American Idol: Luke Bryan congratulates Julia Gagnon, 21, for stunning ... trends now

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.

'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.

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.

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

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