Mainer Julia Gagnon survived the first round of elimination for this week’s “American Idol” broadcast to make it into the top 12 for the show’s 22nd season.
Gagnon, a Cumberland native and University of Southern Maine student, sang Whitney Houston’s “Run to You” on the Sunday episode, in a show themed to members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This year’s inductees to the Rock Hall were also announced on the show that night.
Gagnon’s mentor for the episode was Gene Simmons from the band KISS. Gagnon chose Houston’s song from “The Bodyguard” soundtrack and wore a glamorous red dress for the performance.
“When I was growing up, I didn’t see many people who looked like me, kind of glammed up and singing about love, and I wasn’t sure if I would ever have something like that,” she said.
The top 12 will perform Billboard number one hits for Monday’s broadcast, and another two contestants will be eliminated. Voting for the Monday episode has already ended. The show airs at 8 p.m. on ABC.
