American Idol contestant tearfully apologizes to Katy Perry after singer's comments

An American Idol contestant tearfully apologized to Katy Perry after she was called out for her behavior during the Hollywood Duets round.

Nutsa Buzaladze, 25, has made it into the Top 26 of the singing contest this season, having managed to make it through to the next round – despite earlier dramas.

The contestant, from Georgia, had been paired with Carina DeAngelo for a duet, but as they went in front of the judges, it seemed their partnership hadn’t gone too smoothly.

“We had a couple of issues last night,” DeAngelo said.

“Some people wanted to instead of working.”

ABC

Given that she was stood with just one other person on stage, it was clear who ‘some people’ referred to.

Judge Katy Perry then asked: “She went to sleep while you were rehearsing?”

A sheepish-looking Buzaladze was speechless as her fellow hopeful called her out, before Perry told her: “Nutsa, don’t forget about grace.”

ABC

Speaking to the cameras, Buzaladze said the incident ‘really hurt’ her, adding: “How can you do that to someone?"

But after some time to reflect on what happened, she returned to the judges to apologize.

Heading into the judges’ room to find out she’d made it through to the next round, Buzaladze turned to Perry to explain what happened.

“I wanted to tell my side of the story and I felt so bad I was frozen,” she said.

“I didn’t want to bring negative energy so that’s why I didn’t say nothing. I didn’t speak up because I didn’t want to cry on stage. But after I left the stage I was just destroyed. So I wanted to apologize for that.”

ABC

The apology landed well, with Perry saying Buzaladze clearly had a ‘big heart’ - and that she’s even someone she relates to.

She said: “That’s so wonderful, and Nutsa, what I meant about grace is that it’s OK to be determined and ambitious and edgy and strong but also with grace.

ABC

“I really relate to you because I know what it means to be a strong woman, to want to be strong and to never break and to never feel like anything can ever get to me, but that’s not real. I think that they’re seeing that you’re a real person with a big heart and a big talent.”