Idols contestant Musa Mashiane. Picture: supplied
The Idols SA presenter did not even announce a bottom three – as he usually does – but simply said that Mashiane’s journey in the popular talent show was over.
For the first time this season the show’s judges Randall Abrahams, Gareth Cliff and Unathi Msengana were surprised by the public vote results: “Tonight’s elimination shows just how unpredictable this show is,” said Abrahams.
“At this stage, the contestants can’t afford to slip up because they could easily go home.”
Mashiane delivered one of his worst performances last week’s themed “Showstopper” edition – contestants had to incorporate dancing, pyrotechnics and special effects into their performances.
Mashiane chose Jamiroquai’s Love Foolosophy and failed to impress the audience and judges.
“Everything was bigger than you today and as the lead vocalist you have to be the leader of the bigness,” said Msengana of Mashiane’s performance.
“It wasn’t your tidiest performance but it was fun,” said Cliff. None of the judges thought Mashiane would leave the competition at such an early stage.
“God is superior to Idols,” Mashiane said before walking off the stage with the audience chanting his name. Having been a musician for most of his life, Mashiane has always felt misunderstood in the mainstream music industry.
“I’m not the kind of musician who likes to pull stunts on stage,” he said. “I’m not comfortable with dancing or taking my shirt off to please audiences. One day I hope to be able to fill an auditorium with fans who just want to listen to my voice.”
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