Kyle Sandilands is slammed for making comments about an aboriginal singer

Radio star Kyle Sandilands has taken a back seat to criticism after making comments to Australian Idol finalist Royston Sagigi-Baira after appearing on the programme.

Sandilands, who is a judge alongside Harry Connick Jr., Meaghan Trainor and Amy Shark, told the 24-year-old Indigenous Australian that he “knows his journey” because he has Aboriginal relatives.

“A lot of people don’t know that about me but my step brother and sister are Indigenous and my sister also has three or four Aboriginal foster children and I know your journey and it’s not always an easy journey but you have shone like a bright light son every time on that stage,’ Kyle said.

But many Indigenous viewers said Kyle’s comments referring to the singer made them uncomfortable.

‘Just no! As a fair-skinned Wiradjuri woman, I have no idea the struggles my brown-skinned sister faces every day,” one claimed.

“It doesn’t matter the color of your skin, how can you possibly know this person’s journey if they are a stranger to you? What are demeaning statements,” said another.

“Trust a narcissistic person that when a person of color has their moment in the spotlight, they will bring it back to themselves,” said another.

“A real fight in your Bentley I’m sure,” added a fourth.

A sixth said: “I feel so uncomfortable when people start this. What do you want for a medal?’

Another claimed, “He may know of our people’s journey, but not of the actual journey or the difficulties of actual experience.”

Kyle’s comments caused a stir on social media, with many saying they were “awkward.”

Sandilands said Royston’s performance was “terrific”, then said he understands his journey because his step-siblings and “three or four” of his sister’s foster children are Aboriginal

“I love you Kyle but please just stop,” wrote another. “I have black and Asian friends and I still don’t know their journey.”

Known for his outspokenness on radio, Sandilands has a colorful history as a judge on the show — once famously saying that Australian Indigenous Idol star Jessica Mauboy should “lose her rubber belly.”

He was fired from the show in 2009 because producers felt his offbeat radio show Kyle and Jackie O on KIISFM was inconsistent with the show’s family theme, but was reinstated for the reboot due to his popularity.

Sandilands called Royston’s recent performance, which earned him a place in the bottom three, “amazing”.

“You are one in a million. People love you,’ he said.

Royston will compete in the Australian Idol grand finale with Phoebe Stewart and Josh Hannan.

Phoebe Stewart, Josh Hannan and Royston will compete in the Australian Idol grand finale