Son.The show “American Idol” held a religious-themed music night on Easter Sunday in 2025. Will there be another “Songs of Faith” episode this year?
merican Idol” producers love a theme night, challenging contestants to perform songs with a specific focus on each live episode, from covering Disney movie tunes to songs by Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame inductees.
In 2025, a new theme night was introduced for the Easter Sunday episode, called “Songs of Faith,” with guest performances by contemporary Christian artists like CeCe Winans and Brandon Lake. Meanwhile, contestants were asked to perform a song that was personally meaningful and inspiring to them during the three-hour episode.
ABC Says ‘American Idol’ Contestants Will ‘Lift Their Voices’ During Another Faith-Filled Episode
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On March 16, 2026, ABC confirmed that the “Songs of Faith” theme night will return during season 24 — and it’s just over a week away. For the first time in years, new episodes of “American Idol” are airing on Monday nights instead of on Sundays. So, producers have decided to feature the “Songs of Faith” episode on March 30, nearly a week before Easter 2026.
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This year, the show will be two hours rather than three. Guest stars have not been announced yet, but a media update about the theme night said contestants will “lift their voices in inspiring songs of faith” on the episode.
It’s also not clear yet if the three judges — Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan — will once again perform solos. Last year, Bryan sang his song “Jesus ‘Bout My Kids,” Richie performed his tune “Eternity,” and Underwood’s incredible rendition of “How Great Thou Art” was a stand-out moment on the episode.
‘American Idol’ Will Also Reveal Top 12 During ‘Songs of Faith’ Episode
Before the 2025 “Songs of Faith” episode, there were reports that Underwood pushed for the theme after hearing many contestants talk about their faith during their auditions. The star is also outspoken about her own beliefs and won a Grammy for her Gospel album, “My Savior.”
Richie and Bryan fully supported the idea, they told TV Insider, with Richie explaining that he grew up with faith-infused music in his home. “That music shaped who I am,” he said. “On this ‘Songs of Faith’ episode, it’s more than a theme. It’s a beautiful reminder of how music connects us.”
Despite all the buzz about the episode, it didn’t boost ratings in 2025, according to the U.S. Sun. The outlet reported that the night brought in 4.4 million viewers — two million less than the season premiere. Nevertheless, producers clearly think the theme is worthwhile enough to try again.
At the start of the 2026 “Songs of Faith” episode, the Top 14 singers are expected to be revealed, based on viewer voting from the previous two weeks. They will perform their inspiring selections and compete for viewers’ votes live. By the end of the episode, host Ryan Seacrest will announce who’s moved through to the Top 12.
