Carrie Underwood, Jelly Roll, Brandon Lake, and CeCe Winans Deliver Incredible Performances During ‘American Idol’ Easter Special

Viewers of Faith Praise ‘American Idol’ Easter Episode

Based on social media comments, viewers agree with Underwood. “This has been the best American Idol episode ever, in my opinion!!!!,” someone posted. “We truly had church tonight!!”

Another person wrote, “This wasn’t a show, this was a revival worship session and I’m 100% here for it.” Of Underwood, someone noted, “So refreshing to have someone who is a believer and follower of Christ on the panel.”

Earlier this month, a video went viral of Season 23 contestants breaking out into worship backstage. The a cappella rendition of “The Blessing” by Elevation Worship was unscripted, according to contestant Thunderstorm Artis. “It just felt like the Spirit of the Lord was in the room,” he said. Until then, the contestant reported feeling unsure of himself, but that experience convinced him that “this is right where God wants me to be.”

Artis has been amazed to learn that “American Idol” is “a spirit-filled organization,” he said. “There’s so many Christians, from the production team to the people at the top to the people at the bottom.”

The contestant had often been warned to keep his faith separate from his singing. “If I had a nickel for every time someone told me, ‘Hey, if you take Jesus out of your music, you’d be way more famous,’ I’d be rich,” he said.

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“American Idol” co-creator Simon Lythgoe praised the decision by ABC and Disney “to take such a bold stand on this holy day [of Easter] and celebrate worship music.” During his time with the show, back when it aired on Fox, Lythgoe said, “There was an unspoken rule to steer clear of anything overtly religious or faith-based. The goal was to keep the show secular—broad and inclusive—to avoid alienating any viewers.”

Lythgoe noticed a “shift,” he said, when Underwood was a contestant and then as she launched her singing career. After contestants performed “Shout to the Lord” during a 2008 “Idol Gives Back” charity special, the show’s co-creator was “flooded with calls from Christian friends who were thrilled to hear a worship song performed on primetime television.”

Now that Underwood is a judge and has “the support of Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Jelly Roll,” Lythgoe said, faith will continue shining through. “I’m genuinely excited to see Jesus’ resurrection day honored on one of the biggest entertainment platforms in the world,” he said before the “American Idol” Easter special aired.