After Hill performed, Richie told him, “I just applaud you for yet another fantastic performance.”
“I only have one thing to say,” said Underwood. “Thank you.”
Bryan commented, “[Hill] baptizes me every time he sings. I mean, it’s like getting baptized listening to you.”
Host Ryan Seacrest noted that the contestants are all “getting better and better…no one’s plateauing. Where is this going to end up?”
Another “American Idol” contestant who is a Christian is Breanna Nix. Earlier this month, she performed Brandon Lake’s “Gratitude” as a duet with fellow contestant Rylie O’Neill and even got to speak to Lake by video after the performance.
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After O’Neill was eliminated, Nix told her, “You truly will never know how grateful I am for the Lord putting us together. One thing we both wanted…was for HIM to be glorified, and I feel we did just that.”
When competing for the Top 20, Nix performed Lauren Daigle’s “Still Rolling Stones.”
“You brought something into this whole competition,” Richie told her. “You have actually been leading in terms of just bringing more and more of your faith into being.”
While helping Nix prepare for her performance, Fantasia asked the contestant how she (Nix) was feeling. Nix replied by mentioning some of the criticism she has received. Onscreen, shots displayed social media comments about Nix saying that a song was “too big” for her and that someone was still “waiting for the WOW moment.”
“I had a comment that said, ‘She’s not a Christian anymore,’” said Nix, “and it devastated me.”
“I grew up in church,” Fantasia told Nix. “God still uses me through every song that I sing. I could sing the ABCs right now and give it to God.”
“Doesn’t matter what you sing,” Fantasia continued. “You know that you love him. So, stay away from social media.”
The “American Idol” veteran then asked Nix why she chose the song, “Tell Your Heart To Beat Again” by Danny Gokey for her performance that week. Gokey is a Christian artist and “American Idol” finalist.
“The very first line says, ‘You’re shattered,’” said Nix. “That’s kind of like where I am. You know, I feel like a lot of transition is happening. He’s also a very inspirational artist in my life.” Fantasia told Nix that she was going to make Gokey proud. “I hope so,” said Nix.
Nix and Fantasia even spoke to Gokey by video, with Fantasia telling him, “There’s a beautiful spirit beside me who’s going to be singing your song.”
Gokey told Nix, “While you’re singing, think of a person that needs to hear this,” adding that she is about to “set some people free.”
“Breanna just wants to help and heal through her vocal,” Fantasia told the “American Idol” audience, “and she will.”
