Music stars have a favourite among the seven contestants who remain in the Idols competition - Sindi Nene.

The 22-year-old music student from Durban, who has received rave reviews from all the judges of the talent contest, has the vote of singers.

Last night Jamie-Lee Sexton was axed from the show.

Idols 2004 contestant Bianca le Grange, who has since released two albums and runs her own company, said she was rooting for Nene.

"There is something about Sindi that reminds me of myself: it must be the blonde hair," she said.

"More than anything this girl has that stage presence, the personality - and that voice is big enough to represent South African music. She is a true gem."

On Sunday, Nene's rendition of Mango Groove's Moments Awayearned her high praise from the show's Mr Nasty, Randall Abrahams, who said she had a "special spark", a pun on the name of another of the band's hits.

Mara Louw was brought to tears by the performance. "Sindi, that wasn't your voice at all, that was a voice of an angel coming from heaven," she said.

Other singers agree. Flash Republic singer Tamara Dey said she was looking for the "whole package" - style, performance ability, the X-factor and talent - from the next Idols winner.

"To me, Sindi and Boki [Ntsime] possess the whole package that is needed to become an Idol. They have such amazing voices and they bring out their talent every time they perform," she said.

Malaika lead vocalist Tshedi Mholo said that, though she was not a regular viewer of the talent contest, she was sold on the "girl taking the South African music scene by storm", Nene.

"We need more female vocalists like her in the industry. Someone energetic, who has the vavavoom, and who can hold the show like she does."

But many are questioning whether a black contestant can win.

On Sunday, Louw vented: "Black people! You must vote to keep your stars in the competition!

Rapper Jabulani "HHP" Tsambo - who judged the show's Port Elizabeth auditions - said he had not watched the show for fear of being biased when he judges the contestants in the top-three round.