On Monday (April 7), Grammy Award-winning Christian artist Brandon Lake surprised two “American Idol” contestants after they sang his song “Gratitude” during the competition’s head-to-head round.
Competing in front of judges Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan for the final spot in “American Idol”‘s Top 24, Breanna Nix and Rylie O’Neill performed a duet of Lake’s Dove Award-winning song “Gratitude.”
On Sunday night, “American Idol” judges provided contestants with what they described as “a little extra support,” introducing Jelly Roll as the show’s artist-in-residence for the remainder of the season.
RELATED: Brandon Lake Defends Collaboration With Jelly Roll: ‘I Don’t Know What Bible Somebody Is Reading’
“By the spirit in you alone, I know that y’all connect in an emotional way that most people don’t,” Jelly Roll told Nix and O’Neill before they took the stage.
While the two contestants sang, backstage Jelly Roll video-called Lake to tell him they were singing his song. Lake and Jelly Roll have recently become good friends after recording a version of Lake’s hit song “Hard Fought Hallelujah” earlier this year.
Jelly Roll has previously said he is willing to sacrifice his own single to push the duo’s version of “Hard Fought Hallelujah” on country radio.
While backstage on “American Idol,” Jelly Roll held his phone, with Lake singing along with Nix and O’Neill. Lake raised his hand in worship, smiled with joy, and even said, “Wow…oh my gosh” as they sang.
As they finished, Jelly Roll asked Lake if he would say hi to the two girls. “Yes, I would be honored to,” Lake said without hesitation.
Jelly Roll then walked onstage in front of the judges, saying, “I’m sorry to interrupt y’all. I know I just got here, but this is special. Brandon Lake had to see this.” Jelly Roll flipped his phone around to show Nix and O’Neill that Lake was watching them sing.
RELATED: 17-Year-Old Aspiring Preacher Makes ‘American Idol’ Judge Testify to God’s Glory
Lake told Nix and O’Neill, “That was the most gorgeous version of ‘Gratitude’ I have ever heard. Oh my goodness. I’m so honored. Thank you so much.”
, Grammy Award-winning Christian artist Brandon Lake surprised two "American Idol" contestants after they sang his song “Gratitude” during the competition’s head-to-head round.){kind=link}