Wearing a police uniform, Freehold resident Julia Sienna walked directly toward country music icon Luke Bryan and placed handcuffs around his wrists.
The Sea Girt Police Department special officer declared that he was in violation: violation, that is, of Code Idol 26, a.k.a. giving too many “no”s to contestants of American Idol 2026.
This wasn’t a scene from a movie, but instead Sienna’s audition for the popular singing competition show, where Bryan is a judge. After belting out “I Would” by Connie Talbot, judge Carrie Underwood called her “representation of every woman” with “soft” and “pretty” notes to her voice. Judge Lionel Richie said she has a natural ability. Bryan, once freed, handed Sienna the Golden Ticket, welcoming her to Hollywood Week for another round of competition.
“Singing in front of those judges was nothing short of pure euphoria,” she recalled. “I’ve never felt more comfortable or confident in myself and my craft.
“Having the chance to perform for such well-known artists only deepened my desire to turn my passion into a reality. Seeing how far they’ve come in the music industry made me believe that if I can stand in front of them, I can one day stand in front of millions.”
Sienna spent several days in Nashville for the auditions last fall, going through pre-screens and multiple auditions before making the show. “I found out the week of when my episode was going to be out, and I was a nervous wreck — more nervous than I was when I went in for my audition,” she said.
The 20-year-old had to keep the secret from mostly everyone, with only her immediate family and best friend able to share in her Hollywood moment and daily endeavors. “Having those people who feel like home to me on this adventure and at least sharing my progress with them was enough for me,” she said, noting how eager and excited she was when she was finally allowed to share her journey with the rest of her family.
Although her Hollywood Week performance of “Rescue” by Lauren Daigle did not air and she was cut from the show after the round, she was inspired by the experience. “Being part of the show ignited an even bigger fire in me to keep pushing forward,” she said, noting she feels like she’s only just begun “to step into the dream” that she hopes to live one day.
Sienna’s love of music started early, back in first grade, when her mom enrolled her in vocal lessons. Although the classes were eventually interrupted because of the COVID pandemic, she took what she learned from her vocal coaches and applied it to her everyday rehearsals.
“Music has been the one constant in my life, and I have devoted myself to so many different versions within it,” she said.
She had a role in every school musical from fourth grade through her freshman year of college.
She auditioned and trained with Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn as part of their Conservatory and Intensive summer programs; and as part of Howell High School’s a capella team Rebelation, where she won Outstanding Soloist at the International Championship of A Capella for high school in 2022 and 2023.
She was a member of the church choir at St. Rose of Lima with Janos Major, whom she calls “a great musical mentor.”
“He always told me that my voice was a force to be reckoned with and I was a powerhouse. Of course, at such a young age, I didn’t know what he meant and assumed he just thought I was a loud kid – but as I got older I started to realize just what he meant,” she laughed.
Over the years, Sienna has sung the National Anthem at many local events. In April, she sang it for the Jersey Shore BlueClaws. “It was exciting to sing such a meaningful song in front of an even larger audience. Moving forward, I definitely would love to perform the anthem at more sporting events and public gatherings across the East Coast, including for franchises such as the Devils, the Knicks, and the Giants.”
Also a guitar player, she looks to Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Ariana Grande, and Adele for inspiration – “all powerhouse vocalists who I grew up listening to, and felt like I was put in a trance every time I heard their unique voices and tones,” she said.
Though Sienna still dreams of Hollywood, her roots are firmly planted in Freehold. She has lived in town her whole life. She attended Joseph J. Catena Elementary, Eisenhower Middle School, and then Howell High School for the Fine and Performing Arts Magnet Program.
She and her family still get sushi every Friday from Oyako Tso’s in Downtown Freehold, a tradition they’ve continued since she was a child. She also loves the food at Bahia de Acapulco, “the best Mexican food around.”
Although she is now focusing on a single and an EP — “I’m incredibly excited to share my songwriting and artistic vision with the world,” she said — she has always had “a fire inside” to help others and bring people together.
Originating with the Marlboro Police Cadets in eighth grade, Sienna said, “I was able to work alongside the community and my love for law enforcement basically grew from there.”
“Being able to dive deeper within the Sea Girt Police Department has just shown me a greater love for this career than I had thought,” she said.
