“American Idol” judge Carrie Underwood breaks into tears during contestant's performance that 'made my mama heart so happy'
“American Idol” judge Carrie Underwood breaks into tears during contestant's performance that 'made my mama heart so happy'
Raechal ShewfeltTue, March 10, 2026 at 2:04 AM UTC
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'American Idol' judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke BryanCredit: Disney/Eric McCandless
American Idol contestant Keyla Richardson certainly charmed judge Carrie Underwood on Monday's episode.
Following the auditions, the remaining 30 contestants performed for Underwood and her fellow judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, as well as a substantial crowd during the reality competition's first Ohana Round. The idea is that, in addition to the judges, the contestant's performances are being assessed by their ohana — Hawaiian for family — as well as their peers and a selection of industry experts.
Richardson, a 29-year-old from Pensacola, Fla., had an advantage from the start, in the form of her young son Drew, who met the judges during her audition, with the song "Glitter in the Air" by Pink.
In the Ohana Round, she tackled "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri, with Drew watching the entire time, smiling, and mouthing along to the words.
Keyla Richardson competes on 'American Idol'Credit: Disney/Eric McCandless
Underwood was touched.
"To have the gift of watching you and getting to watch him," she said of Drew, as she got teary. "When I'm on stage and my boys are out there, I don't know what they're doing. And I feel like I just got a glimpse of what they might be doing when I'm on stage, and it just made my mama heart so happy. Your talent is limitless."
Drew wiped his eyes.
Underwood has two sons, 11-year-old Isaiah, and Jacob, 7, with husband Mike Fisher.
The "Before He Cheats" singer also gave supportive words to a couple of contestants whose performances took a wrong turn.
Sheldon Riley began crying during his rendition of Patrick Watson's "To Build a Home," noting that he hadn't had family around him in a long time. At the end of his performance, he even apologized to the audience
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"You have so much talent and power and range in your vocals," Underwood said. "I feel like your brain just gets in the way. I feel like you're kind of building up some walls in front of us every time you sing, but you don't need to do that. Because you're enough."
Underwood also encouraged contestant Chloe Lauren after she got lost in the words to Adele's "Hello."
"Keep going, keep going," the country music star said.
Bryan told the other judges that the contestant has to learn to control her emotions.
"You're here because we love your voice," Underwood said. "It is not about the little things that can go wrong during a performance. It really is how you shove it aside and finish strong. You got back on that horse and took off real quick. Way to finish strong."
The night's results, as chosen by each group, was revealed at the end of the episode: Jordan McCullough, peers; Brooks Rosser, family members; and Kyndal Inskeep, industry experts. The judges then stepped aside to select the 17 hopefuls that would move on in the competition.
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Richardson was among them, although the judges kept her waiting long enough; she was the last contestant named to be moving on to the top 20. Riley and Chloe did not make the cut.
American Idol airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
on Entertainment Weekly
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
