San Antonio drag queen Ada Vox makes the 'American Idol' top 24

Ada Vox from San Antonio is a top 24 contestant on American Idol. Ada Vox from San Antonio is a top 24 contestant on American Idol. Photo: Eddy Chen/ABC Photo: Eddy Chen/ABC Image 1 of / 45 Caption Close San Antonio drag queen Ada Vox makes the 'American Idol' top 24 1 / 45 Back to Gallery

Gentlemen, start your engines. Because the best woman just may be Ada Vox.

The San Antonio drag queen, whose birth name is Adam Sanders, advanced to the "American Idol" top 24 during Monday night's episode.

"I finally became something that I was proud of, and in that I developed Miss Ada," Sanders said. "She taught me that I don't have to be afraid of who I am."

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Vox now moves on to another round of solo performances, superstar duets and, hopefully, the top 14, where America's vote kicks in.

He wowed a live audience and the judges with a stunning rendition of Radiohead's "Creep."

During the final judgment, Sanders met the judges out of drag.

"I think it's time for the judges to see what's under all the makeup, what's under all the hair," he said.

Lionel Richie said "it took a lot of guts to do this journey the way you're doing it." Katy Perry called Sanders "so beautiful inside and out."

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Luke Bryan went further, telling Sanders he had "one of the biggest voices on planet Earth."

Sanders previously auditioned during Season 12, making it to the top 50 before getting cut. He says that was followed by relentless online bullying about his appearance and sexuality.

But this finally seems like Vox's time to shine.

"All I'm hoping is that being on Ada on 'American Idol' will show the world that someone like me can truly be an idol for America," he said.

This is the furthest a contestant in drag has ever made it on the show. Danny Noriega was top 24 during Season 7 and only later became drag superstar Adore Delano, who went on to compete on "RuPaul's Drag Race."