Idols SA contestant Siyakha Tshayela has been withdrawn from the M-Net reality show on its Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) channel on DStv with immediate effect.
Tshayela (23) a full-time musician from Vosloorus in the East Rand was included in the group of Top 16 Idols contestants as one of the 8 women vying to win the current 12th season.
The singer informed Idols producers that she had discussions with an independent record label before she entered Idols.
While she maintains that she did not sign a contract with the record company they insist that they made a record deal and signed a contract with her.
Upon entering the competition Idols contestants are told in no uncertain terms that they're not allowed to have any prior recording contracts with any recording companies.
"Siyakha Tshayela has been withdrawn from the 2016 season of Idols with effect from 15 September as a result of a dispute between herself and an independent recording company," says Idols. "Participants are required to sign an exclusive recording deal with the Idols appointed recording label when they enter the series."
"On 1 August Siyakha Tshayela informed us that she had entered into discussions with an independent recording company before entering Idols, but she maintained there was no contract in place. The recording company insists there is."
Idols says there's been "no resolution" to the behind-the-scenes dispute.
"Due to conditions stipulated by the Idols format rights holder we are unable to continue with a contestant that is currently involved in a legal dispute of this nature”, says Idols.
