place and hand signals were often used as a means of communication. Indeed, rather than verbally requesting mercy, the defeated warrior himself would raise the index finger of his right hand, or even the hand itself, both of which were recognised pleas for clemency.
When the crowd opted for the death of a fighter they indicated this by means of pollice verso, literally a turned thumb, with no direction specified. When the hand was waved the sign indicated that the gladiator’s throat should be cut by his conqueror. Those who wished to save the vanquished, but courageous, fighter gave the sign pollice compresso, a compressed thumb but one often hidden from sight so as not to cause visual confusion.
Gladiators were valuable assets. Promoters, who had paid a hiring fee (typically 10-20% of their value) for them to fight, were reluctant to incur the full asset value demanded as compensation should they die. Especially when, at the crowd’s insistence, they could have a choice in the matter.
In many instances the event had been promoted to curry favour with the spectators so to go against their wishes would be counterproductive. However, whether the ultimate decision-maker gave a thumbs up or thumbs down is debatable. The idea that this occurred seems to have developed around 1872 with the popularity of a painting by French artist, Jean-Léon Gérôme. In it he depicts vestal virgins giving the dreaded sign. Although titled Pollice Verso, it became conventionally referred to as “the thumbs down painting”.
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