Australian Idol voters cut older singers as one contestant couldn’t hide her shock at almost going

The popular TV singing competition has come under fire after a contestant made a shocking claim about the show.

Older Australian Idol singers are being picked off early by the show’s teen voting bloc as birthdate rather than performance is likely to decide this year’s winner.

The first two singers eliminated were Maya Weiss, the oldest female contestant at the top of the contest’s cut-off age of 28, and Jasey Fox, one of the older male singers at 25.

Weiss said she knew going in that television talent quest voters tended to support younger competitors and the industry prefers them as they are more easily “moulded”.

Noora H shocked at the voting outcome.

But she and her fellow contestants were confused by the convoluted elimination process, believing the judges would decide their fate after the bottom four were decided by viewers.

“I do think the age is a massive part of it. The people watching are always going to resonate with people that they can relate to and I do think this show has a much younger audience than I anticipated,” she said.

“I’m not taking on any ego hit because the kids were so nice to us; all these little girls and boys in the front of the audience were crying when we were left.”

The other two artists to face a first round elimination were 24-year-old Ben Sheehy and Noora H, 27, who was visibly shocked and “annoyed” when she was directed to stand on the humiliating Danger Zone boxes before being declared safe at the end of the show.

Australian Idol Bottom 4. Ben, Noora, Jasey and Maya. Picture: Supplied / Seven

She could not contain her disappointment during the drawn-out build-up to the final announcement, which included a pointless “sing-off” from each of the bottom four despite voting already being closed before the show started.

“Somewhat,” the courageous Muslim contestant said when asked by Harry Connick Jr if she was surprised she was in the bottom four.

“I knew coming into this I had a bit of risk, I’m bringing in something new. But at the same time I do know how much I’ve got to give … so I don’t feel like now is my time to leave.”

🫶 #AustralianIdolpic.twitter.com/tffSbWAqoV

— JJ (@JJWWDaya) February 28, 2023

Fox said he knew he wouldn’t last the distance on Idol because of his theatrical performance style.

“I do think that the age bracket that is allowed on the show (15 to 28 years) gives you an idea of what they’re trying to achieve with the show. And I don’t know if I fall into the bracket of an Australian Idol … I haven’t really felt that the entire time,” he said.

Jasey Fox isn’t going to change his style for Idol or anyone else. Picture: Supplied

“I did feel my time was going to come because of how much I move and the way I perform is very theatrical,” Fox said.

“To me, that totally fits into a pop world but on the show and within Australia, I’m not sure if that translates as well as it does when I’m just doing my normal gigs.”

Both singers remain optimistic about using their Idol stints to relaunch their respective solo careers and Sony Music also retains an option to sign them and any of the top 12 finalists.