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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Transgender Filipina makes history on NBC's 'The Voice'

Angel Bonilla made it through the Blind Auditions of 'The Voice.'

A LITTLE BIT of history was made last March 5 when The Voice had its first transgender contestant sing for a spot in the competition.

Angel Bonilla, a 31-year old Filipina/American, sang an emotional version of the Sam Smith track “Lay Me Down.” That was enough for three-time winning coach Adam Levine to turn his chair around and asked her to join his team fon the next round of the competition.

“As early as five years old, I already knew that I am a girl trapped in a boy’s body,”Bonilla told host Carson Daly. “Growing up in a very conservative family, it was very difficult for my father.”

“When my dad saw me as a girl for the first time, he was puzzled," she continued. "He’s not sure if I am his son, but he embraced me. I promised him that I will do great things. I wanted my father to be proud of me, and I’m doing this to honor him.”

According to her Voice bio, by the time she was 16-years old, Angel had transitioned into a beautiful young woman, and her family moved to the United States a few years later. Angel currently lives in Los Angeles, pursuing her dreams.

It's not the first time she's been in the spotlight. Bonillal also competed on Season 1 of The X Factor where she made it to Boot Camp with a cover of "Killing Me Softly." Earlier, she competed in Bulgaria's Discovery International Pop Song Festival.

Now she's on The Voice.

"The Voice is a great platform," she said. "I will be judged by my voice for the first time in my life! In most cases I am judged by my gender first, before I sing. And also I'd like to represent the trans community. I want to encourage my fellow sisters(transgender) to fight for their dreams."

The Voice airs on NBC Mondays and Tuesdays, 8 p.m. EST.

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