American Idol 2026: Keke Palmer Praises Keyla Richardson and Likens Her to Fantasia
Week 2 of the American Idol Season 24 Top 20 Hawaii Round at Disney’s Aulani Resort continued with another 10 singers taking the stage for a chance in the top 14. Brad Paisley and Keke Palmer returned as mentors along with Keke returning as a guest judge. It was the final performer of the night, 29 year old Keyla Richardson, that truly moved Keke to tears.
The Pensacola, Florida, teacher’s son Drew, who, the show has heavily featured supporting his mom this season, was there for the Ohana round. But afterward he went home for school. Keyla is a big fan of Keke. For her song, she is singing “With A Little Help From My Friends,” and she shares with Brad and Keke that she chose the song during a time of confusion. “God had to place friends around me that had to really help me. They were destiny helpers,” she stated. Keke responded that the singer’s voice “felt so truthful.” The mentor is brought to tears as she embraces Keyla in a hug. “You’re embodying spirit through song,” Keke said. Brad called her a “perfect singer.”
Keyla begins the song gently hitting some of the runs with the little bit of twang that she has in her tone. The song is full of adlibbing, and churchy moments that truly allow her to hit her stride vocally. After tackling several pop songs to open the competition, this is the perfect segway into her displaying more Gospel. She even hits some growls that sound a bit rock ‘n roll which intrigues me for the future Rock and Roll Hall of Fame round if she makes it that far. She truly lets it rip at the end with a roaring finale. It’s powerful and the perfect ending to the Hawaii round.
“I have never had any contestant walk out on this stage and tear the place up.”
“People have come out to their balconies at the hotel,” Ryan Seacrest reveals. Lionel Richie is at a loss for words, “I have never had any contestant walk out on this stage and tear the place up.” He compares Keyla to Janis Joplin and Tina Turner. He goes even further, and it all feels a bit hyperbolic, but he declares, “That’s the greatest performance I’ve ever seen on the stage.” Keke is full of excitement as she says, “The last time I seen somebody make me feel like this and get people turned up like this, her name was Fantasia Barrino.” Carrie Underwood states that “It just flows out of you.” Luke Bryan recalls the singing lessons he gave her in the auditions, and questions, “Why did you let me do that?”.
The praise is well deserved albeit over the top. It will be interesting if the hype turns into more votes or if it backfires. Either way, Keyla is extremely talented.
Other performances that had me in awe for Night 2 in Hawaii were Rae’s “Respect” as she continued to prove to be one of the best vocalists of the season, and Chris Tungseth’s reimagined “Apologize” had me wondering if he is a dark horse. Julian Kalel storytelling “Tourniquet” showed that he is another one to watch out for. Jordan McCullough’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” made for a stunning opening. All in all, it was a great night!
