On April 20, 2025, viewers of American Idol were treated to an emotionally charged performance by Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake during the show’s inaugural Easter special. This historic episode, themed ‘Songs of Faith,’ marked a unique celebration in the series’ 23 seasons, captivating audiences with its spiritual resonance.
Jelly Roll, who created waves this season by becoming the first artist-in-residence in American Idol history, showcased his signature genuineness in his performance. Known for hits such as Need a Favor and Liar, the artist is also a triple nominee at the 2025 ACM Awards. His authenticity continues to resonate deeply with fans and audiences alike.
Brandon Lake, a distinguished multi-Grammy Award-winning artist in the Christian music genre, is currently in the spotlight as he promotes his upcoming album, King of Hearts, set to be released on June 13, 2025. The duo’s performance provoked a flurry of emotional reactions on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Fans expressed their admiration for both artists’ vocal prowess and the heartfelt themes embedded within the song. One fan encapsulated this sentiment perfectly:
“I love this song so much and they both did an incredible job! I haven’t watched Idol in years, but this episode was incredible! Thank you.”
Another viewer passionately encouraged others to attend a Brandon Lake concert, stating:
“If you ever get the opportunity to see Brandon Lake in concert, please do it. It’s an experience you will never forget.”
The performance received widespread acclaim, with various viewers expressing their heartfelt sentiments:
“One of my favorite songs!” a fan said.
“Wow this is the 1st time I’ve heard Jelly Roll… intense and very good. Appreciate his authenticity,” another added.
“Such an amazing and inspiring performance. Made my Easter night!” one viewer shared.
“More of this please!” another added.
Highlighting Jelly Roll’s unique contributions to the show, one fan noted:
“Jelly Roll — the shoulder, confidence and truth you bring to all the contestants is tangible!! Brandon…”
“Buy the whole album. I did,” a viewer declared.
The duet was among the standout moments of the three-hour special, which also featured performances from the Top 24 contestants and several celebrity guests. The Easter special culminated in announcing the Top 20 contestants following an unprecedented public vote that garnered nearly 30 million votes.
Behind the Performance: Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake
The duet of Hard Fought Hallelujah, showcased towards the end of the Easter Sunday broadcast, aligned seamlessly with the episode’s spiritual theme. The collaboration intertwined elements of country and Christian rock, showcasing the diverse musical backgrounds of both artists.
Beginning the song with a soft and reflective tone, Brandon Lake set the stage for Jelly Roll, who followed with a heartfelt and powerful vocal delivery, supported by a gospel choir dressed elegantly in white. Their performance received a standing ovation from the live audience while impressing judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie.
This song was originally launched as a solo track by Lake in November 2024, where it debuted impressively at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Digital Songs chart and found its way to No. 51 on the Hot 100. The newly improvised version featuring Jelly Roll hit Country radio in February 2025, infusing a rock essence into the original. Notably, the American Idol performance marked the song’s first live televised showcase. In a March 2025 interview with Billboard, Jelly Roll shared his personal connection to the track:
“I haven’t had a record touch me like that in so long. It’s been years since I worshipped the way that I worshipped to that song.”
After their captivating performance, American Idol host Ryan Seacrest brought both artists forward for an engaging interview, introducing Brandon Lake to the judges. Lake expressed his joy at the moment, reflecting on how it felt full circle since he had always been an admirer of the show but had been “too afraid” to audition. Jelly Roll humorously replied:
“I’d have voted for you, baby.”
Fans can catch the latest happenings in American Idol season 23, now available for streaming on Hulu.