The plot thickens — more allegations surface regarding the affiliation of key Australian Idol contestants to the Assemblies Of God church groups.
Channel Seven's current affairs program
Today Tonight has been investigating claims that the Hillsong church has affected voting results on
Australian Idol by encouraging its members to vote for certain contestants, thereby keeping them in the competition.
On Monday's episode
Australian Idol confronted the issue, with host Andrew G asking, on-air, "There's been a lot of talk this week about our top eight and what they chose to believe. Using the latest investigative journalist research methods available to me, guys, can I have a show of hands. How many of you here are members of Hillsong?"
While there was no show of hands, the question was misleading, as four of the contestants, Tarisai Vushe, Matt Corby, Daniel Mifsud and Ben McKenzie (pictured clockwise starting top left), belong to affiliated groups from the Assemblies Of God.
Today Tonight interviewed two ex-Hillsong members who confirmed they had been encouraged by their pastor to vote for certain contestants during the
Australian Idol competition. This is in contrast to Hillsong church's response to
Today Tonight, that "no
Australian Idol contestant has received any mention at the Hillsong church this year, but we wish them all well."
Jacob Butler, who is not a member of the Assembles Of God church, was voted off Monday night, further fuelling these speculations.
(Image: Getty)
Do you think it's wrong for religious groups to encourage their members to vote for contestants? Is this any different to the Irish contingent helping to catapult Irishman Damien Leith into the winner's spot in last year's comp? Have your say below.
