“American Idol” aired a three-hour special episode titled “Songs of Faith” on Easter Sunday, marking the first time in the show’s 23-season history that it centered an episode around faith-based themes. The episode featured performances by contestants and judges that reflected spiritual and gospel influences, and according to multiple reports, the initiative was largely driven by country music star and judge Carrie Underwood.
According to a report by The Sun, Underwood played a significant role in bringing the idea to life. The episode was described as “historic” by production sources, and Underwood was said to be the most vocal advocate for its inclusion in the current season. While judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan reportedly supported the concept, the momentum and final push came primarily from Underwood, who believed strongly in the value of incorporating gospel and spiritual music into the show’s format.
An unnamed source speaking to The Sun stated that Underwood’s motivation stemmed in part from her experience living in Los Angeles, where she reportedly feels less freedom to express her religious beliefs openly. The source added that Underwood felt strongly about the importance of including a gospel night on the show, particularly in a city and industry where public expressions of personal faith can sometimes be met with hesitation.
A shift is DEFINITELY occurring….Something huge is happening!!!
American Idol would NEVER have allowed Jesus’ to be worshipped on its show before…Now suddenly they’re doing “faith night”??
And what an absolute KILLER performance of “How great thou art” by @carrieunderwood… pic.twitter.com/M9KuNFvq7J
— Sophia (@1111Sophia1111) April 22, 2025
Luke Bryan, speaking to Billboard, confirmed Underwood’s influence on the direction of the show’s content. He remarked on the increased presence of gospel music among this year’s contestants and suggested that Underwood’s advocacy may have contributed to this trend. “She’s never shied away from her spirituality and her Christian beliefs,” Bryan said. He recalled a recent conversation with Underwood in which she questioned the frequency of gospel music on the show in previous seasons, indicating a rising level of faith-inspired performances that may be linked to her involvement.
Despite support from key figures on the judging panel, the episode reportedly led to mixed reactions behind the scenes. Some crew members were described as feeling uncomfortable with the faith-based theme, though they did not voice objections openly.
According to The Sun’s source, concerns among staff were not necessarily rooted in objections to religion but stemmed from uncertainty about the appropriateness of incorporating religious themes into a mainstream entertainment format. Others within the crew saw no issue with the special, noting that the program did not promote any specific religion but rather focused on general expressions of faith and spirituality.
Throughout its long run, “American Idol” has not previously aired an episode focused specifically on faith-based music, making this a first for the series. The episode featured songs traditionally associated with gospel and Christian music, but the emphasis, according to show insiders, was placed on the broader themes of hope, inspiration, and personal belief.
The episode was also seen as a response to a noticeable shift among this season’s contestants, several of whom brought spiritually influenced performances into earlier rounds of the competition. This change in tone reportedly aligned with Underwood’s interests and was seen by the judges as a welcome development.
Wow.
American Idol featured Christian artist CeCe Winans praising Jesus on national TV, singing “Come, Jesus, Come.”
Culture is shifting.
Jesus is Lord. ✝️ pic.twitter.com/rLPWPaQH6k
— Anna Lulis (@annamlulis) April 22, 2025
The long-running talent show continues to evolve in its presentation and tone, and while the “Songs of Faith” episode may have introduced new challenges in balancing artistic expression with diverse audience expectations, it also marked a significant moment in the show’s ongoing relationship with its performers and viewers.
