14 DAY TRIAL // After the judges audition over the weekend, the X Factor hopefuls for the latest season have been narrowed down to just 12 – and Gamu Nhengu is not among them, which has made many accuse Cheryl Cole of blatant racism.
As we also informed you the other day, another hopeful, Chery Lloyd, was eventually allowed through to the next stage, despite the fact that she was barely able to sing a note due to nerves and a very sore throat.
Not the same can be said about Gamu Nhengu, who, as the Daily Mail can confirm, sang her little heart out and even impressed will.i.am with her vocal range.
Gamu was also a favorite to win, having impressed the judges the first time she stood in front of them at auditions and performed a customized version of “Walking on Sunshine.”
During the boot camp stage, she sang so beautifully she actually moved judge Louis Walsh to tears – and, as fans must know, that doesn’t happen every day.
Still, Cheryl decided that Gamu shouldn’t be among the final 12 – much to the outrage of fans, who have taken to Twitter, Facebook and online communities to accuse her of racism.
As many of them put it, if a contestant is not white and doesn’t resemble one of the judges (a hint at the similarity in look between Cheryl and Cher), the contestant doesn’t stand a chance no matter how talented she or he is.
Others, on the other hand, can’t even begin to understand how Gamu was booted, while Cher and another contestant, who both broke down on the last audition, were voted through.
Many promise they’ll not watch X Factor again unless producers or Simon Cowell (he seems to be the only one not considered a racist) bring the 18-year-old student back on the show.
“Cheryl is so daft. I mean, just because Africa gave you malaria doesn’t mean you should take it out on poor Gamu,” one commenter says on Twitter.
“Shows that clearly your skin color is still what is important in the UK despite what they say otherwise. Racism is rife look at Danii Mingoue’s picks also,” another user says on Facebook.
“If they don't like you & you are not their bet its over! If you are white and the judge’s favorite because you remind him/her of themselves then you can get away with anything. Anyway what is wrong is that very little talent singers like Cheryl judge others on their voices??” the same poster says.
Below are Gamu Nhengu’s three performances on X Factor before getting the boot. See them and judge for yourself whether fans are right to be outraged.
Gamu Nhengu – First judges audition
Gamu Nhengu – Boot camp audition
Gamu Nhengu – Judges’ stage