If 2020 was kind to anyone it was Louis Knight. Launching his career on “American Idol,” Knight made it to the top 7 and soon made a name for himself, including ranking as a top 20 television personality.

He quickly became a hometown celebrity, performing around the city (safely of course), helping out healthcare workers who were on the front lines, and more.

Knight released two singles this year, “Twisted Conversations” and “Save a Little Love,” along with a music video for an unreleased song, “Maybe That,” which will be officially released next year.

Along with those single releases, he went on a mini-cross country, socially distanced tour, stopping at parking lots and fan’s houses to perform for those who could come.

Ending his busy year, Knight performed for the first time at the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade and released covers of two Christmas songs, “Last Christmas” and “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.”




Now with the year coming to an end, Louis reflects on the past year and discusses his plans for 2021.

Know Philly: Even though you couldn’t be on a float for the Thanksgiving Day Parade, how did it feel to perform for your hometown again and experience that?

Louis Knight: When Alicia Vitarelli asked if i would be a part of it, I was so blown away. The way Philly supported me throughout the last year and this being such a monumental event in the city, it was still such an honor to be a part of that, even though they couldn’t do it the way it is usually done. It was really so much fun.

KP: You released two Christmas songs recently, “Last Christmas” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” What made you pick those songs? Do they hold special meaning or were you just sticking with the classics?

LK: It wasn’t really even in the plan to release any Christmas music. With this year and everything going on lately, we were like why don’t we? Let’s do something fun. I originally “Last Christmas,” we were only planning on doing one song, and my producer, Matt Weber, came to my apartment, recorded the entire song in one day, and figured out how to make it my own. The reason I chose that song is because it has always kind of been a family classic, who doesn’t love that song. My dad went to high school with George Michael and Andrew Ridley from Wham! And were in the school orchestra together, so I figured it’d be so cool to pay some homage to George Michael. Then “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” I never really listened to the lyrics and analyzed them and I was listening to it and it speaks so much to everything everyone is going through right now, the line “We’ll be together again, if the fates allow,” and I felt like that speaks to what everyone is going through right now with the pandemic and a little bit of hope we all need. I thought that would be a beautiful one to do.

KP: If you would ever release an original Christmas song, what do you think yours would be about?

LK: I’m trying to think because mostly all my songs are sad. I think it would really be about family and being back with family in England at Christmas. Maybe next year. *Laughs*

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KP: Speaking of being back in England for the holidays, are there any Christmas traditions that you might have brought back home?

LK: We wake up and do presents and then we have like a big roast dinner and have lamb and chicken and Yorkshire pudding, which is my favorite English delicacy. We just all get together with the family and have one giant dinner and spend the whole day together.

KP: Talking about the holidays, you are a big advocate for mental health and this time of year is known for seasonal depression, do you have any tips on how to get through that?

LK: Honestly, this year especially with everything going on, seasonal depression is kind of worse for a lot of people. I mean I definitely occasionally have it, especially this year, being isolated inside the same four walls everyday can be really overwhelming and can make anyone feel depressed. If you’re struggling, I think to know that there are people are there and try to figure out something that will make you happy through this and coping skills. For me, working out really helps me with feeling down and clear my head and feel good. Try to find what will make you happy and destress.

KP: How was your cross-country tour? Do you think you would do it again?

LK: I would love to. I really want to tour in general. The cross-country tour was so impactful and such an incredible experience, which would be an understatement. My manager and his family were supposed to do a road trip vacation and then I don’t know how his wife allowed me to crash it, but Cliff basically told me to come along and do some pop-up performances. Then we realized the full scope of what we could do with this. I posted our initial route plan and asked people on Instagram if they would like me to stop in their towns and was so surprised at how many people commented. Then I spent four hours one night planning the entire trip based off the Instagram data and where everyone was. How we could safely meet as many fans as we could. We played basically Walmart parking lots and outside people’s houses. It was anywhere from two people to 100 people (Nashville). It was this once in a lifetime, intimate experience that I was able to have with people who have been supporting me on my journey on ‘Idol.’

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KP: “American Idol” is coming up again soon and the contestants will most likely be performing from home again, like you did. So what advice do you have for them? 

LK: Know that you can truly succeed if you stay true to yourself and who you are. Be genuine. That is the most important thing. It’s going to be a lot of work, but you can get through it.

KP: What can fans expect from you next year?

LK: I am releasing a new song called “London,” sometime in January. Then we are also planning to release “Maybe That,” on Valentine’s which also happens to be the day that “American Idol” is premiering. Lots more songs are going to come. Hopefully, in the spring if touring is back, that is definitely my goal.

Make sure to follow Louis Knight on social media, so you can stay up to date on what he puts out next. We can’t wait to see what 2021 has in store for him.

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