American idol contestant blames anti-gay backlash for poor vote

By Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk • April 10, 2006 - 0:00

Mandisa Hundley said she is upset by speculation claiming she endorses the ex gay movement

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An American Idol contestant has blamed her Christian beliefs as a factor for her being voted off the show last week.

Mandisa Hundley, a Christian soul singer, says her praise of author Beth Moore, from biblical group, the Living Proof ministries, may have damaged her reputation and made people think she was anti gay.

Ms Moore's site contains links to "ex gay" group, Exodus International.

Hundley said she is upset by speculation claiming she endorses the ex gay movement, "It broke my heart, I live my life by the value system that you treat others the way you want to be treated. I let love be my guide. I absolutely hate no one."

However the 29-year-old also added that she would never perform at a gay event, "Based on what I believe, I'm not an advocate for (being gay), so it's nothing I would take part in."

She had been a favourite to win the contest but believes the negative publicity may have contributed to the result, "I've heard a lot of different theories about what could have happened, and all of 'em sound pretty decent to me."

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