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American Idol Season 24 is well underway, and fans are already establishing their favorite singers in the group. Keyla Richardson, a 29-year-old music teacher from Pensacola, Florida, completely blew the judges away with her Hawaii performance, with Lionel Richie dubbing her singing as the best he’s seen on the show. Here’s what to know about Richardson and how she went from a gospel finalist to a standout performer on American Idol.

Keyla Richardson has had a ‘long music journey’ before ‘American Idol’ Season 24

Keyla Richardson is known for her powerhouse voice on American Idol Season 24. Her performance of The Beatles’ “With a Little Help From My Friends” in Hawaii blew the judges away, with advisor Keke Palmer jumping for joy over the tune and Lionel Richie praising the singer for her soulful stage presence.

So, where is Richardson from? According to People, she’s a 29-year-old music teacher at Life Shifting Learning Academy from Pensacola, Florida, and she grew up singing in the church choir. She worked as a music teacher for about six years before auditioning for the reality TV singing competition. While she grew up singing in the church, she expressed how she never felt good enough to pursue her talents professionally.

During her audition, she told the judges, “I’ve had a long musical journey, but I never gave up. I just want to keep going and give it one more try.” She also brought her son, Drew, with her. He cheered her on as she sang Pink’s “Glitter In the Air” and wowed the judges.

According to Pensacola News Journal via Yahoo, Richardson got a big break in music in 2019 when she appeared on the gospel singing competition show, Sunday Best. She made it to the top four before facing elimination.

“With that type of platform, you’ve got the chance to really inspire young mothers and young people, just to let them know you can still be going through what you’re going through and still pursue your dreams,” Richardson said regarding performing on Sunday Best. “So, that platform let me speak to people in my own way. Let them know nothing can stop you.”

Additionally, she’s a verified Spotify artist with over 10,000 monthly listeners. In 2020, Richardson released the EP “So Good.” Her single of the same name reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart. Denzel Washington is also a fan, saying he listens to her EP every morning before going to work.

Music aside, Richardson has acting credits under her belt. She played Vicky Waters in the 2022 film Due Season alongside Vivica A. Fox. Richardson noted that she never expected to act.

Her performance of ‘With a Little Help From My Friends’ floored the judges

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Keyla Richardson’s performance of “With a Little Help From My Friends” wowed the American Idol judges like never before.

“I have never. I have never ever! I’ve been on American Idol since I was that big. I have never had any contestant walk out on this stage and tear the place up,” Lionel Richie reacted to Richardson’s performance, according to American Songwriter.

“The place got blown up. That Janis Joplin-sounding, Tina Turner-sounding. I don’t know who you are, but that right there was the greatest performance I have ever seen on this stage,” he continued. “That was ridiculous.”

Guest judge Keke Palmer also couldn’t stop raving about the performance.

“Lionel had to bring me back to life. He had to resuscitate me up in the place,” Palmer said. “The last time I’ve seen somebody make me feel like this and get people turned up like this, her name was Fantasia Barrino. And she won American Idol.”

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