The shocking moment came after Alyssa Raghu already made it to the Top 8 in 2019.
American Idol auditions took a strange turn of events when Julia Davo performed for judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan during Sunday's episode.
Declaring she wanted to be "America's next female rock star," 20-year-old Julia auditioned with David Bowie's "Life on Mars?"
The audition did not garner much excitement from the judges, apart from Richie who advocated for Julia by saying she reminded him of an early Lady Gaga.
But then things took a strange turn. Julia shared that her "best friend" was former Idol contestant Alyssa Raghu, who auditioned for the show in 2018 and then competed in 2019, making it to the Top 8.
In fact, Alyssa was waiting outside of the audition room, seemingly to show her support for Julia. She came in after Julia was rejected from moving forward, giving the judges a hug.
"I know you said my voice was going to grow until it was 21, and you said that when I was 15. But just for giggles, I'd love to sing you something," Alyssa told the judges.
She then belted out Mariah Carey's "My All."
Perry told her, "You have grown!" but then when Alyssa implies she wants to compete on this season, Perry puts her head in her hands, saying, "Wait, what are you telling me? Are you telling me you want to audition for this season, like six years later?"
"I know it's in your hands, but it's like why not?" Alyssa says.
Perry calls the scenario a "really weird plot twist," saying she doesn't think that the contestant could win the show. But Luke Bryan seems more interested in the controversial faux audition. Both Richie and Bryan vote to move Alyssa forward as her friend made another desperate plea to be considered.
"I've gotta go," a shocked Perry declared, getting up from the judge's table and walking away.
Julia then hugged Alyssa post-audition telling her she "deserved it."
The moment didn't play out well online with many calling out Alyssa for hijacking her friend's audition.
Alyssa later took to Instagram to share her side of the story, posting a photo with Julia and writing, "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 @juliadavo for true friendship and incredible memories. Thank you all for watching, stay tuned for the next episode!"
American Idol airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
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