Carrie Underwood has never hidden her faith from the world — and when American Idol announced a special, faith-centered Easter episode airing Sunday, April 20, fans knew exactly what to expect from her: sincerity, reverence, and a moment that would linger long after the final note faded.
From the earliest days of her career, Underwood has woven her beliefs naturally into both her music and her life. Her debut single, “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” didn’t just introduce a powerful new voice — it set the foundation for a career rooted in spiritual storytelling. She carried that same message forward with “Something in the Water,” a song that remains one of the most defining and uplifting moments of her catalog.
Over the years, Underwood has returned again and again to the hymns that shaped her faith. Performances of “Softly and Tenderly” and her now-legendary rendition of “How Great Thou Art” have become touchstones for fans who find comfort and awe in her voice.
In 2021, she gathered many of those sacred songs into her gospel album My Savior, a collection that included “Nothing but the Blood of Jesus,” “The Old Rugged Cross,” “Amazing Grace,” and other timeless hymns. The album debuted at No. 1 on both the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and the Top Christian Albums chart, and later earned the 2022 Grammy Award for Best Roots Gospel Album — recognition that honored not only her vocal power, but her devotion.
That same Easter, Underwood performed all 13 tracks from My Savior during a moving online concert at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium, an event that resonated deeply with viewers around the world.
Faith, for Underwood, isn’t limited to music alone. She speaks openly about her love for Jesus in interviews, award speeches, social media posts, and on television. During Hollywood Week on the 2025 season of American Idol, she praised contestants Breanna Nix and IAMKNOWN after their performance of Brandon Lake’s “Gratitude.” Visibly emotional, Underwood shared how difficult it can be to keep faith at the center of a career in entertainment:
“Ladies … I wanna tell you how difficult it is to come into the entertainment industry and bring your faith with you. It is a brave thing to do because there are a lot of outside forces that are gonna tell you not to do that. I wanna tell you that I’m proud of you guys.”
https://youtu.be/Yf6C0L_7-CA
Carrie Underwood Shines During American Idol’s Easter Special
Underwood brought that same courage and conviction to one of television’s biggest stages during American Idol’s three-hour “Songs of Faith” Easter special. The night featured performances from the Top 20 contestants, the judges, special guests, and artist-in-residence Jelly Roll.
When it was time for Underwood to perform, she stepped into the spotlight wearing a shimmering gown, her presence as radiant as her voice. She chose a song deeply woven into her own story — “How Great Thou Art.”
The performance wasn’t flashy or overdone. It was controlled, reverent, and profoundly moving. As her voice rose, the room seemed to hold its breath, and many viewers were left in tears by the time the final note rang out.
When she finished, host Ryan Seacrest captured the moment perfectly:
“I have no words after that!”
The audience erupted in applause, and the performance instantly became one of the defining highlights of the Easter special.
No matter how many times Carrie Underwood sings “How Great Thou Art,” it never loses its power. Each performance feels less like a routine appearance and more like a shared moment of grace — one that continues to send chills and touch hearts every time she lifts her voice.