CUMBERLAND, Maine — Cumberland's Julia Gagnon was recently voted into the "American Idol" Top 7 in this season's competition. She gained lots of fans along the way, especially here in Maine—and now she's planning a summer tour across the state.
"I will be touring Maine this summer and cannot WAIT to meet everyone and spread the love throughout Maine," Gagnon wrote in a social media post, adding that the tour is called the "Here in Maine" tour.
The many comments on her post included one from Sen. Angus King, I-Maine.
"That’s fantastic news! - Team Angus," the senator's official Facebook account commented.
Gagnon, 22, said tour dates would be announced soon.
North Yarmouth Academy teacher Shannon Gallagher taught Gagnon, who's an NYA alum. When Gallagher saw her former student get the opportunity of a lifetime on "American Idol," she took it upon herself to enlist more fans. Now, Gallagher's second-grade students are more like "superfans."
"We always knew that she would be a star and now the whole world is seeing that," Gallagher said. "It’s just been really, really awesome and inspiring to watch her grow, and I’m just really proud of her."
Gagnon's voice coach, Jaye Gagnon, said watching her earn her ticket to Hollywood and perform on the "American Idol" stage every week has been "surreal."
"You can see she’s humble, and I think it’s just so refreshing," Jaye Gagnon said.