Returning to American Idol for his eighth season as a judge, Lionel Richie brings nearly six decades’ worth of knowledge to the next generation of musicians. Along with Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood, the “All Night Long” crooner, 75, has whittled this year’s pool of hopefuls down to the Top 24. The theme for Sunday (April 20) is “Songs of Faith,” with contestants performing gospel and faith-based music in honor of the Christian holiday Easter. The night also featured performances from the judges, including Richie.
Taking the stage during Sunday’s special three-hour episode of American Idol, Lionel Richie kicked off a night of faith with his 2009 song “Eternity.
@LionelRichie still sounds great! ♥️ #AmericanIdol
— Sheena McRae (@sheenamcrae) April 21, 2025
Earlier this season, Idol contestants went viral when they spontaneously burst into a backstage worship session. Top 24 finalist Thunderstorm Artis tells The Deseret News that the now-viral moment was entirely unscripted.
“It just felt like the spirit of the Lord was in the room,” Artis said. “And I think that for me was in a time where I was kind of shaky and I wasn’t sure if this was where I was supposed to be. But it was like, this is right where God wants me to be.”
Faith has been a common throughline during this season of American Idol. “They usually say something before they sing about why they want to be the next American Idol and so many of them said, ‘Because God put me here,’” first-time judge Carrie Underwood told Billboard. “And they’re leaning into that.”
For Artis, finding so many like-minded up-and-coming musicians is refreshing. “There’s so many Christians, from the production team to the people at the top to the people at the bottom. And it’s been amazing,” he said. I didn’t know this, that ‘American Idol’ was a spirit-filled organization, so it’s been a beautiful experience.”
[RELATED: ‘American Idol’ Stars Thunderstorm Artis and Drew Ryn Wow in Head-to-Head Showdown]
During an interview with TV Insider, American Idol judges Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood shared their feelings on the show’s first-ever Easter special. For Richie, music and the Christian holiday have always been intertwined.
“There was always music playing somewhere in the background,” Richie said of Easters growing up in Tuskegee, Alabama. “That music shaped who I am. On this ‘Songs of Faith’ episode, it’s more than a theme. It’s a beautiful reminder of how music connects us.”
Featured image by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images
