Entertainment
17-year-old teen sings Katy Perry classic, and Katy’s mad she “sang it better than her”
Alyssa didn't make it last year on American Idol, but she didn't let it stop her. She went home and improved, and look at her now!
Kalli Sarkin
05.02.19

You should never give up on your dreams. That may seem easier said than done, but when you have your heart set on something it is really worth it to follow through and give it your best effort. One girl knows this better than anyone, and her hard work has definitely paid off.

Alyssa Raghu isn’t your average 17 year old. She is an ultra-talented artist who is destined to be a star. She has certainly faced some setbacks, but she is proving to the world that with enough dedication any dream can come true.

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Alyssa is from Orlando, Florida, and she has competed on her favorite show, American Idol, not once but twice! She absolutely loves music, and she is willing to do whatever it takes to follow her dream of becoming a singing sensation.

Alyssa’s first debut on American Idol was just last year. She made it all the way to the top 24 – an incredible accomplishment considering most of us at her age are barely learning how to drive. She wowed the judges with some truly amazing performances, including her take on Ariana Grande’s “Almost Is Never Enough.”

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Alyssa showcased her talents to the best of her ability. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t meant to be. The young performer left the show, but she had made it so far in following her dream. She knew that this detour wouldn’t be the end of the road.

So Alyssa went home and got to work. She belted out tunes everywhere she went. She practiced her singing and her stage performance. She wouldn’t stop until she made it to the top.

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The young star came back twice as strong for this year’s American Idol competition. She was ready to show the judges everything she had worked on in the past year. All her hard work DEFINITELY paid off.

Alyssa’s comeback has captivated countless viewers. She has already made it to the Top 8! She is well on her way to winning the show, and she certainly isn’t backing down.

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Alyssa’s performance during the Top 10 Reveal was simply stunning. She sang Katy Perry’s “The One That Got Away” – but she made the song all her own. She changed up the beat to make the song more soft and soothing, and the result is amazing. This girl is one TALENTED artist.

The singer professionally commanded each note, varying her voice in a way that only a true star could. As the chorus came on, Alyssa stepped it up by raising her tone and making her voice even more melodic. You’ve never heard the song like this before!

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By the end the judges were in shock: Alyssa really is that good.

“Raghu, R-sauce,” Luke Bryan began, “I want to applaud you for just what you went through last year, and then coming back and retooling and overhauling your persona. You came back with the voice, but then you came back with this whole other shining light that you went out and worked on. If you always commit that much to music it will pay you back. So great job on that.”

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Luke is right. Alyssa is certainly seeing the fruits of her labor in her outstanding success on the show. Katy Perry’s words were even more touching.

“First of all how dare you?!” The judge demanded. “How dare you come out and sing that song 100 times better than me!” Katy told Alyssa that her singing was beautiful, and that she had grown into a gorgeous young woman.

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Alyssa handled the judge’s feedback like a true star. She was so happy to be on that stage, an it showed in every word she said. When asked what she was feeling after completing the performance, Alyssa only had one thing to say: “Super grateful.”

“This has been my dream since I was born,” the singer shared. She began to tear up as she addressed the judges. “I just want to say thank you,” she told them.

Alyssa has loved her experience with American Idol, and she is glad the judges have helped her come so far.

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“They’ve just helped me grow as an artist,” Alyssa told the Orlando Sentinel. “I really can’t ask for much more. They’ve helped me grow and get exposure. I have to thank ‘American Idol’ for that. I’m doing what I love every single day. I really can’t tell you how happy that makes me.”

Alyssa never gave up on her dreams, even when it seemed like the deck was stacked against her. Now she is loving the limelight, and she deserves every minute of it! No matter what you want, go after it. It will always be worth it.

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