Robbie Williams divides ABC viewers with New Year's Eve performance

In Australia, Robbie Williams performed at ABC's New Year's Eve broadcast in Sydney, delivering a set filled with his greatest hits. During the concert, he seized the opportunity to promote his upcoming biopic, Better Man, which was filmed in Australia. This included a humorous plug mid-performance where he exaggeratedly claimed, "some critics are calling it the movie of the century! Not my words, except they are because I just made that up." The performance provoked a mixed response from viewers, with many taking to social media to express their discontent at ABC's decision to allow the promotion of a movie during a government-funded event. Comments ranged from criticism about wasting taxpayer dollars to defending Williams’s showmanship as entertaining. While some celebrated his energetic performance, others were frustrated that the platform was used for self-promotion. Williams's biopic has generated considerable attention, receiving multiple nominations at the upcoming AACTA Awards, indicating its high profile in the entertainment landscape. Despite the backlash, the singer stated that this show was a 'perfect' way to end the year and celebrate the release of his film. His remarks regarding the New Year's Eve celebration highlighted his fondness for Australia, particularly after filming his movie, which he felt had resulted in a unique project. Overall, this incident spotlights the ongoing debate over public funding for cultural events and the expectations surrounding them, especially when intertwined with commercial promotions.