American Idol 2024: Julia Gagnon ends auditions on a high note, earns the LAST Platinum Ticket
American Idol Season 22 auditions came to a close Sunday night and ended on a high note with a lot of good singers including a platinum ticket winner. It was refreshing how many vocalists the show got through in the final night of auditions, and one singer especially impressed. That was Julia Gagnon. (Read our Recap)
Julia realized she was the last audition for Season 22 as she entered the audition room. She was raised in Cumberland, Maine, but born in Guatemala. Her current family adopted her from an orphanage at the age of two. “Growing up in Maine when I was younger was a dream come true,” however, she added, “When I entered the school systems it became different.” Kids bullied her because she didn’t look like them. Support from her loving family helped her get through a difficult time.
When she turned 18, she went to her dad looking for answers about her birth family. She stressed that “it has nothing to do with you, I just need to know.” In 2020, he hired an investigator who found them. Subsequently, her mom wrote her a letter, in which she “was apologetic.” Julia explained to the judges, “My birth mom, she knows I can sing; she said she would love to see me live to do something big.”
Julia nails iconic Aretha Franklin classic
For her audition, Julia attempted the tough task of performing Aretha Franklin’s “Ain’t No Way.” From the start, when she opened her mouth, she sang with a big soulful sound. Although she displayed a massive range, her rendition was very tasteful. She reeled back on runs and belts at the right times to make it a dynamic performance. Julia capped it off with an impressive held out note.
The judges applauded with a standing ovation. Lionel Richie asked, “did that come out of your mouth?” Julia replied humbly with “I think so.” Julia’s dynamics wowed Luke Bryan. Katy Perry said, “you’ve got several soul singers inside of you.” She declared Julia Top 10.
Lionel added, “I grew up with Aretha Franklin. There’s certain songs you just don’t sing because you can’t touch the original, and you just made it not only your song, but you did things that are just beyond.” Lionel rushed the vote, adding a resounding yes. Katy said yes for her birth mom, Sara. Luke said yes, for her adopted mother, Meg.
Julia Gagnon earns the third American Idol 2024 Platinum Ticket
After Julia got her Golden Ticket, she shared a moment with her adopted family. After a discussion among themselves, the judges joined the group outside the audition room. They take back Julia’s golden ticket and tell her how great her audition was, before handing her the third and final Platinum ticket. Julia is in shock. She is doing this for her birth mom Sara, and her entire family, she stated.
Julia was my top audition of the night, but returnee Jayna Elise showed off impressive vocals on Miley Cyrus’s “The Climb.” Australian, Jordan Anthony also did a remarkable job on Lewis Capaldi’s “Forget Me,” and Bethany Teague showed promise with an emotional rendition of Kelly Clarkson’s “Piece By Piece.” Honorable mentions go to country singer Cate Gartner who sang an original about her teen pregnancy, and Mia Matthews who auditioned with her sister Jacy, and showed loads of potential. Next week, its the Hollywood round featuring the Top 24 reveal on Monday.
