The April 20 episode of “American Idol” will be a three-hour “Songs of Faith” special, where all 20 contestants perform worship and gospel songs in primetime.
The episode will feature guest appearances and performances by Grammy Award winner Winans, Lake, “American Idol” alum Roman Collins, artist in residence Jelly Roll and gospel quartet The Brown Four.
Lake and Jelly Roll will perform their collaboration “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” which they dropped earlier this year. All three judges — Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood — will also perform during the episode.
The night will mark a pivotal moment in the season as the Top 20 finalists perform faith-inspired songs in front of a live audience, vying for America’s votes. Voting will open immediately following the episode, helping determine which contestants advance closer to the coveted “Idol” crown.
Season 23 of “American Idol” has had several faith-forward moments, with contestants including Baylee Littrell, son of Backstreet Boys‘ Brian Littrell, and aspiring pastor Canaan Hill openly worshipping Jesus through song.
On a recent episode, contestants Breanna Nix and Rylie O’Neill performed a cover of Lake’s worship song “Gratitude,” which spent 28 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart.