Brandon Lake, Jelly Roll, and Kirk Franklin Join the ‘American Idol’ Finale

Even though Nix came in third and didn’t end up winning the competition, she’s thankful for the experience.

“I’m overwhelmed with gratitude and so excited for what’s next,” Nix said. “I can’t wait to share more music and grow with you, this is just the beginning.”

Kirk Franklin and The War and Treaty Among ‘American Idol’ Guest Performers

Canaan James Hill performed with Kirk Franklin to give praise while singing Franklin’s songs, “Melodies” and “Love Theory.” Hill, an aspiring preacher at just 17 years old, stunned the audience with his soulful, gospel sound. Hill chose multiple Christian songs throughout the competition, often honoring his late grandfather, who sang gospel.

Controversy has followed Franklin throughout 2024—so much so that he addressed many of his choices and mistakes in a video to his fans at the end of the year.

“I sincerely apologize because I never want to get to a place that I can’t learn what I need to do better, what I can do different,” Franklin said of his clothing and performance in Jamaica, “to make sure that as I grow as a man, grow physically or in any aspect, that I’m always being humble enough and submissive enough to hear people and their concerns about anything being bigger than the message of Jesus.”

Thunderstorm Artis, who was eliminated after making it to this season’s Top 5, was also a contestant on “The Voice” in 2020 and took third place. Artis sang “Hey Driver” with artists and songwriters, The War and Treaty.

The War and Treaty includes husband and wife duo, Michael and Tanya Trotter. They wrote “Hey Driver” with Zach Bryan and were featured on his album.

“It’s blowing us away,” Tanya told Holler. “How we met him, how it all came about…it was a God thing.”

The War and Treaty blend gospel, soul, country, and rock. The duo “used to run from” answering questions about their faith history and the church’s influence. They focus their music, their family, and their lives on loving well and not contributing to division or hate. But now, they’re able to say, “Gospel singers were placed in our world to be the uplifters, to give us hope,” said Michael.