Carrie Underwood once again reminded the world why her voice is considered one of the greatest in modern music—this time with a powerful and heartfelt performance of the beloved hymn “How Great Thou Art” on American Idol’s Easter Sunday “Songs of Faith” special.
A History of Faith-Driven Performances
Since winning American Idol in 2005, Underwood has never shied away from expressing her Christian faith. Her debut single, “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” introduced fans to her spiritual side, and she continued that journey with “Something in the Water,” a song that references baptism and spiritual rebirth.
She further honored that commitment in 2021 with her Grammy-winning gospel album My Savior, which featured classics such as “Softly and Tenderly,” “Amazing Grace,” and “The Old Rugged Cross.” The album topped both the Billboard Top Country Albums and Top Christian Albums charts, cementing her place as a crossover gospel artist.
That same year, Underwood performed all 13 tracks from My Savior in a special Easter Sunday concert filmed at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium.
A Tearjerking Idol Moment
Fast forward to 2025, and the country superstar—now a judge on American Idol—brought her gospel roots back to center stage. During the show’s three-hour “Songs of Faith” Easter special, which featured spiritual performances from the Top 20 contestants, special guests, and artist-in-residence Jelly Roll, Underwood closed the night with a breathtaking rendition of “How Great Thou Art.”
Clad in a glittering gown and standing under heavenly stage lighting, Underwood delivered the powerful ballad with both grace and vocal force, leaving the audience visibly moved.
“I have no words after that,” host Ryan Seacrest said as the crowd erupted in applause.
Championing Faith in the Spotlight
Beyond performances, Underwood continues to advocate for artists who express their faith publicly. During Hollywood Week earlier this season, she praised contestants Breanna Nix and IAMKNOWN for their emotional duet of Brandon Lake’s “Gratitude.”
“I wanna tell you how difficult it is to come into the entertainment industry and bring your faith with you,” she told the young women. “It is a brave thing to do. I’m proud of you guys.”
A Voice That Lifts Spirits
Carrie Underwood’s rendition of “How Great Thou Art” serves as a reminder that gospel music, when delivered with genuine passion and belief, can transcend generations and genres. Her performance wasn’t just a showstopper—it was a spiritual experience.
Watch her full American Idol Easter special performance below. But be warned: it might move you to tears, and it will definitely give you chills.
