Music and inspiration will shine in “American Idol Songs of Faith” episode

For the first time ever, American Idol is set to celebrate Easter Sunday with a special "Songs of Faith" episode. Airing on April 20, 2025, the three-hour event will showcase faith-filled performances from the contestants, judges, and celebrity guests. Plus, viewers will finally learn the first voting results of season 23.

The American Idol judges — Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood — will each take the stage to perform their own "Songs of Faith," while also giving feedback and encouragement to the contestants. With the competition heating up and a heavy dose of inspiration in the air, it promises to be a memorable night for fans of all ages.

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Faith shines through performances on American Idol

Since season 23 of American Idol kicked off in March, the competition has been packed with auditions, Hollywood Week battles, and tropical performances in Hawaii. One thing that’s stood out this year? The number of contestants choosing Gospel and Contemporary Christian songs.

Luke Bryan credits Carrie Underwood for the shift, telling Billboard,

"The kids this year have showed up with more of that maybe than in years past, and that's been something really, really special to watch."

He added,

"I'm sure she probably thinks, 'Am I making a difference?' but it showed this year."

Underwood, who joined Bryan for the interview, noticed the trend too.

"It wasn't just Gospel," she said. "(The contestants) usually say something before they sing about why they want to be the next American Idol, and so many of them said, 'Because God put me here.'"

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Carrie Underwood encourages contestants to embrace their faith

Carrie Underwood’s influence on American Idol this season has been clear. During Hollywood Week, she praised contestants Rylie O’Neill (IAMKNOWN) and Breanna Nix for their performance of Brandon Lake’s "Gratitude."

After their duet, Underwood told them,

"I know how difficult it is to come into the entertainment industry and bring your faith with you. It is a brave thing to do because there are a lot of outside forces that are going to tell you not to do that."

Throughout the season, many contestants have openly shared their faith journeys on American Idol. As Underwood put it,

"Has it always been like this? This is awesome."

Her excitement shows just how meaningful this moment is for both contestants and fans.

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Special guest performances lined up for American Idol fans

The American Idol "Songs of Faith" episode won’t just feature the judges. Artist-in-residence Jelly Roll will also hit the stage alongside Brandon Lake to perform their duet "Hard Fought Hallelujah."

They confirmed their appearance in an Instagram video posted on April 18. It’s another moment fans can look forward to, especially with Jelly Roll mentoring the contestants this season.

In another exciting return, season 22 finalist Roman Collins will join Gospel legend CeCe Winans to sing. They performed "Goodness of God" together during the May 2024 finale, a duet that quickly went viral. Since then, Collins has even toured with Winans, making their upcoming American Idol performance even more meaningful.

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Contestants face big results night on American Idol

While the "Songs of Faith" performances will surely be uplifting, there’s a lot at stake for the contestants. Host Ryan Seacrest will announce the results from the Hawaii performances, cutting the Top 24 down to the Top 20.

After Sunday’s episode, viewers will be asked to vote again based on the "Songs of Faith" performances. The tension won't end there. The following night, on April 21, American Idol will host a live show where the Top 20 will be whittled down to just 14 contestants.

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With so much happening in back-to-back episodes, fans of American Idol are in for an emotional rollercoaster. From inspiring songs to tough goodbyes, this Easter special will be one to remember.