Indo-Guyanese American Alyssa Raghu is back on American Idol
By AB Wire | March 18, 2019
That lovely American Idol contender from last season who taught America the easy way to pronounce her Indian surname Raghu — like Ragu in the pasta sauce — is back on the show and how!
Seventeen-year-old Indo-Guyanese American Alyssa Raghu participated in the contest last season and quickly went on to become a fan favorite. She made a dramatic entry on the all-new episode aired this Sunday, when she took judge Katy Perry by surprise.
Perry, who was one of Raghu’s most vocal supporters last season and fondly even called her “my sauce,” was stumped to hear Raghu singing Shark in the Water by VV Brown, as the other judged covered her face from seeing one of her most favorite contestants. Perry was able to quickly recognize Raghu by her voice and shrieked in excitement and disbelief, “My Sauce?”
Last year, Raghu created enough fan following both with her music and a vivacious on-stage personality. Her performance of Ariana Grande’s Almost is Never Enough catapulted the singer to instant fame while winning brownie points with the judges.
Raghu, who was born in Tucson, Arizona, and lives in Orlando, is of Guyanese Indian descent. She struck a relatable chord with many South Asian immigrants in America, when while introducing herself on the show, she announced to the judges that they can call her Raghu, as in the pasta sauce Ragu.
Eliciting instant laughs, the comment also showed how often first-generation immigrants have to deal with questions related to their names. But Raghu’s good humor stuck with the judges and Perry lovingly called her my sauce, or she’s got the sauce through the show.
Not only this, Ragu, the pasta sauce company, was quick to join the wit on board and sent the contestants Rahgu merchandise to support her journey through the show.
However, Raghu had to bow out of the show last year after not being able to make it to Top 14. But this season, the contestant, who has been homeschooling in order to focus on her singing career, is back with a bang.
Following her grand re-entry on the Idol stage, the singer wrote on her Facebook page: “THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH! Your support means the world to me. I appreciate all the kind words, I’m doing it for you guys. To everyone who watched, pushed me and spread positivity ♥️ Love you all.”
Music stalwarts are already celebrating Raghu’s return with Katy Perry tweeting later: “It’s the best when contestants really listen to our critiques and come back stronger. @alyssaraghu you did that! #americanidol”
Perry followed that with another tweet: “MY SAUCE IS BACK AND EXTRA SAUCEY!!!!”
Fellow judge Lionel Richie, too, tweeted: “OMG, YASSS The Sauce! … How could I forget the momentous return of this voice! @alyssaraghu #AmericanIdol”
If you win, Nehru will do seven days Katha. 