Julia Gagnon from Cumberland is progressing on “American Idol,” advancing directly to the second stage of Hollywood Week with a platinum ticket. Gagnon, who closed out Sunday night’s auditions on ABC, delivered a stunning rendition of Aretha Franklin’s “Ain’t No Way,” impressing the judges. Luke Bryan hailed her as “one of the biggest voices this season,” a sentiment echoed by Ryan Seacrest.
Katy Perry remarked, “I loved that. Look, you’ve got several soul singers inside of you not just one. You could go really far. You could be Top 10.”
While approximately 150 contestants received golden tickets, securing their passage to the next round, Gagnon was one of just three individuals awarded platinum tickets, bypassing the subsequent phase of the competition.
Gagnon, a senior at the University of Southern Maine, has spent nearly her entire life in Maine. Born in Guatemala, she moved to the United States as a young child, settling with her adoptive family in Maine. Last summer, Gagnon clinched first place at Central Maine Idol.
Julia Gagnon is one of the biggest voices this season. That’s why she’s an #americanidol PLATINUM TICKET WINNER! Well deserved 👏🏻
— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) March 25, 2024
