Natalia after accusations of ‘diva behavior’ in controversial program: “My kids were there and I felt unsafe”
The fuss surrounding the VTM program ‘Astrid & Natalia: back to reality’ was exaggerated, according to Natalia. “It felt like a personal attack,” she said on Radio 2 on Wednesday morning.
Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at 10:05 AM
Astrid and Natalia: back to reality was canceled after just one episode: the program – in which Natalia and Astrid Coppens tried to survive for a month as a single mother on a minimum wage – was described as “poverty porn”. However, according to Natalia, the criticism was greatly exaggerated. “I have read rude things in the press. Things that aren’t right. The story of that angry cleaning man? I’ve never seen that person.”
After the fuss about the content of the program, it turned out that there was resentment between Natalia and the production team. Natalia was accused of “diva behavior”, after which VTM announced that “such a way of working is not okay”. Discussions followed between all parties, in which, according to Natalia, “everything was cleared up”.
READ ALSO. Natalia responds to the fuss during a concert in Hasselt, fans continue to support her: “She wears her heart on her sleeve”
“Media has stoked”
The singer therefore warns that the press, as the fourth estate, bears an “enormous responsibility”. “We live in a society in which people blindly believe what the press writes,” he said. “The press has to check sources, and that did not happen here.”
READ ALSO. Neighbors react after the fuss surrounding ‘Back to reality’: “I was deeply shocked by Natalia. Really annoyed me when they were here”
In fact, Natalia felt that some media were “stirring” between her and VTM. “VTM has not said that they no longer want to work together. And I never said that I would like to quit The Voice after 13 years,” says Natalia. She certainly found the words “transgressive behavior” unacceptable. “When I read that word, I thought, ‘Wow,’ that’s a dangerous term to use.”
“I felt unsafe”
Natalia also said that during the recordings she even considered quitting the program. “I felt unsafe during the recordings. Confidence was a bit gone for me. You should know: my kids were there during the recording, and then the mother hen comes up.” Natalia did not want to say exactly why she felt unsafe. “We have to sign a contract that includes an obligation of confidentiality. And I also know how hard the production crew worked, I don’t want to offend them.” (read more below the photo)
READ ALSO. How big is the damage to VTM and Natalia’s image after ‘Back to reality’? “She will have to dim a bit in the near future”
Now the singer only wants to look ahead and focus on her family. “My most important job is my two children. When I see them and I hear them say ‘You are the sweetest mom’… That is the most important thing.” And to her music, because: “Music heals and will do its work. In music everyone is equal.”
