Luke Bryan was stunned by the transformation Julia Gagnon made from her audition to winning a spot in the show’s Top 20 on Sunday’s episode of American Idol.
‘We think about how you weren’t believing in yourself in the audition and how you came so far, gaining confidence to stand up here and do this, from the Central Maine talent show to top 20!’ Luke, 47, said. ‘Congratulations.’
Julia, a 21-year-old college student from Cumberland, Maine, cried when she learned she won the last spot in the Top 20 at the end of the three-hour episode on ABC.
She revealed that she never felt like she fit in when she was growing up and was shocked when her town rallied around her and even threw a watch party in her honor.
Julia sang I Believe by Fantasia and burst out crying when she finished and the crowd chanted her name.
Luke Bryan was stunned by the transformation Julia Gagnon made from her audition to winning a spot in the show’s Top 20 on Sunday’s episode of American Idol on ABC
‘That was amazing!’ host Ryan Seacrest , 49, said.
‘I guess it looks like America believes that you belong,’ Katy Perry, 39, said. ‘I really love what you gave us, that heartfelt delivery and especially that falsetto. ‘
‘Anything can happen if you believe,’ Lionel Richie, 74, said. ‘We are so proud of you.’
The emotional episode in which the Top 20 were revealed after the results of viewer voting also featured performances from Teddy Swims, Paul Russell, and Idol alum Lauren Spencer-Smith.
Jack Blocker, 25, from Nashville, was the first contestant to make the Top 20. He took the stage and sang Jim Croce’s song You Don’t Mess Around with Jim.
‘You did very well tonight,’ Lionel said.
Mia Matthews, 19, from Centre, Alabama, was the next Top 20 finalist announced. She performed Lainey Wilson’s hit Wildflowers and Wild Horses while playing the guitar.
‘Not to sound corny but I think you found your roar!’ Katy said.
Julia sang I Believe by Fantasia and burst out crying when she finished and the crowd chanted her name
Julia, a 21-year-old college student from Cumberland, Maine, cried when she learned she won the last spot in the Top 20 at the end of the three-hour episode on ABC
She earlier revealed that she never felt like she fit in when she was growing up and was shocked when her town rallied around her and even threw a watch party in her honor
‘I guess it looks like America believes that you belong,’ Katy Perry, 39, said. ‘I really love what you gave us, that heartfelt delivery and especially that falsetto’
Mackenzie Sol, 23, a TikTok star known for his funny videos, from Las Vegas, was shocked when he heard his name announcing that he made it to the next level. He wowed the judges playing the piano while singing Lady Gaga’s I’ll Never Love Again.
‘You feel like a guy that I want to cheer for,’ Luke said.
Roman Collins, 24, a worship leader from Long Beach, California, was the next contestant in the Top 20. He sang Never Would Have Made it by Marvin Sapp and Lionel was blown away.
‘I have never in my American Idol history seen the American Idol children, congregation act like this before!’ Lionel said. ‘God has a plan for you!’
Kennedy Reid, 23, a mortician from New Albany, Indiana, was called next. Kennedy said she got a lot of hateful comments over her appearance on the show. She changed her look and said she wanted to take her power by singing The Judds song Love Can Build A Bridge.
‘The sad part about putting yourself out there in this world of entertainment is people do that, and it’s taken all of us years to learn how to shrug that off,’ Luke said. ‘You got a dose of that and you are going to prove everyone else wrong the rest of your life.’
Teddy Swims, wearing a pink suit and strawberry earring, performed his hit song Lose Control. Teddy said he was impressed with Ajii, 27, who works at a nursing home in Brooklyn, who auditioned with one of his songs.
Ryan then announced that Ajii was moving on to the top 20. Ajii performed Like A Stone by Audioslave.
‘Great job, lots of energy,’ Luke said.
The top 20 gathered for a group photo
Jennifer Jeffries, 18, from Starkville, Mississippi, found out she was moving on next. She sang Grave Digger by Matt Mason while playing her guitar.
‘You did great!’ Lionel said.
Emmy Russell, 25, from Nashville, was the next to make the Top 20. She sang her original song called Want You that brought Ryan to tears. Luke went on stage to hug Ryan when Ryan jokingly jumped on him.
‘Still trying to get over Ryan’s…,’ Luke said.
‘Legs wrapped around you?’ Katy said.
‘Yeah, well, so it’s the most expensive thing I’ve ever held,’ Luke said. ‘Back on track, that was so you.’
Triston Harper, 15, a high school student from McIntosh, Alabama, was the next contestant to move on. He sang his original song called HOPE.
‘How do you get that much talent in a 15-year-old?’ Luke said. ‘It’s truly remarkable watching you.’
Platinum ticket winner Odell Burton Jr., 28, an airport security worker from Austin, Texas, moved on to the show’s top 20 and sang the Teddy Swims hit The Door.
‘I think I’m retiring that song from my set, baby,’ Teddy said to him after his cover. ‘You got that, baby.’
‘Congratulations, you killed it,’ Lionel said.
Kayko, a songwriter and producer from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, moved on next and sang his original song called Over You.
‘You’re going to be a megastar!’ Katy said. ‘I’m excited for the next five years of your life. I’m going to go see you on tour.’
Kayko, a songwriter and producer from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, advanced and sang his original song called Over You
Jordan Anthony, 19, from Perth, Australia, was told he moved on, too. He performed the Billie Eilish song When the Party’s Over while playing the piano.
‘That was one of my favorite performances of the evening,’ Katy said. ‘I was on the edge of my seat and it was a great ride.’
Quintavious, 22, a vocal coach and worship leader, from Franklin, Tennessee, was picked next. He sang Tori Kelly’s song Hollow.
‘You are electric!’ Lionel said. ‘That was amazing!’
Kaibrienne ‘KB’ Richins, 20, from Henefer, Utah, was told she made the top 20. She sang her original song Girl I Am Now.
‘You got us on that performance!’ Lionel said.
Paul Russell took the stage and performed his hit Lil Boo Thang and had the audience dancing along.
Nya, 28, a Broadway performer from New York City, who also made it to the Top 20 dedicated her performance of Georgia On My Mind to her father who passed away. The judges gave her a standing ovation.
‘That was an undeniable performance!’ Lionel said. ‘That was incredible.’
Jordan Anthony, 19, from Perth, Australia, was told he moved on and performed the Billie Eilish song When the Party’s Over while playing the piano
Quintavious, 22, a vocal coach and worship leader, from Franklin, Tennessee, sang Tori Kelly’s song Hollow after making the Top 20
Kaibrienne ‘KB’ Richins, 20, from Henefer, Utah, was told she made the top 20 and sang her original song Girl I Am Now
Paul Russell took the stage and performed his hit Lil Boo Thang and had the audience dancing along
Nya, 28, a Broadway performer from New York City, who also made it to the Top 20 dedicated her performance of Georgia On My Mind to her father who passed away
Jayna Elise, 22, from Washington, D.C., was told she made it next. She sang My All by Mariah Carey.
‘My dear, you have a career,’ Lionel said.
Abi Carter, 21, from Indio, California, was told she made the cut. She sang Welcome to the Black Parade by My Chemical Romance dedicating the song to her grandparents she lost. The judges gave her a standing ovation.
‘That felt like we were at your concert,’ Luke said.
Idol alum Lauren Spencer-Smith took the stage and sang her original song Fingers Crossed. Lauren, who competed on the show when she was only 16, said she was now working on her second album.
The next member of the top 20 was Will Moseley, 23, from Hazlehurst, Georgia. He said that he was shocked that his original song he auditioned with went to number two in the iTunes country chart. He then performed Drake White’s song Makin’ Me Look Good Again.
‘It was perfect,’ Luke said.
McKenna Faith Breinholt, 25, an esthetician, from Gilbert, Arizona, was told she was moving on after recently meeting her birth family.
Jayna Elise, 22, from Washington, D.C., sang My All by Mariah Carey after making the Top 20
Abi Carter, 21, from Indio, California, was told she made the cut and sang Welcome to the Black Parade by My Chemical Romance
Idol alum Lauren Spencer-Smith took the stage and sang her original song Fingers Crossed
The next member of the top 20 was Will Moseley, 23, from Hazlehurst, Georgia
McKenna Faith Breinholt, 25, an esthetician, from Gilbert, Arizona, was told she was moving on and performed again
McKenna, who performed in bare feet, sang Joni Mitchell’s song Both Sides Now while playing the piano.
‘I’ve known Joni, Joni Mitchell a long time and she would be so proud that you took her song and made it into your song,’ Lionel said. ‘It was so touching.’
Blake Proehl, 25, a former pro football player, from Charlotte, North Carolina; Hailey Mia, 16, a high school student from Clifton, New Jersey; KBlocks, 27, a cook from Montgomery, Alabama, and Elleigh Marie Francom, 20, who first auditioned when she was 16, from Utah, did not make the cut and were eliminated.
American Idol will return Monday on ABC when the Top 14 will be revealed.
