Did Alyssa Ragu Steal BFF 'American Idol' Audition?

It will be interesting to see if the friendship between “BFFs” Julia Davo and Alyssa Ragu can withstand the hijacking that took place on Sunday night’s American Idol when Alyssa, who had already made it to the Top 8 in 2019, got a Golden Ticket to Hollywood for 2024 when she was ostensibly only there to be emotional support for her best friend.

Julia, who has “rock” and “roll” tattooed on her thighs just above her knees, entered the audition room saying, “I want to be America’s next female rock star. I want to be our generation’s Blondie or like a female David Bowie, a complete rock icon. I want to be the next American Idol.”

Toward that goal, 20-year-old Julia auditioned with Bowie's "Life on Mars?"

She didn’t exactly win over judges Katy Perry and Luke Bryan, but she had Lionel Richie in her corner, but it wasn't enough.

Katy said, “It’s big, it’s different. It’s a bit heavy on the vibrato.”

Then Luke jumped in, telling Julia, “I think you have incredible tools. I want you to get to who you are as an artist as quickly as possible.”

Lionel said, “I had the same feeling when I first saw Gaga. The journey might be something really special here. I would love to see who you might turn into.”

Related: American Idol Judges Award the Second Platinum Ticket to the 'Best Thing We've Ever Heard'

Lionel begged his co-judges to give Julia a yes, but Katy said, “It’s needs some refining still before it goes to Mars,” so it was a no for her. And Luke said, “I think you’re still on the journey to find your true artist.”

Lionel declared it the ‘worst day of his life.’

When Katy commented on her accent, Julia explained she was from Brooklyn, but she had just moved to Los Angeles with “her best friend Alyssa Ragu.” Alyssa was waiting outside and then was allowed in. So, Julia definitely had a no before Alyssa entered the room and hugged all the judges.

Luke told Alyssa that Julia didn’t make it and he said the good thing about their friendship is she didn’t make Idol on her first audition either. “You had to hear some stuff and then you grew exponentially.”

Alyssa did make it to the Top 8 in her second attempt at American Idol, and normally once you make the Top 10, you can't come back, so what happened next was strange, maybe even prearranged.

Lionel asked Alyssa to have Julia return when she’s ready in Alyssa’s eyes, and that’s when the hijack happened.

"I know you said my voice was going to grow until I was 21, and you said that when I was 15. But just for giggles, I'd love to sing you something," Alyssa said.

Katy said, “Yes. Give it to us. One last chance on the oval.”

Alyssa then belted out Mariah Carey's "My All."

Katy said, "You have grown!"

Lionel said, “Congratulations. And that’s the point we were trying to make. Fifteen was 15 and Ragu now is Ragu.”

Related: American Idol Judges Give Out the First Platinum Ticket to the ‘Best Soul Singer of the Season'

Then Alyssa, who is now 21, said, “I have never competed on the show as an adult, so I don’t know if that’s out of the question.”

Perry is confused, asking, "Wait, what are you telling me? Are you telling me you want to audition for this season, like six years later?"

Alyssa says, “It’s in your hands, but why not?”

Luke says he likes going off [script], and Alyssa says she likes breaking the rules.

Katy says it’s a "really weird plot twist. Do I think you could go in? Yes. Do I think you could win it? No. I think if you’re going to go to Idol another time, I’d want to know without a shadow of a doubt that you could win. It’s a no for me.”

But Lionel says, “We have nothing to lose and you have everything to gain, so it’s a yes for me.”

Luke says, “I like having you around. I’ll give you a shot.” Then Luke says that Julia could shadow Alyssa and learn.

Julia interrupts him to say, “If I was on the show with her, I could learn. Can I please…”

But it was still a no, and at that point, Katy’s had enough and says, “I've gotta go," and leaves the judges table.

As they leave, Julia tells Alyssa, "You deserved it." But does she? Social media didn’t think so, but Alyssa posted on social media defending herself:

“Definitely a bittersweet moment. What they didn’t show was me constantly begging Julia to come on the show with me, but unfortunately the judges said no. being able to grow up on this show is something so special to my heart, I want to thank the @americanidol family for teaching me so much throughout the years and showcasing me at my realest moments. huge thank you to @juliadavz for true friendship and incredible memories. Thank you all for watching, stay tuned for the next episode!”

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American Idol airs Sunday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and streams next day on Hulu.

Next, See the British Import Who American Idol Judge Lionel Richie Says 'Gave It All'