Keyla Richardson; Photo Courtesy of American Idol via ABC

Keyla Richardson, a 29-year-old single mother, gospel singer, and music teacher from Pensacola, Florida, delivered a powerful and emotionally charged audition on American Idol, earning high praise from the Idol judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan.

Before stepping into the audition room, Richardson opened up about her journey and the driving force behind her continued pursuit of music: her son Drew. Richardson has been a music teacher for six years and admitted that she often sees her younger self reflected in the children she teaches, kids with talent who just need someone to believe in them.

“When those kids step into the class, I see myself a lot of times. I grew up in the church, grew up singing, but I just felt like I wasn’t good enough. Nobody saw me, nobody heard me. I had to make up in my mind like, you can do this. Whatever you put your mind to do, you can do it. My son means the world to me. He’s all I got. He’s my best friend,” Richardson shared with Idol producers.

Her young son, who was proudly standing next to her, returned the love with a heartfelt message of his own in the clip. “It is just been me and her for most of my life. She’s the best mom in the world. She deserves everything!” he said.

Richardson replied, “You’re the reason I’m here today and why Mommy’s going to keep going,” before continuing, “Because of him, I’m here, and I will never give up. I’m raising a young man. I’m a single mother by myself.”

Keyla Richardson and Son Drew; Photo Courtesy of American Idol via ABC

As she entered the Idol audition room, she was greeted by the Idol judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan. Standing in front of the star-studded panel of judges, Keyla Richardson opened up about her determination to keep pushing forward on her long road to success.

“I had a long musical journey, but I never give up, so I just want to keep going and give it one more try,” Richardson told the judges. Throughout her journey thus far, she has already achieved some very notable career moments as a gospel singer. Keyla Richardson previously appeared on season nine of BET’s gospel competition show, Sunday Best, where she placed in the final four. After the show, Richardson was able to claim her first-ever chart-topping hit on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart for her single, “So Good.” She also starred in the 2022 film, Due Season, acting as character Vicky Waters alongside 61-year-old actress Vivica A. Fox.

Keyla Richardson on American Idol

For her American Idol audition, Keyla Richardson chose a soaring and emotional cover of “Glitter In The Air” by P!nk. Donning a black and gray leather ensemble, the 29-year-old contestant allowed her powerhouse vocals to shine as she belted out the lyrics to the iconic pop song with just a piano instrumental.

“Have you ever fed a lover with just your hands?/ Close your eyes and trust it, just trust it/ Have you ever thrown a fist full of glitter in the air?/ Have you ever looked fear in the face/ And said I just don’t care?” Richardson sang, showcasing her soaring vocals.

“Dang!” Underwood said with a smile before offering her some advice. “If there’s one thing I could tell you is that sometimes, just let it breathe a little bit.”

Lionel Richie added, “I can imagine you on some songs where you would just blow the roof off of this place because of the range. Now is how much you don’t give us… what Carrie said is correct.”

Luke Bryan then requested that the pianist play the chorus once more. “What’s the lyrics to the first line in that chorus? Will you roll her into that and let me hear you sing that one more time, and I’m going to give you one little thing?” Bryan asked. “Let’s see if she does that lick again.”

Richie and Bryan then swooned over her vocals, reminiscent of Alicia Keys, as her son Drew Himothy entered the room to witness her fate on the show.

Underwood said, “Did you hear your mom? Did you hear how great she did? You know we love her.”

Luke Bryan Crying on American Idol

“You see what your mama made me do?” Bryan then gushed, referencing the tears streaming down his cheek. “Oh man. When you felt confident the way you just sang that with confidence, you have a voice that will make people stop in their tracks.”

Richardson’s jaw-dropping vocal performance earned her three “yes” votes and a golden ticket to Hollywood Week, which will take place in Music City this year.

Underwood asked Richardson’s son if he can sing, to which he said, yes, and offered to sing “God Only Knows” for her. “My pride and joy right here, this is I do it for. I’m going to do it for him,” Richardson exclaimed.

After Keyla Richardson exited the room, Luke Bryan admitted, “that may have been one of my favorite moments I’ve ever had on this show.”

The Season 24 premiere of American Idol aired Monday, January 26 at 8/7c on ABC and will be available to stream on Hulu. New episodes will continue to air every Monday at 8/7c.