"Such an honor" — CeCe Winans comments on performing 'Come Jesus Come' on American Idol’s faith special episode 

Gospel superstar CeCe Winans captivated audiences nationwide with her powerful performance of "Come Jesus Come" during American Idol's Easter special, "Songs of Faith."

Now, the 17-time Grammy winner is partnering with country music sensation Cody Johnson for a new duet version of the song that moved millions of viewers. Following her appearance on the show, Winans expressed her gratitude for the opportunity:

"To be invited back to American Idol to share a message of hope through music is such an honor. This song means so much to me and teaming up with Cody brings a new richness to the message. It's a reminder that in the midst of all we face, there's still the promise that help is on the way."

The Easter Sunday special edition featured various faith-inspired performances by well-known musicians and Idol contestants. Winans' performance with Roman Collins, a competitor in season 22, resonated particularly with the audience, garnering an incredible 25 million views in just 36 hours and reaching the Top 3 on Apple Music's All Genre Singles Chart—a noteworthy accomplishment for a gospel song.

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CeCe Winans makes American Idol history twice

The American Idol Easter special transformed the popular singing competition into a platform for spiritual expression. Alongside Winans and Collins, the evening featured performances by Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll singing "Hard Fought Hallelujah," plus faith-inspired selections from the Idol judges themselves.

The special episode allowed contestants and guest artists to share their faith through music, creating an unusual primetime television moment where spiritual messages took center stage. CeCe Winans just keeps making history—and sounding heavenly while doing it. Her Easter Sunday performance on American Idol wasn’t just a musical highlight; it was a full-on moment that reminded viewers why message-driven music still has the power to move hearts across the board.

This marks the second year in a row that Winans has left the Idol stage in a blaze of glory. Her 2023 duet of “Goodness of God” with Roman Collins? Yeah, that one smashed records and racked up over 120 million views, making it the most-watched Idol performance ever. Not bad for a gospel tune that started as a worship service favorite.

That viral moment didn’t just bring CeCe a fresh wave of fans; it also helped push gospel music into the playlists of people who may not even know where their nearest church is. And now, her latest Idol appearance has only added fuel to that fire.

Need more proof? Just look at how her streams shot up the Apple Music charts after the special aired. It's a new age for gospel, and CeCe is leading the charge, one powerhouse vocal at a time.

Up next, she’s teaming up with country star Cody Johnson for a genre-blending duet, dropping April 25. Produced in Nashville by Kyle Lee, the reworked version amps up the arrangement and lets both artists shine. CeCe’s soaring vocals paired with Cody’s grounded grit make for a surprisingly perfect harmony.

The partnership follows a growing trend of cross-genre collaborations in the music industry, where traditional boundaries between musical styles continue to blur. For Winans, working with Johnson opens doors to country music audiences who might not be familiar with her extensive catalog.

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Gospel gets its mainstream moment

Winans' recent American Idol appearances highlight gospel music's enduring relevance in contemporary culture. Despite often being overlooked in mainstream music conversations, the genre continues to influence popular music across the spectrum.

The extraordinary viewership numbers from both her performances suggest that spiritual music resonates far beyond traditional religious settings. In an era of fragmented entertainment options, Winans' ability to unite diverse audiences speaks to her exceptional talent and the universal themes in her music.

With 17 Grammy Awards and numerous chart-topping albums, Winans has long been gospel royalty. Her recent mainstream success introduces her artistry to new generations who might otherwise miss the rich musical tradition she represents.

As "Come Jesus Come" prepares to hit streaming platforms in its new form, the collaboration stands as evidence of how television moments can translate into lasting musical impact. The partnership between Winans and Johnson may open doors for similar cross-genre experiments that enrich both traditions.

For American Idol, embracing faith-based programming demonstrates the show's continued evolution and willingness to showcase diverse musical expressions. The ratings success of these special episodes suggests that spiritually themed content has significant audience appeal.

Winans continues to prove that her voice and message resonate across generational and genre divides. As she enters this next chapter of her storied career, her American Idol appearance reminds us that inspirational music maintains its power to move, comfort, and unite even in our fragmented cultural landscape.

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You can watch American Idol Season 23 live on ABC Sundays and Mondays at 8:00 pm ET/PT and stream it the next day on Hulu.