Orlando singer grateful for second chance on ‘Idol’
Katy Perry questioned Orlando singer’s Alyssa Raghu’s song choice, “Ain’t It Fun,” on Monday’s episode of “American Idol.”
“I didn’t hear those notes that I know Raghu has,” Perry said. “Don’t forget that those notes are getting you here.”
Alyssa, 17, has made it to the Top 20 on the ABC singing contest and has become “Raghu” to judges Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie.
In a tweet later Monday, Perry changed her mind and praised Alyssa after watching the episode. “Keep bringing the confidence and that fun,” the pop star wrote Alyssa. “I think you picked the right song to show off a whole other side we didn’t even know existed.”
Alyssa next performs in the celebrity-duets round with Julia Michaels on that singer’s “Issues.” Those episodes air at 8 p.m. Sunday and Monday; Alyssa sings Monday.
The high-school junior, who is home-schooled, said Michaels “loves doing her job. I want to do that.”
Alyssa was 15 and a sophomore at Lake Nona High School when she tried out for “Idol” last season. She made it to the Top 24, and
Perry urged her to improve her performing skills. In the past year, the teen has worked with a vocal coach and performed often locally before seizing a second chance on “Idol.”
“I know some people may question my song choices and my abilities to do certain things,” Alyssa said. “But I have a plan. I’m ready to show America what I can really do.”
“Ain’t It Fun” was part of that plan. She delivered the song confidently while strutting across the stage. “Performance is a huge part of winning this competition,” she said.
Central Florida is also represented on “The Voice” by three singers. Kayslin Victoria, 16, is from Clermont. There are two onenamed performers: Mari, 20, from Clermont, and Selkii, 31, from Orlando. But “The Voice,” which airs at 8 p.m. Monday on NBC, hasn’t announced when hopefuls will compete.
“American Idol” has shown Alyssa singing “Shark in the Water” in an audition, “What About Us” in Hollywood Week and “Dear Future Husband” in Hawaii before she performed “Ain’t It Fun” at The Wiltern in Los Angeles.
“The Voice” draws more viewers these days. But “American Idol,” in its 17th season, has a richer legacy of producing stars, from winners Kelly Clarkson (now on “The Voice”) and Carrie Underwood to alsorans Jennifer Hudson and Adam Lambert.
Alyssa says she’s thrilled to be back to gain the exposure and the constructive criticism. “It’s been worth it, 100 percent,” she said. “I’m glad I can continue to work hard.”
Perry’s comments have made the deepest impression. The pop star told Alyssa that her guitar playing on “Shark in the Water” wasn’t as good as her singing. The teen has put away her guitar to focus on her vocals.
The reassurance she gets from Perry “calms everything down,” Alyssa said.
Perry, in a play on the Raghu name, said in Monday’s tweet: “My sauce has been growing up before my eyes!”
Last year, Alyssa’s father supported her through the process. This year, her dad, mother and three sisters have been there to back her up. “I think being able to see my family through the show has helped me,” she said. “I can do this.”
She feels the backing from her hometown. “I thought because I did this last year, I thought people would be rolling their eyes, ‘Oh, we don’t want to see her again.’ But, no, Orlando was so supportive,” Alyssa said.
There is still a lot of show left. The Top 14 will perform April 14, then the Top 10 sing in the live April 15 show. The winner will be named May 19.
“I’m so, so grateful for the opportunity,” Alyssa said. “I know that the second chance doesn’t always come along. I don’t take that lightly.”