Fan favorite Alyssa Raghu wasn’t crowned the season 17 winner of “American Idol,” but she’s not letting that stop her from taking her career to the top and inspiring others . The 17-year-old is using her voice to help others and make a positive impact wherever she can.
By: Heather Newgen | Twitter: @hnvoluntourist
Alyssa Raghu wowed America when she returned for a second time to the “Idol” stage. The singer fell short of making it to the Top 14 last season, but came back for another shot at winning the competition. This time she made it to the Top 10 and although fans expected her to go all the way, she has nothing but great things to say about her experience on the show.
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 25: Acclaimed actor Dennis Haysbert and American Idol Season 17 finalist Alyssa Raghu backstage at the 2019 National Memorial Day Concert - Rehearsals at U.S. Capitol, West Lawn on May 25, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Capital Concerts Inc.)
[Being on “Idol”] “changed me a lot, but in the best ways possible. I can be myself. I can breathe easy and go throughout this music industry kind of understanding what it’s about. I’m not going in blindly and I think “Idol” has really helped me in that sense. It’s given me a platform to really voice who I am. Ever since I was 15 I just wanted to be heard.”
She continued, “I want to tell people that it’s okay to fail. It’s okay to fail because it’s actually not failure. The only failure you have is not getting back up at the end of the day. You need to keep going. It is hard. You will cry on the floor, but it’s all worth it in the end.”
One of her first gigs since the reality show is singing the National Anthem at the 30th Anniversary of the PBS National Memorial Day Concert in DC where she said she expressed excitement over the invitation to perform.
“When I was asked I was surprised. I know that yes, I’m a singer and I was on “American Idol,” but at the same time they asked me to do this before the winner was announced. They asked for me and that meant so much,” she told The Voluntourist.
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 25: American Idol Season 17 finalist Alyssa Raghu performs at the 2019 National Memorial Day Concert - Rehearsals at U.S. Capitol, West Lawn on May 25, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Capital Concerts Inc.)
She added, “I love giving back in any way possible, but this is quite a personal thing for me and my family. My dad was in the air force and my grandpa was in the army. This whole thing has been important to us. The fact that I’m here and I’m singing, at a show that we’ve seen endless times, that’s really great.”
When she not touring, the teen is busy giving back in her local community.
“I do a lot of charity events locally in Orlando. There’s a bunch of charities that are always looking for me to do something. There’s one event I’m doing on June 1st it’s called Make them Smile for kids with disabilities. It’s going to be a super fun event. I’m going to be giving them an hour or two hour concert. It’s important for me to give back, although it’s quote selfish of me to say, I love the feeling of it. Making someone smile, seeing their face light up after something terrible has happened and I can help them a bit, it really helps me. I thank God, God has blessed me with so many different skills I can help this charity. These people are angels.”
So what’s next for the Florida native?
Superstar Katy Perry and “Idol” judge gave advice she’s taking to heart.
“She said move to LA and do not stop working hard because the moment you stop is the when the ball stops rolling. It’s all about exposure and the show has done that for me and I can’t thank them enough. But Katy was like, “Well you didn’t win the show, but so be it. You still have this entire gift so you better work it girl. I’m like, “Yeah you’re so right!”
To see Raghu perform the National Anthem, watch the 2019 National Memorial Day Concert on Sunday, May 26 at 8/7c on PBS.