Monmouth County resident Julia Santiago - or Julia Sienna on stage - booked her golden ticket to Hollywood on Monday night's episode of American Idol.

The 20-year-old Sea Girt police officer decided to pursue her vocal talents and managed to blow judges away during her audition, singing Connie Talbot's "I Would." But this wasn't Sienna's first time on stage. She graduated from Howell High School's Fine & Performing Arts Center and had previously received a "golden ticket" in Downtown Freehold's "Freehold Idol" in 2023.

Sienna also participated in "Rock It! Academy" at Count Basie in Red Bank and various summer intensives at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn.

After graduating high school, she worked toward a career in public service, now serving as a police officer along the Jersey shore.

Another New Jersey native, Jake Thistle, also secured his golden ticket.

The Rutgers alum sang a cover of "Can't Find My Way Home" by Blind Faith.

Thistle credits Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers as one of his biggest influences, and was once named "Rising Music Star" by The Boston Herald.