Tshidi becomes a fallen Idol

Eliminated Idols contender Tshidi Tenyane was still bemused yesterday at how fans had suddenly turned on her for a comment "taken out of context".

The 28-year-old from Tembisa, east of Johannesburg - who had looked set to make it to the finale - was voted out after being lambasted on Twitter following Sunday's episode, which featured a "homecoming" segment in which the remaining contestants visited their former schools and neighbourhoods.

At Tenyane's, pupils stormed her car, making it difficult for her to get out. She was heard telling them: "Okay, guys. I'm going to come out of the car, but don't jump on me, okay? I will literally fall."

The knives came out for her after that comment.

One Twitter user said yesterday: "I'm glad dat Tshidi is gone! She was too much of a prima donna! She deserved de boot! Now she can learn 2 respect her fans!#IdolsSA [sic]."

Tenyane said yesterday: "Standing there in front of 2 000 pupils who took 20 minutes to calm down got me very scared. It's a pity it was taken out of context.

"But the most hurtful thing is that people were calling me a b***h and said I was disgusting. The very same people were older than me and they were supposed to be parents."

Season 7 top 6 finisher Kelly Fortuin wasn't surprised at the turn of events. She tweeted after the result: "So again my prediction was correct!! Due to an insert being edited the way they wanted ppl to view her!! This happens every year!!".

Tenyane joked that if she were to release a debut album, it would be titled Diva, with a lead single called Don't Jump on Me.

Celebrities including Highveld Stereo's Pabi Moloi, Dineo Ranaka, Kabomo and Bonang Matheba have previously spoken about their support for Tenyane.

The top 3 Idols are Khaya Mthethwa, Monde Msutwana and Melissa Alisson. The winner will be announced on October 2.