Alyssa Raghu accusing American Idol editors of creating a “false narrative” pitting she and friend against each other.
With headlines blaring that Alyssa Raghu “stole” her ticket from her best friend Julia Davo, or that fans were angry that Alyssa took her best friend’s spot, the American Idol contestant took to social media to explain what happened behind the scenes of her controversial audition.
On Sunday, American Idol aired an audition featuring Alyssa accompanying her best friend Julia to her audition. Long story short–judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan did NOT give Julia a Golden Ticket to the Hollywood Round. However, after Alyssa entered the room to say hi, she seemingly snatched her own ticket, with some regard for her friend’s feelings, but more focused on her own success. That’s how American Idol producers edited the clip, Alyssa claims. (Full episode recap HERE)
Alyssa Raghu had competed on American Idol in 2018 and 2019
Alyssa knows the panel. She previously competed on American Idol TWICE. First as a 15 year old in 2018, where the judges eliminated her during the Top 24 round. The following year, she auditioned again, and made it to the voting rounds. She finished in 8th place. A third run at the show is unprecedented, which probably fueled fan’s negative feelings even further.
In any case, Alyssa explained, from her point of view, what happened behind the scenes. Interestingly, she sang TWO songs. The singer must have been disappointed when the show did not air her original song, Instead, they showed her only covering a Mariah Carey song.
“I believe that had I been a male artist this situation would have never been edited the same way.”
Alyssa is especially disappointed, because she feels the narrative pitted “two friends against each other.” Alyssa said in the clip, “It’s really disappointing to see that the show decided to go this route with their edit rather than showing how supportive and collaborative our friendship has always been.”
Further, Alyssa believes that “This situation perpetuates harmful narrative of pitting women against each other.” She added, “I believe that had I been a male artist this situation would have never been edited the same way.”
The singer helped prepare her friend “for weeks on end” to audition for the show. Alyssa was “excited for her to finally get the recognition that she deserves.” During her pre-audition process, says Alyssa, Julia mentioned her name to producers. “They were the ones that invited me to come to set as a guest.” Julia encouraged Alyssa to have a song ready incase the judges asked her to perform as an alumni.
“The editors re-arranged conversations and left out crucial details”
Alyssa believed that anyone who is part of the live rounds is ineligible from ever auditioning again (Not so. Anyone outside of the winner can audition again.) The singer is frustrated that the clip was edited to “seem like I went into the room with the intention of hijacking Julia’s audition and took her Golden Ticket when there was in fact enough tickets to go around.”
Alyssa says the reality is “very far from all of this that happened.” She claims that “the editors re-arranged conversations and left out crucial details to create a false narrative of betrayal for the sake of controversy and ratings.”
What really happened, according to Alyssa
Alyssa explains that while she waited outside Julia’s audition, a producer grabbed her hand, took away her phone and said, “Come with me now.” She took Alyssa into the room to meet the judges, who were warm and friendly. Alyssa thanking the judges for everything they did for her was cut from the final edit, the singer insists.
Alyssa says that when she learned Julia didn’t make it, she was devastated. Next, the judges asked Alyssa about her own career and she said she’d been working on improving her own vocal abilities and recording a lot of music.
“I was baited…into assuming that my audition was not only for myself”
The judges seemed genuinely interested in her progress as an artist. As a way to show them how far she’d come, Alyssa sang two times. After singing the Mariah Carey song, the judges suggested that Julia could shadow Alyssa during Hollywood Week. Next, Alyssa sat at the piano and sang an original song, which she considered her “real” audition. But that performance was cut from the show, although a photo exists. As Alyssa advocated for her own golden ticket, she believed Julia would come along with her. “I was baited here into assuming that my audition was not only for myself, but rather to find a way for Julia to continue in this competition.”
When the judges said yes to Alyssa, she assumed Julia would be joining her. “But to my surprise, the judges still said no to her,” said Alyssa, “Despite Julia and I pleading the entire time to let her sing more songs.” At one point in the clip, everybody was laughing, making it appear that nobody was taking Julia’s request seriously. “But in reality, the laughter was in reaction to Julia’s perseverance and dedication in fighting for her spot.”
“We felt misled in this situation”
All the pleading the two did with the judges was cut from the episode, Alyssa claims. As the two walked off the stage, Alyssa offered to throw away her ticket. “That moment was important, because we felt misled in this situation together.” Again, says Alyssa, the producers cut out their conversation. “It became apparent that the show’s priority was to create dramatic moments for the sake of entertainment, instead of focusing on the artist’s journey and growth.”
Alyssa has a message to fans: “I really want to apologize for any confusion or misunderstandings caused by the way the show is edited.” She adds, “Its important to understand and remember that reality TV prioritizes creating dramatic moments and narratives to attract viewers, even if it means distorting the truth.”
Fan reaction to Alyssa’s video is mixed
After appearing on the show twice, Alyssa didn’t understand how reality shows work? Or did she believe it would never happen to her after her first two experiences received positive edits? In any case. Alyssa stresses that she and Julia remain the best of friends. “I will always support and advocate for her.”
On Instagram, reaction to Alyssa’s video is mixed. “I would 100% toss out that ticket if that is really how things went down. Why would you want to stay a part of a show that would portray you like that, and screw your friend over? By staying you’re showing them it’s okay to do-that…they can get away with it. By staying it just seems like everything you just said was to make yourself look better.”
Another wrote, “Editing didn’t force you to sing…. TWICE and overtake your friend’s audition. It’s not that you took her ticket. She wasn’t getting one. It’s that you took the opportunity to outshine her. The HONORABLE thing to do is quit the show.”
Other fans, were supportive: “Glad you came to address the situation. I think people have probably formed their opinions about it already but I’m glad you chose to address it nonetheless. Good luck this season.”
