Headlines: Alyssa Raghu’s American Idol Return, AGT Judges Talk New Season

‘American Idol’: Orlando singer worked hard to return – Orlando singer Alyssa Raghu, 17, has been working to return to “American Idol” since she didn’t advance to the Top 14 last year.
After taking a break of several days, she said she realized “no more sadness, no more being upset, we have to work harder.” She seizes her second chance in the episode at 8 p.m. Sunday on ABC to perform for judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan. “I expected as soon as I walked into the audition they’d give me a hard time,” Alyssa said. “It was nothing but positivity.” Last year, Alyssa thought of herself as a singer, but this year, she sees herself as a performer. She has been working with a vocal coach nonstop. – Read more at Orlando Sentinel

LOOK: Fil-Am Jasmine Trias sings US national anthem for Clippers – Fil-Am singer Jasmine Trias sung the US national anthem, Tuesday (PHL time) at the Staples Center, as part of the LA Clippers’ celebration of Hawaii Night. Trias, born in Honolulu, Hawaii, is best known for finishing third in season three of American Idol. She later appeared on multiple Philippine commercials and billboard ads, and was a house guest on the first season of Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition. – abs-cbn

Waitress star Katharine McPhee wants to invite royal school friend Meghan Markle to see West End show – McPhee said they reunited backstage at the event, where Prince Harry spoke to a crowd of thousands, and they posed for a photograph together. She said: “She was lovely and she remembered me, she remembered my sister more specifically because they were in the same class, and she said, ‘I’m just sitting around waiting for the baby to come.’ – Read more at the Evening Standard

‘America’s Got Talent’s’ New Judges Dish on Bringing ‘Compassion’ and ‘Empathy’ to the Competition (Exclusive) – “One thing that Gabrielle and I bring is an empathy and a compassion, because we have been rejected many times, and we know what it feels like,” explained Hough, who previously served as a judge on Dancing With the Stars for several seasons. “So before [the contestants] even come out, they should know we’re rooting for you and we want to see your best.” “I am a bodyguard for these acts’ dreams. I protect them and make sure they have what they need,” Crews shared, beaming. “Because no one out here, not the judges not the crew, not the me, want to see anybody fail. We want to see you make it and want to see you do your best.” – See the Video at Entertainment Tonight

America’s Got Talent’s New Judges on Making People’s Dreams Come True – Hough is replacing Heidi Klum in the seat next to Cowell, and she says she and the Brit wit have hit it off. “Simon and I have a lot of like mindedness of when we’re watching the talent, giving constructive criticism,” she says. “But also, Simon has a beautiful heart. I think you’ve seen it a lot more in the last few seasons. This isn’t just a TV show for these people, this is their life. This is their passion, their dream.” – Read more at Parade

‘AGT’ Judges Say Season 14 Features ‘Biggest Surprise’ In Show’s History – America’s Got Talent will be back on May 28. And season 14 is apparently going to have the biggest surprise its audience has ever witnessed. “I just saw the most epic moment I’ve ever seen on AGT history. Nothing like anybody’s seen! People at home are going to be chattering. There is going to be more buzz than there ever has been,” AGT judge Howie Mandel tells Billboard. Terry Crews, who is stepping in to host this time around, absolutely agrees. “I really feel like it will be one of the most viral things in history,” he proclaims. While mum on the details, Crews did admit that the talent both he and Mandel were referring to was a performer that everyone was competing to slam their Golden Buzzer for. “It was massive,” he reveals. Ultimately, it was new kid on the block, judge Gabrielle Union, who timed it just right and was able to take the credit for advancing this mysterious guest to the next round. – Read more at Billboard

About mj santilli 34829 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!