Sienna Spiro Pulls Out of ARIA Awards Over Vocal Strain
Sienna Spiro, the 21-year-old British singer, has withdrawn from her ARIA Awards performance in Sydney next Wednesday, saying her US tour has strained her voice. Melbourne pop band Blusher will take her slot at the ceremony marking 40 years of the awards.
Sienna Spiro, a rising global pop star from London, has pulled out of her scheduled performance at the ARIA Awards in Sydney next Wednesday, citing vocal complications after her recent US tour.
The 21-year-old pop-soul singer was due to play at the ceremony, which marks the awards' 40th anniversary. Her slot was announced only at the weekend.
What Spiro told fans
Spiro said she was "incredibly sorry" and that the tour "has taken its toll on me and my voice."
"As much as I wanted to be there, I have to listen to my body and give it the rest it needs to be able to give you the best shows possible when I return in January," she said.
ARIA issued a short statement saying Spiro "is unfortunately unable to attend or perform at the ARIA Awards as planned."
Who replaces her
Melbourne pop band Blusher will take her place. Genesis Owusu, DMA'S, Ecca Vandal and Spiderbait are also set to perform. A joint performance by 3%, Scribe and Fred Leone will honor four decades of Australian music.
Genesis Owusu and Tame Impala lead the nominations with eight each. The Album of the Year nominees are Blusher, G Flip, Kylie Minogue, Tame Impala and Troye Sivan.
Spiro's breakout year
Spiro rose to fame in 2021 by posting viral singing videos on TikTok. She is known for a soulful, jazz-influenced mezzo-soprano voice and a vintage 1960s look, and fans have compared her to Adele and Raye.
Her single Die on This Hill became a global streaming hit. Her debut studio album, Visitor, followed in July and included her first UK number-one single, Great Expectation.
She won Best New Artist at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards and began her global My House Tour in October.
Australian dates and broadcast
Spiro will still visit Australia in January. She plays the Fremantle Arts Centre in Perth on January 16, then heads to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
The ARIA Awards will be hosted by Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald and streamed live on Paramount+ from 2pm AWST.
"I hope it's a wonderful evening and I can't wait to see you all again," Spiro said in her statement.
