Christian “American Idol” contestants Canaan James Hill and Breanna Nix have both made it to the Top 10 even as they continue putting the spotlight on God’s faithfulness in their lives.
In the latest episode, which aired Monday, April 28, Hill and Nix spoke with former “American Idol” winner Fantasia about different struggles they’ve had. Fantasia, who is a Christian, mentored contestants through their most recent round of the competition and performed her new gospel single, “Have Your Way.”
“You know, the show has been a wonderful blessing to me, but the hate sometimes on the internet,” Nix told Fantasia while Fantasia was coaching her. “Being a Christian, there is a lot of opinions that come with it. You know, ‘That’s not what a Christian should wear,’ or, ‘That Christian shouldn’t sing a song like that.’”
Fantasia Helps ‘American Idol’ Contestants Compete for Top 10
The Christian faith of “American Idol” contestants has been on display this season, and the show even had a special Easter episode.
The Easter special featured performances from judge Carrie Underwood, who sang “How Great Thou Art”; artist-in-residence Jelly Roll and special guest Brandon Lake, who performed “Hard Fought Hallelujah”; and special guests CeCe Winans and Roman Collins, who sang “Come Jesus Come.” Judge Lionel Richie performed “Eternity,” and judge Luke Bryan performed “Jesus ’Bout My Kids.”
Canaan James Hill, a 17-year-old aspiring preacher, has wowed the “American Idol” judges and audience with his renditions of gospel songs, including Earnest Pugh’s “I Need Your Glory,” Marvin Sapp’s “Never Would Have Made It,” Fred Hammond & Radical for Christ’s “Glory to Glory to Glory,” and Aretha Franklin’s “Mary, Don’t You Weep.”
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Hill, who has said he started singing in church at age 6 or 7, received a platinum ticket after his audition, allowing him to bypass the first round of the competition. The singer has received criticism online from some who are tired of hearing only gospel songs from him, but others have encouraged Hill to stick with that genre if that’s what he believes God is calling him to do.
The April 28 “American Idol” episode centered on “iconic ‘Idol’ moments” and featured the Top 12 competing for spots in the Top 10. Hill chose to perform “Goodness of God” by CeCe Winans. He told mentor Fantasia, who won the third season of “American Idol” in 2004, that he remembered watching Winans and Roman Collins perform the song last year, calling the performance “phenomenal” and “amazing.”
When Fantasia asked Hill where his “grit” comes from, Hill replied that when he was younger, he “always felt like I was overlooked or maybe nobody really cared to hear me.” He also said he was bullied a lot because of his skin color.
Fantasia coached Hill, suggesting that he sit while performing and encouraging him to connect with the audience. When Hill commented that he was trying not to cry, she said, “But you can.”
