Russian actor and TV host Stanislav Sadalsky has publicly questioned the integrity of the reality show Voice, alleging a biased selection process during the blind auditions. In a video posted to his site, Sadalsky claims that the program, which carried the subtitle No More Children, did not conduct its activities with honesty. He asserts that the moment captured in his video shows a heated exchange involving the music editor Natalia Shameladze and producer Aziza Irgasheva, who allegedly argued with Yuri Aksyuta, the show’s mentor coordinator, as to how the mentors should primarily react to a participant, during the filming of the Voice blind auditions that aired in the second half of August 2023 and was broadcast on Channel One on September 1.
According to Sadalsky, at the start of one performance Aksyuta was allegedly instructed to turn as many mentors toward Yaroslav Sokolikov as possible, a directive he attributed to Konstantin Ernst as a personal request. The actor further claims that Shameladze pressed Aksyuta to consider another contestant, Fedor Sorokin, potentially influencing the selection process.
Sadalsky framed the episode as part of a recurring pattern, noting that the TV project has repeatedly found itself in headlines for controversies. The recordings, he says, once again demonstrate a belief that the program is entrenched in corruption, with organizers described as unconcerned with fairness, focusing instead on sensationalism and monetary gain.
Earlier, Sadalsky had offered support for actress Leah Akhedzhakova in response to public criticism and perceived lack of backing from fellow performers. In a separate matter, he had previously discussed a personal experience involving Natalya Rudova. The public discourse around Voice continues to provoke debate over transparency and credibility in televised talent competitions, with viewers weighing the authenticity of the audition process against the entertainment value presented by the show’s creators and sponsors.