2 AMERICAN IDOL FINALISTS JUST MADE MAJOR CAREER MOVESÂ
While the finale may be over, Hannah Harper and Keyla Richardson are proving their stories are just getting started.
New opportunities, growing momentum, and unexpected next steps are already putting both singers back in the spotlight.
 Fans are saying this is only the beginning.
Keyla Richardson, Hannah Harper make big moves after âAmerican Idolâ
âThereâs so many things thatâs in store, so much good news that I have for you. So much that I want you to stay tuned on,â Keyla Richardson said.
Pensacola became Pensakeyla for the past few months as the community rallied behind Florida native and gospel singer Keyla Richardson during her time on âAmerican Idol.â
Now that the showâs 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 showâs 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 showâs finale.
Whatâs 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 theyâre âgoing to be on the road a lotâ and maybe even seeing her face on some talk shows.
While she canât say yet what her plans are for the next few months, she doesnât think her schedule will allow her to continue teaching at Life Shifting Academy next school year.
âI love my students, Iâm always going to visit my studentsâŠtheyâre my kids. As far as right now, my schedule is so busy I donât see myself being able to even go back to the school and teach the kids,â Richardson said. âBut I can come back and maybe have a program; we can schedule that time.â
When her newest music is released, fans may even see her transition into a genre outside of gospel.
âIâve always sung gospel music, and now, Iâm just open to more. Iâm an inspirational person, and everybody just wonât come to where Iâm at, I have to go to where theyâre at. Thatâs how I think about it,â Richardson said. âIâm just not in the gospel lane anymore. Iâm in the country lane, Iâm in the pop lane, Iâm in the rock lane, the soul lane, you name it. I can do different kinds of stuff, but Iâm just really leaning toward popâŠIâm just a little bit of everything, I guess.â
Richardson had previously grown her career as a gospel artist, climbing the charts with original songs like âSo Good,â which placed No. 1 on Billboard Gospel Airplay in 2020 and was Richardsonâs soulful account of praise for Godâs 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 Richardsonâs Pensacola concert at the Saenger Theatre at 7 p.m. on July 25.
Watch all of Keyla Richardsonâs âAmerican Idolâ performances
Take a stroll down memory lane and watch all of Keyla Richardsonâs âAmerican Idolâ performances this season, beginning with her audition.
