Immediately following Tuesday night's show, many commenters and bloggers were speculating that the "little girl who cried" was "a plant" or an actress paid by either Sanjaya's family or the show's producers. Others surmised that she was merely one of the executive producer's kids or special guests getting some extra screen time.

Turns out she is 13-year-old Ashley Ferl from Riverside, California. Apparently, Ashley and her mom had gotten tickets for a taping of Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader. Their tickets allowed them to attend a dress rehearsal for Idol. Ashley began the waterworks during the rehearsals, was spotted by a producer, and was offered prime seats for Tuesday's show.