On April 20, Carrie Underwood, an esteemed judge on American Idol, made an emotional return to enhance the show’s Easter special with a profound focus on faith. Underwood reflected on the deeply spiritual tone of the episode, emphasizing the significant role of faith in the performances.
Celebrating Spirituality on American Idol
Carrie Underwood Graces the Idol Stage
During the special three-hour “Songs of Faith”episode, American Idol showcased a variety of performances that resonated with themes of belief and faith. Carrie Underwood, a former contestant who catapulted her career through the show, delivered an evocative rendition of the beloved hymn “How Great Thou Art,”bringing a heartfelt close to the episode.
Underwood noted that her presence on the show represented not just nostalgia but also highlighted the crucial role of her faith throughout her career journey.
Her performance was complemented by those of her fellow judges, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, who also showcased their own faith-inspired songs, contributing to the night’s uplifting atmosphere.
The Impact of Faith on Contestants
Luke Bryan acknowledged Carrie Underwood’s influence in inspiring contestants to embrace gospel music, noting the increase in spiritual songs performed by participants this season. Reflecting on a recent episode, Bryan shared:
“A couple of episodes ago she asked, ‘Historically have people done so much gospel?…And I said, ‘You may be having a little something to do with that,'”
This emphasis on faith was not solely limited to the performances. Underwood observed that many contestants expressed their motivations for competing, frequently mentioning their belief in God. She remarked:
“They usually say something before they sing about why they want to be the next American Idol,” noting how many contestants cited God’s influence in their journey to the stage.
Guest Performances and Competition Updates
The “Songs of Faith”special also featured guest appearances, adding depth to the musical repertoire. Notable performances included CeCe Winans singing “Come Jesus Come“alongside Season 22’s Roman Collins, and Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake’s rendition of “Hard Fought Hallelujah.”The Brown Four delivered a medley of beloved hymns, including “How I Love Jesus,””This Little Light of Mine,”and “Oh Happy Day.”
Musical numbers from the judges added to the night’s vibrancy, with Richie opening the special with “Eternity“and Bryan performing “Jesus ‘Bout My Kids.”
This episode also marked a pivotal moment for contestants, as it revealed the results of the first voting round of the season. With nearly 30 million votes cast, the competition narrowed from 24 down to the Top 20. Advancing contestants included Amanda Barise, Baylee Littrell, Ché, Gabby Samone, and Victor Solomon, while Grayson Torrence, Kyana Fanene, MYK, and Penny Samar were eliminated.
Following this episode, six additional contestants will be cut based on their performances, with announcements set for Monday night. Fans can catch American Idol every Sunday and Monday at 8 PM ET on ABC, with episodes available for streaming anytime on Hulu.