Who is Kolbi Jordan? Meet 'American Idol' powerhouse vocalist from Oklahoma

 American Idol’s 23rd season features Oklahoma native Carrie Underwood on the judge’s bench 20 years after her win. But another Oklahoma connection is found in powerhouse vocalist and Tulsa native Kolbi Jordan, who's from just "one hour away from you, Miss [Underwood]."

Jordan was the first Platinum ticket of this season after her audition with Christette Michele’s "Epiphany."

Since the show debuted, she has continued on to place in the Top 24 and had a performance at Disney’s Aulani Resort. 

The Tulsa star has been around the music scene before, and we want to take a chance to remind you where you may have seen her before her “New Attitude” performance on tonight’s episode. 

Who is Kolbi Jordan? 

Kolbi Jordan is a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma. She graduated from Union High School in 2016, where she sang at her commencement ceremony. 

According to Union Public Schools, Jordan was a theater student at UHS and played the Dragon in the all-school production of "Shrek the Musical" and Asaka in "Once on This Island" in 2024.

She describes her music style as gospel and soulful, with Patti LaBelle as a large musical influence. 

She explained in her audition that she works in Human Resources at a dental company in Tulsa, outside of music.  

Kolbi Jordan on American Idol

When she auditioned for American Idol, the 26-year-old singer performed Chrisette Michele’s 2009 song “Epiphany.” Her performance was met with three yeses from the three-judge panel of Lionel Richie, Underwood and Luke Bryan.

Following her performance, singer and songwriter Richie gave a ring to his longtime friend Patti LaBelle to introduce Jordan to her favorite artist. While Jordan was flustered, she did get one sentence out to the “Somebody Loves You” singer: “Can I get some pie?” 

To which LaBelle replied, “I’ll give you some pie after you win. Love you, Kolbi, and good luck!” 

After one audition, Richie told Jordan his dream is to see the two side by side, “I can’t even imagine what that’s going to be.” 

Underwood complimented Jordan’s performance with dynamics, while Bryan told her to kiss her HR title goodbye because she was going Hollywood. 

If you are a fan of the Tennessee Titans or the New England Patriots, you may have seen Jordan perform at their November 3, 2024, matchup. During the game's first quarter break, Jordan performed Patti LaBelle’s “Lady Marmalade” and received the rare Platinum Ticket. 

Kolbi Jordan sings Patti LaBelle at Aulani

While Jordan has not yet gotten to perform with music legend Patti LaBelle, she finds much of her musical influence from the great, so her performance at Disney’s Aulani Resort on Sunday night was not a shock.

In an interview with the Tulsa World, Jordan recalled learning of LaBelle at 5 or 6 years old. After seeing a Christmas special, she dove into the artist’s career. 

“I went on YouTube, and I watched every YouTube video of Patti LaBelle that night,” Jordan told the Tulsa World. “I literally woke up from the computer because I fell asleep there listening to her, and I have been a fan ever since. I adore her.” 

Since her audition, Jordan has had a sinus infection. When she returned to the show singing her idol's "New Attitude," she showed her recovery from sickness and the platinum talent she had before. The crowd agreed with judge Luke Bryan, who said her performance was “one of my favorite performances I’ve seen on this island.”