The 'I Kissed a Girl' singer is not happy that Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie send a returning contestant to Hollywood after hijacking her best friend's audition.
- Mar 18, 2024
AceShowbiz - "American Idol" was back with a new episode on Sunday, March 17. The fourth part of the auditions saw a bittersweet competition between two BFFs that led to a disagreement among the judges.
Alyssa Raghu, who previously competed in 2018 and 2019 and made it as far as the top eight, accompanied her best friend Julia Davo to the audition. After Julia's rendition of David Bowie's "Life on Mars?" failed to earn her a Golden Ticket, Alyssa reunited with the judges.
"I know you said my voice was going to grow until I was 21, and you said that when I was, like, 15. But just for giggles I'd love to sing you something," she told Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. She sang "My All" by Mariah Carey, which was beautiful, but not necessarily mind-blowing.
"I think you could go in. Do I think you could win it? No, personally," Katy frankly said. Bryan, however, likes "having her around" and was willing to give her a shot. After he and Lionel gave two "yeses" to Alyssa, Katy was not happy as she was seen walking away from the judges' table.
Julia was supportive of her best friend, telling Alyssa, "You worked so hard for this." Meanwhile, Ryan Seacrest seemed to worry about the two's friendship, saying, "Good luck with the friendship; good luck with the journey."
Earlier in the episode, the three judges unanimously sent 16-year-old Deida Jeudy to Hollywood after she sang "River" by Leon Bridges, bringing a lot of power and emotion for a teenager. The judges gave the student a standing ovation, with Lionel calling her a "natural."
Elleigh Marie's performance of "I Can't Make You Love Me" by Bonnie Raitt started "sort of average," according to Katy, who later was wowed by her. Luke predicted that she could be in the Top 10, while Lionel said Elleigh's voice took him to a place that was "pure" and "angelic."
Another contestant, Anthena Jett, brought along her 12-year-old little sister who wanted to give Katy a purse she crocheted herself. Despite the sentimental gift, Anthena failed to move the judges with her "Somebody New" by Sophia James. That's when her younger sister played a big role in the audition, suggesting that the judges listen to Anthena's cover of "Never Enough" from "The Greatest Showman". Anthena's sister was right because the judges sent her to Hollywood following her second performance.
Quintavious, a 21-year-old worship leader and vocal coach from Franklin, Tennessee, Lillian Hackett, a 17-year-old student from Lovettsville, Virginia, 23-year-old camp director Jacob Holcombe, 18-year-old college student Anna Grace, and 18-year-old camp counselor DJ Williams were among other contestants winning Golden Tickets.
On the other hand, 15-year-old Payton Riley was told to return when she's 18 years old by Katy, who praised the teen for being a "really talented" songwriter. In the second hour of auditions, there was Reagan Mills, whom Luke compared to the late Leslie Jordan. The 24-year-old worship leader earned three "yeses" from the judges following her rendition of "Is My Living in Vain" by The Clark Sisters.
Amari, a 28-year-old waitress from Richmond, Indiana, Conall Gorman, a 19-year-old college student from Montclair, New Jersey, and 26-year-old Michael Rice also secured their spots for the Hollywood Week round.
