The loophole that could have allowed Lindsay Lohan into Australia to film The Masked Singer – as she is replaced on the panel by Urzila Carlson
Lindsay Lohan was forced to step down from the panel of The Masked Singer last month due to COVID-19 border closures.
And while Channel 10 has already announced her replacement, it’s possible she could have been allowed into country due to a ‘loophole’ in the travel ban.
The Australian Border Force is allowing non-citizens into Australia if they deliver ‘services in sectors critical to Australia’s economic recovery’ – which includes film and TV production.
Missed opportunity? A border force ‘loophole’ could have allowed American actress Lindsay Lohan (pictured) into the country and keep her role on The Masked Singer Australia
Production company Warner Bros. would have had to prove, however, that no Australian citizen could have done the job as well as Lindsay in order for her special grant to be considered.
If she had been granted entry into Australia, the American actress, 34, would have been forced to self-isolate for 14 days in Melbourne upon her arrival.
However, it seems Warner Bros. didn’t consider this option because of the wealth of local talent on offer, and eventually settled for Kiwi comedian Urzila Carlson.
Loophole: The Australian Border Force is allowing non-citizens into Australia if they deliver ‘services in sectors critical to the economic recovery’ – which includes film and TV production. Pictured from left: Jackie ‘O’ Henderson, Lindsay Lohan, Dave Hughes and Dannii Minogue
Channel 10 announced Urzila as the new judge last month.
The 44-year-old completed her mandatory two-week isolation in Sydney on June 30, before she flew to Melbourne to begin filming.
On Tuesday, the network released its latest trailer for the zany show, in which judge Dave Hughes jokes about the benefits of the pandemic.
Caveat: Warner Bros. would have had to prove, however, that no Australian citizen could have done the job as well as Lindsay in order for her special grant to be considered
Replaced! However, the production company instead opted to choose from the wealth of local talent on offer, and eventually settled for Kiwi comedian Urzila Carlson (pictured)
‘Everyone is stuck here in this country so it’s more likely to be big stars this year,’ the 49-year-old funnyman says.
The line-up of costumed performers is rumoured to include Dami Im, Tommy Little, Madeleine West and Shane Warne.
The Masked Singer premieres August 10 at 7:30pm on Channel 10
Coming soon: The Masked Singer premieres August 10 at 7:30pm on Channel 10