Singer Alyssa Raghu, 21, is hoping to succeed on “American Idol” for the third time. However, some fans are upset that Raghu, who had previously auditioned twice on the show, received her third ticket to Hollywood on the episode that aired on March 17, 2024.
Raghu reached the Top 24 on season 16 of “American Idol,” and was in the Top 10 during season 17. She attended the season 22 auditions to support her best friend, Julia Davo, as she tried out for the show for the first time.
However, when Davo didn’t make it through to Hollywood, Raghu went into the room, hugged the celebrity judges — Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan — and then asked if she could demonstrate how much she’d improved vocally since her last appearance on the show. While Davo watched nervously on the sidelines, Raghu sang — and then requested another chance to go to Hollywood Week.
As Richie and Bryan voted for her, fans immediately began inundating the social media accounts of “American Idol” and Raghu with comments, shocked by her treatment of Davo and the fact that the show allowed Raghu to advance in that manner. The backlash was so immediate that Raghu released a statement after the show aired.
Here’s what you need to know:
Fans Flood Social Media With Complaints About Alyssa Raghu’s Treatment of Her Friend
At the start of the episode, Raghu shared an Instagram photo of herself on the show and wrote, “ummm it’s TIME! @americanidol is on right now. Tune in for the wildest episode yet”
Raghu sang a section of Mariah Carey’s “My All” for the judges. Perry told her she had definitely improved, but because she didn’t believe she could win the competition, she was unwilling to vote for her. However, Richie and Bryan both voted “yes,” giving her a golden ticket to Hollywood.
The judges encouraged Davo to watch and learn from Raghu as she goes through the process again, and Davo pleaded with them to let her go along for the ride with a golden ticket — but to no avail. As they left the audition space, Raghu hugged Davo and asked if she was okay, to which she repeatedly told her bestie she “deserved” to get through because she’s “worked so hard.”
Viewers weren’t convinced, though, and immediately filled Raghu’s most recent Instagram post with complaints.
“I’m sorry but why did you steal that from your friend that was so rude,” one person wrote.
“You have already been on the show, she should have gotten through.”
Someone else interjected, “You’re extremely rude. Using your friend to get yourself on to American idol? That was so terrible to watch. You won’t win 🤷🏻♀️”
“Using your friends audition to upstage her and get noticed,” another viewer wrote to Raghu. “You won’t go far in life stepping all over people for your own gain.”
Fans also spoke out when host Ryan Seacrest tweeted, “Plot twist. Alyssa Raghu got a golden ticket 😮 #AmericanIdol”
One person responded, “I have watched Idol since day one and this was definitely one of the lowest moments ever. Her friend was standing there biting her lip in angst. So yuck.”
Fans also expressed their frustration on the “American Idol” YouTube video of their auditions.
One wrote, “That was evil
I would not be her friend after that to be honest.
Another commented, “Raghu’s career and entire being is described as an 'American Idol contestant.' She’ll return for season 30. The whole audition was uncomfortable for Julia.”
Alyssa Raghu Reacts to Criticism With Statement
During all the negative comments, Raghu shared a statement on her Instagram and Facebook pages.
Together with a picture of her and Davo holding hands in the audition space while Raghu held her golden ticket, she wrote, “definitely a bittersweet moment. What they didn’t show was me constantly begging Julia to come on the show with me, but unfortunately the judges said no.”
She added, “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 and showcasing me at my realest moments. huge thank you to @juliadavo for true friendship and incredible memories. Thank you all for watching, stay tuned for the next episode!”
Within minutes, dozens of fans swooped in to say that it wasn’t about the editing, but about her taking advantage of her friend’s moment with the stars.
“That was beyond messed up,” someone responded on her Facebook post. “You just walked in and completely ignored how your friend might be feeling. You’ve already had the opportunity to do this. You went there to support HER and then moved all the attention to you. Not cool. If you wanted to audition you should have made plans to do so, just like she did. I can’t even believe they allowed you to do that. Shame on them too.”
Others quickly noticed that Raghu provided the wrong handle for Davo’s Instagram account — writing @juliadavo instead of @juliadavz, leading them to a broken link. But some stood up for Raghu, saying they plan to support her going forward.
One wrote, “regardless of what everyone says in the comment section, I am always, and will always be a huge supporter of yours! You have an incredible talent, and one that I have been so honored to watch grow and develop on screen.”
Another responded, “Alyssa, U are one of the sweetest, most talented people I know, don’t let the negativity deter U from reaching GREAT heights. @juliadavz, they’re leaving the door open for your return, regroup & kick the door in‼️”
Julia Davo Remains Friends With Alyssa Raghu After ‘American Idol’ Audition
Although fans are upset about Raghu turning Davo’s audition into her own tryout, it seems the two singers remain friends. While their “American Idol” episode aired, Davo posted a behind-the-scenes video from her audition day and the duo exchanged compliments in the comment section.
Raghu replied, “rockstar.”
And Davo responded, “pop star🤍”
Many viewers tried to warn Davo in the comment section to walk away from their friendship, though.
“That girl is NOT your friend,” one person wrote. “She came with full intentions of walking into your audition and making it her audition! She did you & every other contestant who went through the process, so wrong. She intentionally stabbed you in the back.”
Shortly after her “American Idol” post, Davo uploaded another Instagram video of herself singing a song she said she’d just composed, called “Windy Road.” Fans also filled the comment section of that post within minutes of her audition airing.
When the article was published, she had not publicly replied to any of the criticisms of Raghu, who is expected to appear on the Hollywood Week episodes starting on March 29.
