In one of the most unexpected pieces of news we’ve heard all week, it turns out the Trump-loving owner of Hale & Hearty cafe was once on Australian Idol.
ICYMI, a social media storm erupted when Mark Da Costa, owner of Sydney’s Hale & Hearty cafe, made a series of staunchly pro-Trump posts.
In a since-deleted Facebook status, Da Costa declared the cafe to be a “@realdonaldtrump safe zone.”
“Hold tight people freedom of speech will be back… to all our past American friends and guests stay strong,” he said.
Da Costa’s pro-Trump comments only continued once the cafe began to receive accusations of bigotry and homophobia from past customers.
“Now for only being vocal about being Trumpions we are labelled BIGOTS, HOMOPHOBIC & RACIST. Bitch please we been one of your greatest friends since 2015. STOP THE ABUSE PLEASE,” he wrote.
Amidst all the backlash, it has been discovered that this is not Da Costa’s first time in the spotlight.
In actuality, he was a finalist on the fifth season of former reality TV juggernaut Australian Idol.
Although the season is most fondly remembered as the launching pad of then-teen heartthrob Matt Corby, Da Costa made it all the way to the final nine.
After having originally not made the elusive top 12, Da Costa was given a second chance via a wildcard position.
From there, the then 28-year-old made it through four more live shows, where he serenaded the crowd with such hits as ‘Yellow’ by Coldplay and ‘Vertigo’ by U2.
Hell, he even performed a no-doubt blazing rendition of primary school disco favourite ‘Nutbush City Limits’.
For those who wish to be transported back to the simpler time that was 2007, several bootleg copies of Da Costa’s performances are available on YouTube (although you didn’t hear it from me).
Check out Hale & Hearty owner Mark Da Costa performing on Australian Idol:
