Indiana’s own Kyndal Inskeep made a bold move during the Top 20 performances of American Idol Season 24, leaving her guitar behind to deliver a raw, emotional rendition of Noah Kahan’s “Call Your Mom.” The risk paid off, earning her praise from all three judges and touching the hearts of fans across the nation.
Up until now, Inskeep had been performing with her guitar, a familiar anchor in her stage presence. But for this round, she wanted to explore a more vulnerable, performance-driven side of herself. “For this performance, I very much want to be open and vulnerable,” she shared. “I really resonate with this song because I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety my whole life.”
Mentors Keke Palmer and Brad Paisley gave her last-minute encouragement before stepping onstage. Palmer assured her, “I liked you without the guitar,” while Paisley added, “I think that’ll be magic.”
When Inskeep took the stage at Disney’s Aulani Resort & Spa in Hawaii, she commanded attention immediately. Dressed in a stunning black-and-gold gown with a chic bob haircut, she captivated the audience with her signature raspy tone and heartfelt delivery.
Her lyrics — “Don’t let this darkness fool you / All lights turned off can be turned on / I’ll drive, I’ll drive all night / I’ll call your mom” — resonated deeply, especially with her mother, Staci, watching from the crowd. The emotional reunion backstage after the performance made the moment even more unforgettable.
Judges were unanimous in their praise:
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Carrie Underwood: “The second you start singing, it is impossible to turn away… putting your hands in the air — it was beautiful.”
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Keke Palmer: “I’m so glad you decided not to do the guitar. You transported us into your world, and I loved it there.”
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Luke Bryan: “No matter what you sing, you present it like an artist presents it. That cry in your voice is intoxicating.”
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Lionel Richie: “The delivery was perfect… one of the most powerful performances I’ve seen.”
Inskeep, 29, first captured audiences with her audition song “The Prayer of a Trying Daughter,” dedicated to her mother, and has continued to showcase her artistry with original songs like “Woman of Me” and covers such as “Human” by The Killers.
As the Top 20 compete for America’s votes, fans can support their favorites through three methods: online at AmericanIdol.com/Vote, via social media by commenting the contestant’s first name on the pinned voting post, or by texting the contestant’s number to 21523. For Kyndal, that number is 5. Voting is open for up to 10 votes per contestant per method, closing at 6 a.m. ET on March 17.
With her bravery, talent, and heart on full display, Kyndal Inskeep proves that sometimes stepping outside your comfort zone is exactly what makes a star shine.
