Pensacola became Pensakeyla for the past few months as the community rallied behind Florida native and gospel singer Keyla Richardson during her time on “American Idol.”
Now that the show’s over, Richardson hints where her career might take her next.
Richardson, a frontrunner in Season 24 of the reality singing competition, made it all the way to the show’s three-hour finale, ending her journey May 11 as second runner-up. Jordan McCullough was crowned runner-up later in the episode, and country singer Hannah Harper from Southeast Missouri took home the gold.
Check out what the Top 3 finalists are up to following the show’s finale.
What’s next for Keyla Richardson? Perhaps a genre shift
Since returning home, Richardson said she has been back in the studio working on music, with lots of opportunities for both her and her son, Drew, hinting that they’re “going to be on the road a lot” and maybe even seeing her face on some talk shows.
While she can’t say yet what her plans are for the next few months, she doesn’t think her schedule will allow her to continue teaching at Life Shifting Academy next school year.
“I love my students, I’m always going to visit my students…they’re my kids. As far as right now, my schedule is so busy I don’t see myself being able to even go back to the school and teach the kids,” Richardson said. “But I can come back and maybe have a program; we can schedule that time.”
When her newest music is released, fans may even see her transition into a genre outside of gospel.
“I’ve always sung gospel music, and now, I’m just open to more. I’m an inspirational person, and everybody just won’t come to where I’m at, I have to go to where they’re at. That’s how I think about it,” Richardson said. “I’m just not in the gospel lane anymore. I’m in the country lane, I’m in the pop lane, I’m in the rock lane, the soul lane, you name it. I can do different kinds of stuff, but I’m just really leaning toward pop…I’m just a little bit of everything, I guess.”
Richardson had previously grown her career as a gospel artist, climbing the charts with original songs like “So Good,” which placed No. 1 on Billboard Gospel Airplay in 2020 and was Richardson’s soulful account of praise for God’s goodness, rescuing her from even the darkest moments of life.
Keyla Richardson to perform Pensacola concert at Saenger Theatre
Tickets are still available on Ticketmaster for Richardson’s Pensacola concert at the Saenger Theatre at 7 p.m. on July 25.
Buy ‘Keyla Richardson’ tickets at Ticketmaster
Watch all of Keyla Richardson’s ‘American Idol’ performances
Take a stroll down memory lane and watch all of Keyla Richardson’s “American Idol” performances this season, beginning with her audition.
Where did Keyla Richardson place on ‘American Idol?’
Pensacola native Keyla Richardson ended her “American Idol” journey as a Top 3 finalist in the show’s three-hour finale on Monday, May 11, 2026.
Richardson placed third in the Season 24 finale, while Jordan McCullough was crowned runner-up later in the episode.
Fans can expect new music from ‘American Idol’ runner-up Jordan McCullough
Gold Derby asked “American Idol” Season 24 runner-up Jordan McCullough what life looked like for him after the show in an interview following the show’s live finale. Here’s what he said:
“I didn’t even know that this was in my future. It was always just a dream. Now that my dreams are coming true, I guess I better figure it out,” McCullough said. “But I definitely think that some music is on the way. I’m excited to keep performing live and who knows, maybe a tour with Lionel Richie or something. I don’t know. We’ll see what happens.”
Who won ‘American Idol’ 2026?
Hannah Harper made history May 11 during the “American Idol” Season 24 finale as the first female country singer to win the competition show since former contestant-turned-judge Carrie Underwood, according to USA TODAY.
Hannah Harper announces tour with ‘American Idol’ Season 10 alum
Hannah Harper is making big moves after winning Season 24 of “American Idol.”
Set to make her debut at Grand Ole Opry on June 2 in Nashville, Tennessee, Harper will then perform alongside Jordan McCullough, Keyla Richardson and some more fan-favorites on June 3 during CMA Fest Weekend, before beginning her “String Cheese” tour on June 5.
In October, Harper will join Season 10 runner-up Lauren Alaina‘s ‘Stages’ tour as the opening act. The recent “Idol” winner can be seen at tour dates in Springfield, Missouri, Little Rock, Arkansas, Columbia, Missouri, Lexington, Kentucky, and Cleveland, Ohio, according to TV Insider.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Keyla Richardson, Hannah Harper make big moves after ‘American Idol’
Reporting by Ashley Ferrer and Brittany Misencik, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Pensacola News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
