Mainer Julia Gagnon on Monday night advanced one step closer to winning this season of “American Idol” on ABC.
Gagnon, a 21-year-old Cumberland native and senior at the University of Southern Maine, advanced to the top 14 as one of the top ten vote getters from viewers. Another four contestants were also chosen by judges Lionel Ritchie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan to advance to the next round.
Gagnon sang the song “Need a Favor” by country rap performer Jelly Roll, who was a guest judge on an earlier episode this season.
The next round of episodes are set for April 21 and 22, and will feature Gagnon and the other remaining contestants performing songs from Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees on Sunday, and Billboard number one hits on Monday, resulting in a top ten. Voting will open on Sunday at americanidol.com/vote.
Gagnon has wowed the judges and “Idol” viewers with her powerful, multi-octave voice and soulful delivery, and won their hearts with her touching story of trying to make both her birth mother in Guatemala and adoptive mother in Cumberland proud.