By Gavin Boyle
AMERICAN IDOL is bringing faith to the stage with a special three-hour live event for Easter where the contestant will sing songs of faith along with multiple special guests and performances from the judges.
“A lot of these people who made the show were raised in church, sang in church, and who’ve put faith in Jesus Christ,” alum Danny Gokey previously said while explaining why the show leans into faith. “I think there’s just such an influence that churches had. Music is a huge part of church. That’s where I got my start, that’s where many people got their start. So they’re always going back to their roots.”
The show will be celebrating these roots on Easter this year through an episode completely focused on faith-based music. By Easter, 24 contestants will remain to take the stage and perform live. They won’t be alone, however, as all three judges — Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan and Lionel Ritchie — will perform a faith-based song as well, in addition to multiple Christian music stars making special appearances. These stars include Brandon Lake, CeCe Winans, Roman Collins and The Brown Four.
This isn’t the first time faith has been front and center this season. Seventeen-year-old Canaan James Hill sang the Gospel song “I Need Your Glory” and, after receiving a standing ovation from the judges, was awarded the Platinum Ticket from Ritchie, automatically advancing him to the later stages of the show. Hill has also shared behind-the-scenes jam sessions where he and other contestant have broken into spontaneous worship.
“To God be the glory,” Hill said after his audition, adding that he has been “so blessed.”
Other contestants who have shared their faith on stage this season include Baylee Littrell, the son of Backstreet Boys’ Brian Littrell, who sang an original song he wrote to cry out to Jesus after the death of his grandmother, and Breanna Nix, who auditioned to Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus Take The Wheel.”
Related: This Contestant Brings Church to AMERICAN IDOL
“Guys!! I haven’t been able to respond to each one of y’all in comments – BUT I am so emotional and EXTREMELY grateful,” Nix wrote on Instagram after her audition was shared on social media. “I feel so LOVED and SO blessed!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you for loving on me and my family. I truly am so blessed!! I love y’all!!!❤️”
The “Songs of Faith” Easter special will air live on April 20 starting at 8 p.m.
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