For the first time in American Idol history, the reality singing competition delivered a television special solely devoted to gospel music.
Sunday’s Easter episode (April 20) featured three hours of faith-based performances from Idol contestants and special guests. It was also the first time this season that judges Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan, and this season’s artist-in-residence, Jelly Roll, took the stage to perform.
Jelly Roll’s performance was one of the most anticipated of the night. The “I Am Not Okay” singer teamed up with Christian worship singer Brandon Lake to sing their recent collaboration, “Hard Fought Hallelujah.” It marked the first televised performance of the track, although the pair debuted it at the Grand Ole Opry in late February.
In an interview prior to their Opry performance, Lake shared why he chose Jelly Roll to record the song with him.
“I wanted to share this song with somebody that had a really beautiful and hard-fought story, and the first person that came to mind was Jelly,” Lake said in an interview with K-Love.
He added that upon connecting with the country singer, he found out that Jelly Roll was a fan and already had “Hard Fought Hallelujah” on repeat.
“I’m honored that I was the call,” Jelly Roll said. “I’m a Brandon Lake fan… What he’s doing for Christian music, even outside of Christian music — he’s taking it further than I’ve seen anybody take it in a long time.”
The duo’s American Idol performance was met with praise from viewers who were thrilled to see such a bold proclamation of faith on primetime television.
So awesome to see people praising Jesus on regular TV!” one viewer wrote. Another said, “Brandon Lake, you are an amazing singer, and thank you so much for praising the Lord this day at your age and not being ashamed. Your voice is beautiful. Your singing and praising the Lord is genuine.”
Other commenters pointed out that Jelly Roll shone with “the joy of the Lord.” Everyone agreed that the pairing of Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake was “a match made in heaven.”
The “Songs of Faith” special also included some emotional eliminations.
24 hopefuls were still in the running going into Sunday’s episode. While all two dozen prepared a song for the television special, four were eliminated before performances kicked off. The remaining 20 then performed faith-based songs or songs that told the story of their life journey in hopes of earning America’s vote.
The field will dwindle quickly as six more are slated to be eliminated Monday night (April 21).
Watch Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake’s powerful performance of “Hard Fought Hallelujah” on American Idol in the video below.
