Carrie Underwood Delivers Emotional Performance of 'How Great Thou Art' on American Idol Easter Special

On April 20th, ‘American Idol’ celebrated Easter Sunday with a special episode called ‘Songs of Faith.’ Carrie Underwood's touching performance of ‘How Great Thou Art’ was one of the night's many highlights. The country music artist delivered an emotional and powerful rendition, showcasing her incredible vocal range and building a strong connection with the judges and audience.

Underwood, accompanied by a group of gospel singers, performed the traditional Christian hymn while wearing a flowing, ethereal pink gown. The stage featured a backdrop of beautiful, cloud-dotted skies, adding to the spiritual atmosphere. Keeping her delivery simple and genuine, Underwood allowed the hymn’s profound message to take center stage.

As she reached the emotional climax of ‘How Great Thou Art,’ Underwood held a remarkably high note, followed by a skilled vocal run that made the audience erupt into applause and cheers.

Standing ovation
Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Jelly Roll, the three judges, gave her a heartfelt standing ovation at the end of her performance. Jelly Roll, the season’s artist-in-residence, was particularly moved and raised his hands in admiration, visibly touched by the spirit of the moment.

Carrie Underwood has a long history with ‘How Great Thou Art.’ She previously performed a duet version with Vince Gill in 2014 and later included a solo rendition of the hymn on her 2021 gospel album ‘My Savior,’ showing her strong connection between her music and her faith.

Carrie Underwood’s impact

Earlier this month, Luke Bryan spoke about Underwood’s influence on ‘American Idol’ contestants in an interview with Billboard. Bryan said, "She's never shied away from her spirituality and her Christian beliefs." He further added, "Music has been a part of her artistry, and she has accomplished this through it." Bryan acknowledged that Underwood’s example encouraged more contestants this season to choose spiritual and faith-based songs.