Australian Idol Tarisai Vushe embroiled in controversy

Zimbabwean born Australian Idol contestant Tarisai Vushe is embroiled in controversy after allegations that her church Sidney’s Hillsong attempted to hijack the show through their Christian contestants Ben Mckenzie, Tarisai Vushe and Daniel Mifsud, who are all members of the church. Idol producers have slammed the allegations initially made by Channel 7 in Australia.

Stories in the Australian media accused the evangelical church of stacking the votes on the show in favour of contestants from their church. Its alleged one of the producers of Australian Idol was so freaked out by the conspiracy he secretly called Channel 7 to blow open the scandal. Claims being made are that pastors are openly urging members of the congregation to vote in favour of Hillsong singers.

TT's executive producer Craig McPherson wrote to the to The Sunday Age, ‘Whether the struggling show was after publicity or not, we then made a series of checks and found (Hillsong and affiliates) were very much involved in the whole of Idol."

‘The idea that happy-clappers have been stacking the Idol vote in favour of Jesus-loving contestants has been around since Guy Sebastian won the first series. That Sebastian, a church-goer, was the most talented singer in that series is beside the point, ‘ the Age.com wrote in an article.

Producers say it’s not true to say 5 of the initial 9 finalists were members of the Hillsong Church. They same some of them are just Christians and not necessarily from Hillsong. Adding to the intrigue is that adverts sponsored by Hillsong are aired during Australian Idol.

Australian Idol is battling poor ratings that have been caused by infighting between contestants and several other negative stories. Eight singers remain including Ben Mckenzie, Natalie Gauci, Tarisai Vushe, Daniel Mifsud, Jacob Butler and Matt Corby.

source: http://www.nehandaradio.com/vushe091007.html