American Idol is celebrating Easter with a special Songs of Faith episode. According to People, Carrie Underwood will perform, along with fellow judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. They will be joined by Jelly Roll, Brandon Lake, CeCe Winans, Roman Collins and The Brown Four.
In addition, the remaining 20 contestants will sing faith-based songs for the episode, which airs on April 20.
Underwood has been vocal about her Christian faith. She released her album, My Savior, in 2021. It was a fitting collection of songs for Underwood to share with the world, which was largely shut down because of COVID-19.
“It is something that I’ve always wanted to do,” Underwood said at the time. “I grew up on this music. It’s such a pillar of who I am as a person, but also as an artist, because this was the first time that I got to sing on stage. So many artists do get their start singing at church, because it is such a warm, loving environment, and that’s your community, and their so supportive. That’s the same with me.
“I sang these songs when I was little,” she continued. “Now, as an adult, they hold such a higher purpose and deeper meaning for me singing these lyrics. You never know who is going to need whatever song it is your putting out, whether it’s something sassy or whether it’s something really deep and meaningful. I hope people find some peace and some comfort in these songs.”
Jelly Roll and Lake will likely sing their “Hard Fought Hallelujah” collaboration together. It was Lake who reached out to Jelly Roll, after he saw the “Son of a Sinner” singer join Brooks & Dunn to perform “Believe” at the 2024 CMA Awards.
“He said to me on the phone everything I wish the church would have,” Jelly Roll recalls on K-Love. “The way he made me feel is like, ‘Man, if I felt this way on Sunday when I went to a couple of churches, God knows where my journey would be at right now.’ Maybe the things people are still mad at me at for not being where they think I should be, maybe I’d already be there.”
Jelly Roll acknowledges he has not led the perfect life. Still, he is definitely on the right path, and is rightfully proud of how far he has come.
“If you knew how I was talking at interviews five years ago, and it’s all over the internet. Go look it up.” Jelly Roll says. “And then you see how I’m talking today, imagine what God can do with me in five years. And then look at what God’s already doing with me.”
Jelly Roll is working as the first-ever Artist in Residence on this season of American Idol, helping coach the contestants while on the TV show.
“Halfway through the season, like Episode 5, I come in, and I mentor these kids through the end of the season,” Jelly Roll says on Country Countdown USA. “You wanna see me be a snotbox, tune in to Idol. I’ll be crying all over national television all year.”
Photo Credit: Courtesy of ABC