American Idol Honors Easter with Powerful ‘Songs of Faith’ Special
This Easter Sunday, American Idol is taking a bold and beautiful step by dedicating an entire episode to celebrating faith through music. The show’s next three-hour special, airing April 21, will embrace the spirit of the holiday with a powerful lineup of gospel and worship performances — all under the theme Songs of Faith.
The timing couldn’t be more meaningful. Throughout Season 23, faith has quietly emerged as one of the strongest storylines on Idol, with several contestants openly sharing their love for Jesus and turning to their faith for strength during the emotional highs and lows of the competition.
A Viral Worship Moment Backstage
It all started with a now-viral backstage video that captured contestants spontaneously singing a worship song together during one of the most tense moments of the competition.
Contestant Thunderstorm Artis later reflected on that powerful moment in an interview with Deseret News, saying, “It just felt like the spirit of the Lord was in the room… I was kind of shaky and unsure if I was supposed to be here, but in that moment, I knew — this is exactly where God wants me to be.”
That unscripted show of faith made waves online — and it wasn’t the only one.
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What to Expect in the Easter Sunday Episode
This Sunday’s Songs of Faith episode will feature all 20 remaining contestants performing gospel or faith-inspired songs. But they won’t be the only ones taking the stage. The show’s judges — Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan — will also deliver their own spiritual performances.
Joining them is gospel music legend CeCe Winans, who will make a special guest appearance. And fans can look forward to a powerful duet of “Hard Fought Hallelujah” by Jelly Roll and worship artist Brandon Lake.
Lake’s song “Gratitude” has already had a moment this season when contestants Breanna Nix and Rylie O’Neill sang it as a duet. That performance moved Underwood to tears.
“I know how difficult it is to come into the entertainment industry and bring your faith with you,” Underwood said emotionally afterward. “It’s a brave thing to do… I want to tell you that I’m proud of you guys.”
‘Idol’ Embraces a New Chapter
For longtime viewers, this open celebration of faith on Idol may feel like a shift — and that’s because it is. Simon Lythgoe, the show’s original producer and co-creator, told CCM Magazine just how far the show has come.
“When I worked on American Idol during the early Fox years, there was an unspoken rule to avoid religious themes — to keep the show secular and broadly inclusive,” he said. “For ABC and Disney to take such a bold stand on this holy day and celebrate worship music is truly inspirational.”
Lythgoe added, “I have no doubt this Easter special will be powerful. I’m genuinely excited to see Jesus’ resurrection day honored on one of the biggest entertainment platforms in the world.”
The episode will air Sunday night at 7 p.m. MDT / 9 p.m. EDT on ABC.
Other Faith-Filled Moments from This Season
This Easter episode is the culmination of what has been a season filled with heartfelt expressions of faith:
Canaan James Hill, a 17-year-old aspiring preacher, brought the house down during auditions with his performance of “I Need Your Glory.” His powerful delivery earned him a coveted platinum ticket from the judges.
Baylee Littrell, son of Backstreet Boys singer Brian Littrell, sang his original song “Hey Jesus” during Hollywood Week. He shared how the song helped him reconnect with his faith after the passing of his grandmother — someone who supported him deeply while his father was often away on tour. “This song kind of helped me find it again,” he said.
Victor Solomon, a former finalist on The Voice and now part of Idol’s top 24, told Deseret News that staying grounded in God’s word has kept him centered throughout the competition. “To spread the love of Jesus Christ and influence people through music — that’s what it’s all about,” he said.
A Celebration with Purpose
This Easter, American Idol is doing more than just entertaining — it’s creating a space for faith, healing, and spiritual connection on a national stage. In a time where entertainment often shies away from religious themes, Idol is leaning in, giving contestants and viewers alike a reason to celebrate not just talent, but testimony.
As Thunderstorm Artis put it best: “There are so many Christians — from the production team to the top executives — it’s been amazing. I didn’t know that American Idol was a spirit-filled organization, but it’s been a beautiful experience.”
And this Sunday, millions of viewers will get to see that beauty in full bloom.
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