American Idol 2025: American Idol Top 20 episode airs on Easter Sunday and features a “Songs of Faith” theme
American Idol will air a special three-hour “Songs of Faith” episode on Easter Sunday, April 20. The night will feature performances by Christian and Gospel artists including Season 22 alum Roman Collins, CeCe Winans, Jelly Roll, Brandon Lake and The Brown Four.
Judges Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan will also each take the stage for special performances, according to People magazine, which first reported the news.
Additionally, the Top 20 will sing faith-inspired songs for America’s vote.
Does a “faith-inspired” theme mean Christian themed songs? Or will artists who may be of other faiths or NO faiths pick songs that are vaguely spiritual? American Idol contestants have always been more religious than not. Group numbers have featured religious numbers, while contestants have performed Christian and Gospel songs. But the April 20 episode is the first time the show has featured a blatantly religious theme for song choices.
American Idol moves on to the Showcase Round, Jelly Roll joins as “Artist in Residence”
Before Easter Sunday, the schedule looks like this: Sunday April 6 will feature the remaining contestants competing in the “showcase round” in which the contestants perform with a full band for the first time. The judges will make more cuts. On Monday, April 7, the brand new “Head to Head” round will begin. Jelly Roll joins the cast for the rest of the season as Idol’s first “Artist in Residence.” Although he gets a fancy new name, his role will be similar to mentors before him like Bobby Bones, for instance, who served in that capacity for several seasons.
Then, after more cuts, The Top 24 will head to Hawaii to sing for YOUR VOTES for the first time in a two part round airing Sunday April 13 and Monday April 14. Ashanti and Josh Groban will mentor singers on separate nights. The round taped at the Disney Aulani Resort back in January. And yes WE HAVE CONTESTANT AND SONG SPOILERS.
American Idol 2025 Spoilers: Top 24 Season 23 Contestant List & Song Picks
Top 20 Easter Sunday special films on April 16! Get your tickets NOW
According to the audience seating outfit, On Camera Audiences, the Top 20 episode will be taped on WEDNESDAY APRIL 16 so WATCH OUT FOR SPOILERS because we probably will get them. The way the Top 20 round has worked in the past–all 24 contestants prepare songs, but only the Top 20 perform. Four singers are eliminated.
Then, it appears the LIVE shows begin on Monday April 17. If fans are in the Los Angeles area, the show will tape at Red Studios in Los Angeles beginning with the Easter Sunday Top 20 special. Sign up for tickets HERE.
