{
  "id": 9215313,
  "title": "Tones And I reveals why she turned down NRL grand final",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/tones-and-i-reveals-why-she-turned-down-nrl-grand-final",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-22T22:54:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News",
    "slug": "abc-news",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-23/nrl-grand-final-tones-and-i-pre-match-entertainment/107184040"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Tones And I will not be part of the NRL grand final's pre-match entertainment. Her management revealed she has a prior commitment with Macklemore in America. ARLC chair Peter Vandys expressed his best wishes for Tones And I. The NRL opted to forego the tradition of pre-match entertainment at the grand final. The commission's chair, Peter Vandys, stated that the money earmarked for pre-match entertainment would instead go towards supporting underprivileged children playing rugby league. However, Tones And I's management clarified that no deal had been signed or confirmed in writing. The reason for the breakdown of negotiations was not disclosed. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the issue was centered around the NRL's insistence that Tones And I perform \"Dance Monkey,\" a song she had previously stated she loathed. Vandys expressed his disappointment in the decision, noting that the cost of bringing an artist to the grand final was around a million dollars. He preferred to support 20,000 underprivileged children who couldn't afford to play rugby league. The grand final has traditionally featured pre-match entertainment, including performances by international pop stars like Teddy Swims, Billy Idol, and Tina Turner.",
  "summary": "Tones And I has broken her silence after the NRL declared it will forego a grand final tradition of pre-match entertainment.",
  "key_points": [
    "Tones And I declines NRL grand final due to prior commitment with Macklemore.",
    "ARLC chair Peter Vandys wishes Tones And I well, supports underprivileged children.",
    "No signed deal, disagreement over performance of \"Dance Monkey\"."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News AU",
        "title": "Tones And I reveals why she turned down NRL grand final",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/tones-and-i-reveals-why-she-turned-down-nrl-grand-final-9216887",
        "published": "2026-09-22T22:54:11.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "Tones and I offered NRL grand final show only three weeks ago",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/tones-and-i-offered-nrl-grand-final-show-only-three-weeks-ago",
        "published": "2026-09-22T23:10:31.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "Tones and I offered NRL grand final show only three weeks ago",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/tones-and-i-offered-nrl-grand-final-show-only-three-weeks-ago-9222423",
        "published": "2026-09-22T23:10:31.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}