Pop culture is experiencing a spiritual revival, and it’s hard to deny: Jesus is back at the forefront of mainstream entertainment. From the unprecedented success of The Chosen—which has drawn millions globally and transformed how Biblical stories resonate on screen—to the remarkable box-office performance of King of Kings, debuting impressively at number two this past weekend, there’s a clear appetite for faith-driven content. But perhaps nowhere is this revival more evident than on the American Idol stage.
On Easter Sunday, April 20th, American Idol will air its highly anticipated “Songs of Faith” special—a profound celebration of Christian and gospel music, showcasing the spiritual roots deeply embedded in American culture. Judges Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie will step out from behind the table to perform inspiring worship and gospel songs themselves.
This season, viewers have already witnessed powerful Christian performances capturing national attention. Contestants have beautifully delivered Seth Schluster’s “Counting My Blessings,” Brandon Lake’s heartfelt hit “Gratitude,” and Baylee Littrell’s poignant original, “Hey Jesus.” Such song choices not only underscore the contestants’ faith but reflect a growing mainstream comfort with openly spiritual themes on a primetime stage.
Adding to this impactful evening, CeCe Winans, Brandon Lake, and genre-bending sensation Jelly Roll will grace the stage. Lake and Jelly Roll’s live performance of “Hard Fought Hallelujah” promises to be a highlight.
Christian music is no stranger to the American Idol legacy. Alumni like Colton Dixon, Danny Gokey, Mandisa, and notably, Carrie Underwood herself, have experienced tremendous success crossing over into Christian music, proving Idol as a powerful launchpad for artists of faith.
We reached out to Simon Lythgoe, original producer and co-creator of American Idol, who is also a man of faith, for his thoughts on this special. “I think it’s incredible that American Idol is doing a three-hour Easter special,” said Lythgoe. “For ABC and Disney to take such a bold stand on this holy day and celebrate worship music is truly inspirational. When I first began working on American Idol during the FOX years, there was an unspoken rule to steer clear of anything overtly religious or faith-based. The goal was to keep the show secular—broad and inclusive—to avoid alienating any viewers.”
He continued, “But I noticed that started to shift the year Carrie Underwood took the stage. It was clear she wasn’t just a remarkable talent—she was a woman of deep faith. That faith came through even more clearly in songs like ‘Jesus, Take the Wheel.’ The real turning point, though, came in 2008 during the Idol Gives Back charity special when the Top 8 finalists asked to perform ‘Shout to the Lord.’ I remember getting flooded with calls from Christian friends who were thrilled to hear a worship song performed on primetime television.”
Lythgoe concluded, “Now, in Season 23, Carrie is back—this time as a judge. With her influence, and the support of Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Jelly Roll, I have no doubt this Easter special will be powerful. I’m genuinely excited to see Jesus’ resurrection day honored on one of the biggest entertainment platforms in the world.”
As American Idol embraces this renewed spiritual heartbeat, it’s clear pop culture is catching up with a nation increasingly turning back to Jesus.
American Idol’s “Songs of Faith” will premiere Sunday, April 20 at 8|7c on ABC.
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