The race for the American Idol crown is officially down to the wire, but two contestants are already winning the hearts of the internet by staying true to their roots. Hannah Harper and Keyla Richardson have officially punched their tickets to the Top , and they are doing it with a spiritual perspective that has fans across social media cheering.
Following the high-stakes “Taylor Swift Night” on Monday, April , the duo sat down to reflect on a season that has allowed them to be unapologetically themselves. For these two singers, that means bringing a little bit of Sunday morning to the Monday night stage.
Sharing a Powerful Testimony
Earlier this season, the show hosted a “Songs of Faith Night,” a move that quickly trended on X (formerly Twitter) as viewers praised the uplifting atmosphere. Hannah, , took the stage with a moving rendition of Hillsong Worship’s “At the Cross,” while Keyla, , leaned into the soul-stirring “Jireh” by Elevation Worship and Maverick City.
“We both have grown up in church and had the opportunity to share our testimony, and it was nice to be able to have it on this platform,” Hannah exclusively told Us Weekly. “It was an honor.”
Keyla echoed that sentiment, noting that picking a song was the hardest part because of her deep connection to the genre. “I wanted everyone to worship with me,” she shared. “That’s my heart right there. That’s where I find myself in worship a lot of times. When they said ‘songs of faith,’ that was right up my alley.”
The Carrie Underwood Connection
It certainly helps to have a judge who understands the journey. Country superstar and former Idol winner Carrie Underwood, , has been a vocal supporter of the contestants. During the “Songs of Faith” festivities, Underwood even took the mic herself for a powerhouse performance of “How Great Thou Art,” reminding everyone why she is the reigning queen of the Idol stage.
The support from the judging panel, which also includes Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, has meant the world to the hopefuls. “I’m glad that we can be open about our faith,” Keyla told Us. “I’m glad that everybody is OK with it… I love God, and that’s who I love.”
Shaking It Off for Taylor Swift Night
While faith is their foundation, these ladies proved they can tackle any genre. On the most recent episode, the Top took on the discography of Taylor Swift. Keyla delivered a romantic, soulful version of “Lover,” while Hannah opted for the sassy, storytelling vibes of “Mean.”
“I think I knew which song I wanted as soon as I heard that we were going to do a Swifty night,” Hannah revealed, praising Swift’s ability to tell a story. Keyla added that she focused on making “Lover” her own, a move that clearly paid off with the voters.
The Road to the Finale
The tension was palpable as host Ryan Seacrest announced the results. Joining Hannah and Keyla in the elite Top are Chris Tungseth, Braden Rumfelt, and Jordan McCullough. Unfortunately, the journey came to an end for Maryland’s Brooks Rosser and Mississippi’s Daniel Stallworth.
As we head toward the grand finale on Monday, May , the conversation online is focused on the authenticity these contestants have brought to the season. Whether they are singing gospel or pop, Hannah and Keyla are proving that being a “closed book” is not an option when you have a message to share.
American Idol airs live on ABC Mondays at p.m. ET.
