Remember Alyssa Raghu from last season’sAmerican Idol? Well, she’s back for more, and the 17-year-old sure knows how to make an entrance!
In an exclusive clip from this Sunday’s all-new episode, the fan-favorite contestant returned to audition and surprise judgeKaty Perry.
“You’re not allowed to cheat!” Richie, 69, told Perry, to which she protested, “I’m not trying to cheat, I just looked up!” Bryan, 42, also feigned outrage: “She was looking in the window to try to see who it was!”
But Perry, 34, wasn’t having it. “I just want to hear them sing, how about that? Do I know them?” she asked, prompting Bryan to smile knowingly at Raghu and tell her to start singing.
Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Katy Perry.ABC
As Raghu began to belt out lyrics to VV Brown’s “Shark In the Water” and strum her guitar, Perry’s jaw dropped.
Instantly recognizing the teen’s voice and unable to contain her excitement, Perry ventured, “My sauce?!” — a nickname she coined for Raghu during last season.
Perry then finally opened her eyes to see Raghu standing in front of her, to which she squealed, “I got my sauce!”
Meanwhile, Richie and Bryan watched on, applauding the young singer and chuckling at the heartwarming scene.
Alyssa Raghu.ABC
Last season, Raghu astounded the panel with her performance ofAriana Grande’s “Almost Is Never Enough.” Perry championed the singer onIdol, telling her “I’m a believer in you,” and even predicted that she would be Top 10.
Since then, Perry has affectionately made jokes about sauce while commending Raghu for her voice.
After one particular performance, Perrytweeted,“She’s got that sauce” — a saying often used to describe someone with an amazing or unique talent.
However, after an underwhelming performance of Coldplay’s “Yellow,” Raghu failed to make it to the Top 14.
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In the time since, Raghu gained two years of performing experience, having been home-schooled to give her more time to focus on singing.
American Idolairs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET, with five additional Monday night episodes beginning on March 18.
source: people.com
