America’s votes are in for the “American Idol” Top 14, and tonight, Pensacola musician Keyla Richardson will learn if her journey will continue.

Last week, Richardson’s unique rendition of the famed Beatles song, “With A Little Help From My Friends,” left a big impression in the music industry, establishing Richardson as a show frontrunner. Celebrity judge Lionel Richie credited the performance as one of the best he has heard on the show.

While praised by judges and industry professionals, America’s votes will ultimately decide if Richardson moves forward in the competition.

How to watch season 24 of American Idol tonight

ABC airs “American Idol” at 7 p.m. CDT every Monday. If you don’t have cable, paid streaming platforms also show episodes in real time, such as YouTube TV, DirecTV, Fubo, Sling, Hulu + Live TV and more. If you missed it, the episode is then available to stream on Hulu the next day.

What’s next on American Idol?

After hearing all of the Top 20’s performances split across two episodes, America’s votes will determine the singers’ fate for the Top 14, which will be revealed on the March 30 episode.

Keyla Richardson’s musical journey started in Pensacola

Richardson has been singing almost her entire life, starting with singing gospel in Pensacola’s churches.

She went on to become a music teacher at Life Shifting Learning Academy on Pensacola Boulevard, where she’s been for about six years. She knows what it’s like to need someone to believe in you, and also importantly, to learn to believe in yourself. Now, she works to help young people develop their voices and gets to be the one who believes in them.

Now, when Richardson visits her students during the season, she is able to pass along lots of hugs and a few words of wisdom.

Keyla Richardson’s road to the Top 20

Richardson received her coveted golden ticket on “American Idol” after an emotional audition on the Season 24 premiere on Jan. 26, even bringing Bryan to tears with her soulful rendition of “Glitter in the Air” by P!nk. After three unanimous “yes” votes, the judges gave her the green light, clearing her way to Hollywood week.

Since Richardson’s audition was aired in episode one, Richardson wasn’t on-screen again until the start of Hollywood Week on Feb. 23, nearly a month after her debut.

There, Richardson continued to wow the judges, earning a standing ovation from her rendition of “I Won’t Give Up” by Jason Mraz.

Richardson’s performance earned her temporary safety in the “American Idol” Golden Room, exempting her from an initial round of cuts from the judges. The episode ended on a cliffhanger, leaving Richardson waiting with the other Golden Room recipients to learn whether she had landed a place in the show’s coveted Top 30.

Who’s still in the American Idol Top 20?

These are the singers who made the “American Idol” Top 20 for 2026:

• Jordan McCullough (platinum ticket)

• Brooks Rosser (platinum ticket)

• Kyndal Inskeep (platinum ticket)

What is American Idol about?

“American Idol” is a series known for “pioneering the music competition genre,” according to the “American Idol” website. The show features celebrity judges, including Carrie Underwood, a fourth-season American Idol winner. This year, Underwood joined judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie to listen to auditions across all genres as they assemble a group of competitors to move forward, with America determining their fate. The show is hosted by Ryan Seacrest, and while judges have come and gone, Seacrest has been with Idol since its 2002 debut.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: American Idol tonight how to watch Keyla Richardson Pensacola