Montgomery native Lady K’s journey on “American Idol” came to an end Sunday night.
“We did great,” Lady K wrote to fans after the episode, where she, Emyrson Flora and Mike Parker were eliminated. “This entire journey was the best blessing of my life.”
During the episode, Lady K said she was grateful for thechance tomake her family proud. Theydefinitely are, and have memories of Lady K to share from when she was little Kezia Istonia.
Dorothy Garrett, Lady K's great aunt, was one of dozens of family, friends and fans who turned out in Montgomery at the Cramton Bowl Multiplex for the city's official "American Idol" watch party.
"She's been singing ever since she was three years old," Garrett said.
Charles Brown, Lady K's grandfather, carries a photo of Lady K everywhere he goes. It's of her at 8, singing into a karaoke machine that he'd brought her.
"She was energetic, and she was a go-getter," Brown said. "She liked a challenge."
A pair of Lady K's 5th-grade teachers from Highland Avenue Elementary, Ira Stallworth and Ruth Hooks, certainly agreed about the energy part. They said classrooms frequently became performance opportunities for Lady K.
"She loved to sing, and I would let her sing sometimes," Stallworth said."I’d let her get it out of her system, because she could sing. Then I’d say to sit back and go do your work."
"She would sing to get out of anything," Hooks said.
Stallworth also remembers Lady K's standout performance singing"Amazing Grace" during a 6th-grade play.
"She was a star back then," said Kareem, a friend of Lady K's and her 6th grade teacher. "Idol" fans got glimpses of him in both Hawaii and at Disneyland this season.One of his favorite memories of her as an 11-year-oldwas from a school performance ofthe "Diary of Anne Frank."
"Her voice was so amazing and spectacular that we turned it into a musical," Kareem said.
Former Highland Avenue principal Pat Kornegay called Lady K their school's songbird, but said there was something else she admired Lady K for even more.
"I called her a little mother hen because she took care of her siblings,"Kornegay said."Everywhere they would be, she would check on them. In the afternoon, she’d collect them to go home."
Lady K and her siblings were raised by a single mother, and they faced many challenges through the years.
"Kezia’s done been through a lot of stuff," Brown said."Toward her siblings, several times she’s tried to play their mother role, instead of going on with her career."
The career time is now. Kareem, who had a chance to video chat with Lady K before the live show began,said thelong journey has made hera true independent artist.
"She writes and she raps," Kareem said. "She knows music backward and forwards. She appreciates the melodies, the tones. She takes the time to give the music its proper respect."
Recap of Sunday's Disney Night
After an adventure a few days before in Disneyland, the "American Idol" Top 10 performed songsfrom Disney movies, including a group number "We Don't Talk About Bruno" from "Encanto."
Lady K sang "How Far I'll Go" from the "Moana,"a deeply personal piece. She'd previously told the Advertiser that she feels a connection to Moana's character,because both have been on personal journeys to discover themselves.
“I kind of got a little bit overwhelmed during my performance,” Lady K said.
Lady K's song drew rave reviews from "American Idol" celebrity judges.
“You look like a star, you sound like a star. And more importantly, I want you to know that your growth from that beginning to now is unbelievable,” said Lionel Richie, a native of Tuskegee, where Lady K lives.
Katy Perry said Lady K looked like Vanessa Williams walking onto the stage Sunday night. “I was like, who is this beautiful, grown, graceful, gorgeous woman?” said "Little Mermaid"-costumedPerry, who also praised Lady K for stunning vocals.
“Great job with everything that the show has thrown at you,” said Luke Bryan, who in the previous episode joined with Perry in saving Lady K to move into the Top 10. “We’re so glad we had the opportunity to save you. That performance was so validating of why we did save you.”
After eliminations, "American Idol" is down to its Top 7: Christian Guardino, Huntergirl,Leah Marlene, Nicolina, Jay, Noah Thompson,andFritz Hager.
It's time to party with her K1s
In a video from Los Angeles after the show, Lady K said the "American Idol" experience was her favorite music journey so far, and that the universe was already working in mysterious ways to send blessings her way.
“Thank you so much ‘American Idol’ for everything and this magical amazing experience,” Lady K said.
It's also given her a new name for her fans: K1s.
"We're K1 since day one," she said. "I know I've left my mark. They love Big K over here."
She also encouraged any singers who might be considering trying out for "American Idol" to do so.
"Don't wait. Go sign up. They're probably already scouting because the season is about to be over," Lady K said. "Go in there and do your mark for America, because I loved every bit of it."
Up next, Lady K is planning a “bomb celebration,” before putting together a tour in support of her recent "Time Of Your Life” EP.
"Y'all get those numbers right, and we're going to be on tour real, real, real, real, real, real soon," she said.
Follow her online atmusicbyladyk.com.
DISNEY NIGHT:Montgomery's Lady K takes on Disney spirit of Moana for Sunday's American Idol
TOP 10: American Idol judges save the day for Montgomery's Lady K
ALABAMA GOES FORWARD: Live vote moves Montgomery's Lady K and Pell City's Tristen Gressett to Idol's Top 11
MOVING FORWARD: Montgomery's Lady K faces new challenge Sunday
SHE DID IT:Lady K sings her way into American Idol's Top 14
SHE MADE THE CUT: Montgomery's Lady K is in American Idol's top 20; tonight they'll cut to the Top 14
RISING TO THE OCCASION: Lady K opts for angst in Hawaii, hoping for spot in American Idol's top 20
TAKING STAGE: Lady K hopes Idol fans will listen, vote during Hawaii episodes
'WE'RE IN HERE!':Montgomery's Lady K makes it to top 24 on American Idol
RELATED:Montgomery's Lady K's golden ticket performance leaves American Idol judges 'Wide Awake'
Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel at sheupel@gannett.com.
