An Interlude #2: The Voice, still about image, was it so surprising?

The Voice made it to Australian television screens recently, and I must admit, it has captured the attention of our family.  I have only managed to see a few episodes of the blind auditions and have, like the other members of my family, enjoyed hearing quality singers vie for a spot in top 48.  But despite its appearances and promotional hype I find it hard to see how it really differs from the other talent discovery shows - in the end it's all about making $$ and like it or not image plays such an important role in the musical landscape these days.  Whilst I can't be certain, I have a hunch that, had Susan Boyle arrived on stage looking more like an Elle McPherson and speaking with the articulation of a Stephen Fry, she may just not have quite had the success that she has. 

Could it be that TV has shaped our expectation that her singing would match her image?  Were we really duped into thinking that something that was being broadcast over the television medium could not be about image?  Have we so easily forgotten that it was that very medium, in particular the rise in popularity of the music video, that has so intrinsically linked image and music?

Which makes me wonder why the fact that: Keith Urban [one of the Australian judges] has admitted contestants on The Voice will now be judged on their looks as well as their performances could possibly be news, let alone the lead picture story on the popular ninemsn news site.  (Of course it will not still be the lead picture story any longer...in fact it has already become last hours news).

I can't quite place my finger on why, but for some reason, this story looks suspiciously like an advert.  Perhaps it's the direct affiliation of the broadcasting owner of The Voice and this news website.  Surely not though...