American Idol Season 23: Songs of Faith Special Recap
The highly anticipated Easter special of American Idol, featuring Season 23, aired on April 20, 2025. This unique episode, aptly titled Songs of Faith, required contestants to perform tracks that reflect their spiritual beliefs, aiming to secure their spots in the Top 14. Among the highlights of the evening was John Foster, who captivated the audience with an original song, going beyond typical covers to showcase his songwriting talent.
John Foster’s Emotional Tribute
Foster’s original song, Tell That Angel I Love Her, served as a heartfelt homage to his dear friend, Maggie Dunn, who had passed away. During his performance, emotions ran high as John fought back tears, dedicating the touching ballad to her memory.
“I love you, Maggie,” John Foster expressed after his poignant performance on the Easter episode of American Idol.
Following the performance, he sat down for an interview with Ryan Seacrest, where he shared the backstory of the song. John revealed that both Maggie Dunn and another friend, Caroline Gill, tragically passed away in December 2022. He honored their memory by pointing out that Maggie’s mother and a friend were present in the audience, acknowledging their strength.
After the episode concluded, viewers could cast their votes, with results to be revealed on the next episode airing on April 21, 2025.
Highlights from Episode 10 of American Idol
The show opened with renowned judge Lionel Richie performing Eternity, accompanied by a group of contestants. Host Ryan Seacrest welcomed everyone with Easter greetings and listed the 20 participants competing for the coveted Top 14.
Canaan James Hill impressed the judges with his rendition of Better Days by Le’Andria Johnson, earning high praise for his standout performance. Carrie Underwood commended Hill for his execution, while Lionel noted it as a memorable moment. Luke Bryan further highlighted the uniqueness of his voice.
“Make it look a little harder, please,”Bryan humorously remarked.
Next up was Drew Ryn with Yellow by Coldplay and Desmond Roberts performing Worship by Jon Batiste, both of whom received accolades from the judges. Filo, hailing from California, performed Bridge Over Troubled Water, with Carrie stating he transformed from “zero to a million”in just one performance. Lionel praised Filo’s journey from a gentle beginning to a stirring crescendo.
Following Filo, Josh King serenaded the audience with You Are So Beautiful by Joe Cocker, and Luke Bryan also joined in with his song Jesus ‘Bout My Kids. Thunderstorm Artis’s performance of Reckless Love garnered strong feedback, with Carrie emphasizing the conviction and dynamism he exhibited. Lionel noted that Artis revealed a new side of his artistry, while Luke compared his performance to a “Christian rock concert.”
“You showed up tonight in a very big place. We discovered something about you tonight. Stretch that out some more,”Lionel encouraged.
Amanda Barise captivated the audience with If I Ain’t Got You by Alicia Keys, while young talent Mattie Pruitt sang Rescue by Lauren Daigle at just 16 years old. Olivier Bergeron from Kedgwick, New Brunswick performed Stay by Rihanna. Midway through the episode, popular artists Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake delivered a stirring performance of Hard Fought Hallelujah.
Despite Breanna Nix and Victor Solomon earning judges’ accolades, Baylee Littrell was highlighted for delivering the “best performances so far”of the evening. Additional performances included Isaiah Misailegalu with Give You Blue and Gabby Samone with I Am Changing from Dreamgirls. Slater Nalley showcased his talent with Soulshine by The Allman Brothers Band, while Zaylie Windsor performed Silver Springs by Fleetwood Mac.
As the night concluded, Jamal Roberts, Ché, and Kolbi Jordan rounded off the performances, leaving audiences eager to vote for the Top 14. As previously noted, the results will be disclosed in the upcoming episode of American Idol, airing April 21 at 8 PM ET on ABC.