If you haven’t been keeping up with the 23rd season of American Idol, you’ve missed some pretty exciting changes. This year, the show welcomed back Idol alum Carrie Underwood as the third judge and brought on Jelly Roll as a new mentor for the contestants. Along with these additions, the show introduced some unique new weekly themes, with this past Sunday, April 21, marking the debut of “Songs of Faith.”
In honor of Easter Sunday, the night featured a lineup of heartfelt gospel and worship performances from both contestants and judges. One of the most powerful moments came when Jelly Roll took the stage alongside Christian artist Brandon Lake to perform their hit, “Hard Fought Hallelujah.” This past year, the two have been a package deal following the release of the hit that now has almost 10 million Spotify streams. Last night marked the second time they performed the hit live on a televised broadcast since their Grand Ole Opry appearance in February.
The performance began with Lake on guitar and vocals, setting a soulful tone that immediately had the crowd swaying and praising. Jelly Roll joined in for the second verse, his gritty, passionate voice adding a powerful layer. Their energy was electric, and the backing choir elevated the moment into something truly unforgettable.
Undeniably, “Hard Fought Hallelujah” has a universal impact, and it speaks to the soul whether or not you identify as Christian. While many were surprised at first to hear that the two would be collaborating when the song first dropped on February 7, you can tell it’s had a profound impact on both of them and consequently touched every audience they’ve performed in front of since then.
Adding a lighthearted touch, host Ryan Seacrest joined them onstage afterward, prompting Jelly Roll to hilariously joke, “Anytime I see you I just wanna pick you up and run off with you.” Meanwhile, Lake was beaming with joy, admitting he’s a longtime fan of Idol and revealing, “I was too afraid to ever audition.” Judging by that performance, it’s safe to say he would’ve been a strong contender. Both Jelly Roll and Underwood gushed over him, with Underwood even saying Lake’s music is a staple in her household.
Lake also shared that his upcoming album, King of Hearts, will feature “Hard Fought Hallelujah” and is set to release on June 13. Luckily for fans craving more, the pair recently released a Gospel Version of their song on April 16, featuring The Choir Room. Calling it an ethereal listening experience doesn’t even begin to describe how incredible it is.
The night was packed with other standout performances, too, including Luke Bryan delivering a moving solo of his 2024 song “Jesus Bout My Kids,” Lionel Richie leading the Top 24 in a group rendition of “Eternity,” and Carrie Underwood giving a stunning take on the classic hymn “How Great Thou Art.”
This Idol episode was not only a celebration of Easter but also another sign of the growing influence of country and Christian music in mainstream media, and what a beautiful blend it is.
Watch the full performance: