Alyssa Raghu's 'American Idol' journey ends and we're all a bit sad

ALYSSA RAGHU: "I did my best."

IT'S THE end of the line for Orlando's teenager Alyssa Raghu on ABC's American Idol, but perhaps it's the launching of a long career.

After a sparkling solo performance Sunday that really impressed the judges' panel, her Monday duet with Banner lacked the polish expected of the contestants at this stage of the singing competition. Alyssa failed to make it into the Top 14 Monday (April 16).

Katy Perry said the teen’s tone set her apart from every other singer on the ABC contest.

Luke Bryan said Perry had been Alyssa’s champion. “You didn’t have me until tonight,” Bryan told the teen.

Alyssa, of Indian and Guyenese heritage, replied that it had been her goal to impress Bryan.

“You’ve got it,” Lionel Richie told Raghu. “You’ve got your confidence. You’ve got everything. Just bring it to the table.”

In the duet portion of the competition, Alyssa sang Cold Play's "Yellow" with Banners. It was a curious song choice because it didn't seem to give her a chance to show off her vocal range and her performance lacked the emotional punch needed to impress the judges.

The first sign of trouble was the audience. No one was clapping along. The second sign something was wrong was that none of the judges stood up when she finished.

The judges comments were also not full of praise. "Just a few more notes the next time you sing," said her biggest fan Katy Perry.

"IThat didn't give me what you shine on," said Richie. 

"No matter what happens to you in this competition ..." said Bryan. "Just keep delivering your style, but also ... dig in."

In the end, Alyssa, from Orlando, Florida, was one of the five sent home.

She thanked her fans on her Twitter account:

Her fans are trying to bring her back into the competition by using the hastag #Savethesauce and "BringRaghuback. That probably won't happen unless one of the would-be American Idols drops out or kicked out for some reason or another.

RELATED: Listen to Alyssa Raghu's audition for American Idol

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Alyssa Raghu sings her way into 'American Idol's' Top 24

ALYSSA RAGHU

ALYSSA RAGHU advanced to the Top 24 after Monday night's American Idol cut down the contestants from the Top 50.

The 15-year old Indian/Guyanese/American from Orlando, Florida is enjoying her time in Hollywood as a competitor in the  reboot of the popular singing reality show, American Idol.

It gets tougher and tougher as all that's left are the top singers out of the thousands who auditioned. And, they are really, really good.

Although Alyssa's performance wasn't aired, she appears in this mashup put out by the show. Hopefully, she'll get more air time next week when the contestants are whittled down to the Top 14.

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Update on the Asian American contestants in reality shows

Skip to 1:05 to watch the 'Tacos" perform.

Alyssa Raghu

TWO DOWN, ONE LEFT.

It was a pretty bad week for Asian/Americans on television's reality shows.

Last week we said goodbye to  James Lim on Survivor, Angel Bonilla on The Voice. Alyssa Raghu is only remaining AAPI after singing solo and with a group in American Idol.

Singing solo in front of the American Idol judges, 16-year old Alyssa sang that old emotional standby and a bit cheesy "Wind Beneath My Wings," while the camera kept returning to her father who wiped away tears.

In the group performance, Alyssa lucked out and got in with a group of three other talented women Catie Turner, Victoria McQueen and Kyah Robinson. They performed Naughty Boy's & Sam Smith's "La-La-La." 

Alyssa, of Indo/Guyanese/Mexican heritage, was good enough for the Orlando, Florida teen to make it into the Top 50 remaining contestants and stay in Hollywood for the next round airing on Sunday and Monday on ABC, 8 p.m.

James Lim had the abs, but not the guile.

James, 24, didn't fare as well on Survivor as he got blind-sided and was sent home. 

The Los Angeles business analyst never really go a social game going although the producers made you think that he had done enough to win over a member of the opposing tribe. Fake out!

"I’m soaking in the pain and disappointment, but also all the love and support I’ve been getting as well," said James, who was continuously in the minority in every tribe swap. If you're a fan of the show, you know those initial tribe loyalties define the "allies" the rest of the game

Over on The Voice, Angel lost in the Battle Round where she was pitted against another singer, Gary Edwards. They combined on a cover of "When You Believe."

In the end, coach Adam Levine chose Gary as the winner of the battle. 

Angel, who is from the Philippines, was a winner in other ways. She was the first transgender contestant in the singing competition. She has moved to Los Angeles and is lining up gigs post-Survivor.

"I’ve learned a lot from Coach Adam; he is very hands on. I became a better performer and he thought me how to focus," she said of her experience. 

"And the experience also thought me how to be smart and alert in this industry. It’s not just talent. You have to be able to be smart with your branding and, most specifically, you have to be used to the word rejection. You will encounter a lot of this. I eat rejection for breakfast. I mix it in my cereal and it taste so-o-o good that it makes my body, soul and mind to be more driven."

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TGIF Feature: Alyssa Raghu covers Ariana Grande for her audition for American Idol 2018 ...

Alyssa Raghu at a 'watch' party at her high school.

IN THE revival of American Idol, one Asian/American teenager stood out above the rest.

Sixteen-year old Alyssa Raghu (Raghunandan) of Orlando, Florida wowed the judges - Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan.

When Alyssa Raghu auditioned on the American Idol premiere, each of the judges were blown away. She sang a rendition of 'Almost is Never Enough' by Ariana Grande and finished her audition in tears.

“I full-body felt what you were singing,” Katy Perry said. “You’re top ten.”

"I've always thought that she was special. She was always interested in music, I just saw that spark in her and just kept pushing her in that direction," said her father, Dennis Raghunandan.

American Idol judges just kicked off their search for the next big star, so it's hard to tell how good Alyssa's competition will be. 

Watch American Idol, Sundays on ABC. 8 p.m. EST.
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