Alyssa Raghu criticizes 'American Idol' 2024 edits amid 'jeopardizing friend's performance' accusations
SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA: 'American Idol' Season 22 contestant Alyssa Raghu seems not to be happy with the edits her performance got in the audition round. The singer did not originally come to audition for the show. But she ended up auditioning as she came on the stage to support her BFF Julia Davo.
Fans instantly started labeling Alyssa a "sham" for jeopardizing her friend's performance. A user commented, "She just used her 'friend' to shove her way into an audition. Calculated. She's already been on the show. I'd rather see Julia. Stop making a sham of the process." Another commented, "Wow. With friends like that, who needs enemies???"
Another commented, 'Way to steal your friends thunder…… wow." Another hoped, "I hope Karma boots Raghu off. That was so underhanded and low. Thank you for the NO, Katy." Another claimed, "What a good "best friend". I feel sorry for Julia."
"That was so strange lmao I feel bad for the girl like how are you gonna ask to be on the show again when your friend just got told no," commented another.
Addressing the edits, Alyssa wrote on her Instagram after the episode aired, "Definitely a bittersweet moment. What they didn't show was constantly begging Julia to come on the show with me, but unfortunately, the judges said no."
She further thanked the ABC show for giving her the opportunity to appear on the show. Alyssa wrote, "Being able to grow up on this show is something so special to my heart, I want to thank the @americanidol family for teaching me so much throughout the years."
'American Idol' Season 22: Did Alyssa Raghu get a golden ticket?
Alyssa was rejected from 'American Idol' when she auditioned at the age of 15. Coming back on the show at the age of 21, Alyssa wanted judges to consider her. But, Katy Perry did not want to give her another chance.
She said, "I think you could go in. Do I think you could win it? No, personally. Becasue if you were gonna go to Idol one more time, I wanna know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you could win." Katy added, "It's a No for me."
Thankfully, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie ended up saying Yes to Alyssa, making her advance to Hollywood Week.
'American Idol' Season 22 contestant Alyssa Raghu apologizes to BFF Julia Davo after stealing her spot
As Alyssa begged the judges to give her another chance, she thanked the judges for giving her another chance. Luke advised Julia to be around her BFF and learn from her.
Julia replied, "If I'm on the show with her, I could learn." Alyssa got the ticket to Hollywood Week but not Julia. As both walked out of the stage, Alyssa said to her best friend, "You wanna throw away? Throw away."
Instead of lashing out at Alyssa, Julia hugged her friend and said, "You deserved it."
'American Idol' Season 22 airs on ABC on Sundays at 8 pm ET/PT.