Hiba Tawajii fans were dealt a low blow when the Lebanese pop star was cut during the semifinals of the French reality TV show “The Voice" this weekend.
Adding insult to injury, many fans blamed her failure on a low score from her mentor during the competition, British-Lebanese judge Mika. Mika granted Tawaji 23 points compared to the 27 points granted to Canadian opponent David Thibault, a lead that Tawaji was unable to overcome during the public voting.
Thibault is now in the final four and will go on to compete in the season finale instead of Tawaji. The finale of the show will broadcast on Saturday, April 25, via French channel TF1.
Tawaji made headlines within Lebanon and internationally since December when she first auditioned for the fourth season of the popular French reality series. Many fans expressed their support of Tawaji throughout the competition. However, critics suggested Tawaji, an established Lebanese singer, had an unfair advantage as she has released three successful albums. Some fans were also surprised that she would feel the need to compete on a reality show when she is already a star in Lebanon.
First rising to prominence in 2007 when she collaborated with renowned Lebanese composer Oussama Rahbani, the singer has a broad audience within Lebanon. During her time on “The Voice,” Tawaji wowed audience with her performances in French, English and Arabic.
Previous Lebanese contestants on “The Voice” include Anthony Touma, who made it as far as Tawaji and Aline Lahhoud.
Although Tawaji did not win the show or make it to the finals, her fans are still proud of the attention and praise she garnered throughout the competition. To them, she was already the winner even before she auditioned for the series.