Summary
- Alyssa Raghu returned to audition for American Idol Season 22 after previously making it to the Top 8 of American Idol Season 17, leaving fans wondering if the judges broke the rules on her behalf.
- Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan sent Alyssa to Hollywood again, while Katy Perry said no.
- The judges did not break the rules by allowing Alyssa to audition again because the eligibility requirements for previous contestants have changed.
American Idol season 17 Top 8 finalist Alyssa Raghu returned to audition for the show in season 22, It left viewers wondering if judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan broke the rules on her behalf, as previously top 10 contestants were not allowed to come back. Alyssa came to the audition with her best friend Julia Davo, who was also trying out for the competition. However, Julia didn’t make it to Hollywood because only Lionel voted yes. Alyssa, now 21, told the judges that when she was 15, they said her voice would get bigger.
Alyssa said, “just for fun” she would like to sing American Idol season 22 judges and sang “My All” by Mariah Carey. Alyssa told them that she had never competed on the show growing up, so she didn’t know if it was out of the question. Luke said, “Hey, I love cutting off… off course.” Alyssa agreed “I’m 21! I love breaking the rules!” Katy said she didn’t think Alyssa could win so she said no. However, Lionel and Luke said yes, so Alyssa got her golden ticket. Although Alyssa was before American Idol season 17 Top 8, no rules were broken for him.
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Alyssa Raghu’s American Idol History
This was Alyssa’s third time auditioning American Idol. She earned her first golden ticket to Hollywood in 2019 in season 16 at the age of 15. when she sang Ariana Grande ft. “Almost Is Never Enough” by Nathan Sykes. Lionel, Katy and Luke voted yes, so he moved on to the next round. In Hollywood, Alyssa made it to the top 24, during which she sang Rihanna ft. Mikky Eko’s “Stay” and Coldplay’s “Yellow” duet with Banners. However, Alyssa was eliminated after this round.
Alyssa returned the next year to audition American Idol season 17 He sang “Shark in the Water” by VV Brown. Once again, all three judges said yes, so she competed in Hollywood. In Season 17, Alyssa made it to the Top 8, singing songs like Paramore’s “Ain’t It Fun,” “Colors of Fire” Pocahontasand “Somebody to Love” by Queen. After making it to the top 14 with her performance of Sara Bareilles’ “She Used to Be Mine,” she didn’t get enough votes to make the top 10, but Katy decided to save her. However, Alyssa was eliminated in the next round.
Alyssa made it to Hollywood for the third time American Idol season 22 She is the first person to audition again after being a Top 8 finalist in the previous season. Alyssa is now competing during Hollywood Week.
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The American Idol judges didn’t break Alyssa’s rules
American Idol There used to be a rule that if a contestant made it to the top 10 in any season, they couldn’t audition again. Until American Idol season 19 (season 4 on ABC) in 2021, eligibility requirements stated, “You are not eligible to participate in the program if you competed on any previous season of American Idol and advanced to the Top 10 stage of the competition.” However, during American Idol season 20 (season 5 on ABC), the rules changed to say, “You are not eligible to participate in the program if you competed in any previous season of American Idol and placed first in the competition.”
This change was probably made because during American Idol in season 19, the show featured a special Comeback Competition for season 18 contestants whose season had to go remote when the shutdown of the COVID-19 pandemic occurred. American Idol wanted to give them the opportunity to perform in front of a live audience. Season 18 runner-up Arthur Gunn won the Comeback Competition and also competed in Season 19, despite finishing second the previous year. No finalist had ever done that. The show had to change the rules after the audition to make Arthur’s return possible.
Because this American Idol the eligibility requirement was changed and remains unchanged, the judges didn’t break any rules when Alyssa not only re-auditioned after becoming a Top 8 finalist, but then made it to Hollywood. Although the previous rules did not allow the top 10 contestants to audition, the rules were changed in 2021 so that only the winners can no longer compete. Because Alyssa has never won American Idolhe is eligible to compete again.
American Idol
season 22 airs Sundays at 8pm EDT on ABC.
Sources: American Idol/YouTube, American Idol Season 19 (Season 4)/Eligibility Requirements, American Idol Season 20 (Season 5)/Eligibility Requirements
American Idol
American Idol is a reality singing competition that complements the international “Idol” brand, which was originally conceived in the UK as Pop Idol. American Idol held massive auditions across the United States and invited several contestants to appear in front of a panel of judges who decided whether they would advance to future rounds for the chance to compete on the show’s fully televised premiere. The contestants would be voted on weekly by the American public by voting through various media, and the winner of the contest would be awarded a record deal to secure a future as America’s next musical idol.
