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Johannesburg - Carnival City’s Big Top Arena was a hive of activity on Sunday as Idols Season 13 ended off with a bang, crowning Cape Town’s Paxton Fielies (17) as the winner of this season.
As always, the competition was tough, with both Paxton and runner-up, Mthokozisi Ndaba (25) showing off their musical skills.
The audience exploded into cheers when Paxton was announced the winner – but Mthokozisi simply walked off the stage after giving the teenager a brief, side hug.
Mthokozisi, from KwaZulu-Natal, also wasn’t present at the press conference after the show – which seemingly left a bitter taste in fans’ mouths.
Twitter was none too impressed with Mthokozisi, with many branding the singer a “sore loser” for his behaviour.
But Mthokozisi insists he’s nothing of the sort.
He took to social media to say as much, in an Instagram video, expressing his thanks to his fans and confirming his support for Paxton.
“I won’t lie to you, in as much as I wanted to win, I am 100% for Paxton Fielies, I think we all worked hard for this, from the Top 10 until today,” he says in the video.
On Tuesday, Mthokozisi released another statement to help set the record straight, The Citizen reports.
“I would firstly like to take this opportunity and apologise to all media houses for my absence at the press conference after the announcement of the Idols winner of 2017,” he said.
“This was unplanned and unforeseen as I had prepared myself for the results going either way. It was a moment of weakness since I had wanted and needed this so badly not just for me but for my family.”
The young crooner added that he had felt like he’d let his family down by not claiming the title.
“I had planned to dedicate the win to my late parents and my late son, and at that moment I felt like I had let them down. I guess I let being human get the better of me.”
Mthokozisi add that he had congratulated Paxton after the show, contrary to what people might think.
“The other contestants from the top ten came to wish her well and as required, I had to move from the stage and allow her to celebrate her moment of glory. This was in no way a sign of being a sore loser.”
“The best decision I ever made was auditioning for Idols, it has truly changed my life for the better,” he concluded. “Once again, I thank you for all your love and support. God bless you all.”
Sources: Twitter, Roodepoort Record, The Citizen
