The accusation levelled by Australian Idol judges at Tarisai Vushe immediately before she was thrown off the show — that she is 'fake' — ties into a new kind of teenage mentality, according to commentators.

The fiery 20-year-old Vushe ripped into Idol judges Ian Dickson and Mark Holden over the 'fake' claim, but experts point that her failure is probably about not being fake enough.

"They are all performers and I think that for Tarisai and others, maybe they just weren't convincing enough at being 'fake' and that they couldn't carry it off as well as others," Queensland University of Technology academic Susan Hetherington said.




Catherine Lumby from the University of New South Wales says young girls are very engaged with the idea of 'fakeness'.

"Teenage girls watch these shows so avidly because it’s a bit like every girl is on a stage," Professor Lumby said. "Everyone watches you; boys, girls, parents, teachers, and that's why teenage girls can be quite narcissistic."

According to Professor Lumby, teenage girls are constantly altering their looks and experimenting with what works best in much the same way as reality show contestants.

But if you can't pull it off successfully you get called 'fake'.

"I definitely think that it's an art form competing on these reality shows and people are aware of it because they study these shows," Professor Lumby said.

The fiery 20-year-old Vushe ripped into Idol judges Ian Dickson and Mark Holden over the 'fake' claim, but commentators point that her failure is probably about not being fake enough.

"They are all performers and I think that for Tarisai and others, maybe they just weren't convincing enough at being 'fake' and that they couldn't carry it off as well as others," Queensland University of Technology academic Susan Hetherington said.

Chaanah Crichton, 21, from the Sydney suburb of Vaucluse doesn't understand why Tarisai would be so upset by the claim of being called fake.

"I think most people's behaviour is slightly self monitored and people try and show a side of them that isn't reality," Ms Crichton said. "Especially for teenage girls there is so much pressure to conform and to be cool and that's why they will monitor their behaviour."

Professor Hetherington also finds the whole shock factor of being labelled 'fake' a bit of a joke.

"I find the whole debate interesting because it's not reality television and anyone that thinks it is, is kidding themselves," said Ms Hetherington.

"It's a competition and people doing what they think will get them through to the end will surely change their personality to win."