Latest news with #HeyJesus
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Carrie Underwood gets emotional on ‘American Idol,' says it can be ‘difficult' to share your faith
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways As 'American Idol' prepared to name the contestant who would round out this season's top 24, Carrie Underwood got emotional. But the 'Idol' judge's emotions had more to do with the performance she had just heard than it did the pressure of the situation. Carrie Underwood tears up during worship song on 'American Idol' With the final spot in the top 24 on the line, contestants Breanna Nix and Rylie O'Neill had taken the stage to perform a duet of worship singer Brandon Lake's 'Gratitude.' So I throw up my hands and praise You again and again 'Cause all that I have is a hallelujah Hallelujah And I know it's not much but I've nothing else fit for a King Except for a heart singing hallelujah Hallelujah Backstage, meanwhile, country star Jelly Roll — who is a mentor on 'Idol' this season — FaceTimed Lake so he could listen to the performance. 'That was the most gorgeous version of 'Gratitude' I've ever heard,' Lake, who has previously collaborated with Jelly Roll, told the two contestants. Underwood was visibly touched by the performance — and for the contestants' willingness to share their faith on such a large platform. 'I know 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 going to tell you not to do that,' she said with emotion, as fellow 'Idol' judge Lionel Richie placed his hand on her back. 'I want to tell you that I'm proud of you guys.' In the end, though, only one contestant could advance to the top 24. The judges pushed Nix, a 25-year-old stay-at home-mom from Denton, Texas, through to the next round. Nix successfully auditioned for 'Idol' with Underwood's No. 1 hit 'Jesus, Take the Wheel.' Faith has been featured prominently on this season of 'Idol.' Baylee Littrell, son of Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell, recently performed his original song 'Hey Jesus.' Canaan James Hill, a 17-year-old aspiring preacher, auditioned for 'Idol' with the gospel song 'I Need Your Glory' and earned a coveted platinum ticket from the judges. On April 20, 'Idol' is celebrating Easter Sunday with a three-hour program that will feature the remaining contestants performing songs of faith, according to a TV listing. The episode will also feature performances from all of the 'Idol' judges, Jelly Roll and Lake, and CeCe Winans, a 17-time Grammy-winning gospel singer. Carrie Underwood's faith Underwood has long been vocal about her Christian faith. When the country music superstar came through Salt Lake City on her 'Denim and Rhinestones' tour in 2022, she transformed the large Delta Center into an intimate church as she performed 'Jesus, Take the Wheel' and 'How Great Thou Art,' as the Deseret News reported. The singer released her first gospel album, 'My Savior,' in 2021. The album includes several hymns she grew up singing in a small Baptist church in her Checotah, Oklahoma, hometown, as the Deseret News previously reported. 'I grew up on this music. It's such a pillar of who I am as a person but also as an artist,' Underwood told the 'Today' show at the time. 'Now as an adult, they hold such a higher purpose and deeper meaning for me, singing these lyrics.'
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Baylee Littrell says Backstreet Boys dad taught him how to stay humble in Hollywood
Baylee Littrell wore his faith on his sleeve all the way to the top 20 on "American Idol," and he said it was a lesson he learned from his parents. Littrell, 22, is the son of Backstreet Boys singer Brian Littrell. He won the judges over with an original song in his audition (accompanied by his famous dad), and then his performances continued to impress in the later stages of the competition, before being voted off last week. In the Hollywood round, he performed an original song called, "Hey Jesus" that he wrote following the death of his grandmother. Littrell said he did not expect to receive the feedback he did from fellow believers in Christ. Backstreet Boys Singer Gets Emotional During Son's 'American Idol' Performance About Finding His Faith "I feel like I got a really, really good response from it," Littrell told Fox News Digital. "A lot, a lot of support that I truly did not expect to receive. Because in this day and age, representing faith is kind of taking a risk. I feel like the majority of the world doesn't look to find it. So when I had that reception from fellow believers out there and people that are just now finding faith, I made that my strength for the rest of the show. So, it was great." Read On The Fox News App His faith is something Baylee said blossomed at home. "That's the foundation of my faith is what my parents taught me growing up, what I would learn in school, growing up," he said. "And it's just, it's always a big part of our lives. You know, it's really the foundation of our life. And there is a big misconception with it. You know that you can't live a full life or you can't do certain things, due to religion." But that's the wrong perspective, he shared. "It's really more like, to me, I look at being like a good Christian is one who does not judge, one who accepts everyone," he added. "So, it played a big role and it was actually really freeing to have it on the show and be able to be that voice for people that have already known it for so long or that are just now finding it. So, it meant a great deal to me." 'American Idol' Judge Carrie Underwood Admits It's 'Difficult' To Bring Faith Into Hollywood Judge Carrie Underwood, who also competed on and won season 4 of "American Idol" back in 2005, has been very open about her own Christian faith throughout her career. This season's Easter episode featured the contestants singing spiritual songs, capped off with Underwood's powerful performance of "How Great Thou Art." While Littrell said he never got to speak with Underwood directly about their walk with God, he said that growing up her voice had been a constant in their home. "The faith songs that she's recorded and put out there over the years have always been a pillar in my house," he shared. "You know, my grandmother many years ago when she lost one of her best friends, I sang 'How Great Thou Art' at her funeral and that was her friend's request. And so it was like, it's a beautiful moment." "That's what really brought me to Carrie's faith-based music and stuff like that. I got to see her sing that during our Easter episode. And I was crying, I was bawling my eyes out just because it's a beautiful moment. And I truly believe she's been used as a vessel. And I think it's so cool to see the beauty and the power of her voice and what she does with it and how she uses it." 'American Idol' Judge Praises Contestant For Boldly Sharing Her Faith Through Music: 'Never Scared' Littrell surprised fans on social media last week when he posted pictures of himself in the studio recording, "Hey Jesus." "So, that song, hopefully we're going to get that out in the next couple of weeks while it's still fresh in people's minds," he said. "But I went into the studio just with my acoustic guitar and recorded it and going back in the studio today to just refine some things with it. And we've got a lot more music coming, but definitely want to get 'Hey Jesus,' there first just so people have it." Asked to explain what genre of music he believes he'll fit into, he said he wouldn't want to stay in just one box. "I would never pin myself as like strictly a Christian artist," he said. "I could see it being more pop-related. I've taken a stab at country the last like six years and that one doesn't feel like it's really going to work out. I just feel like I'm going more into a direction of singer-songwriter." "But, too, I want to highlight any time I write a song that's faith-related, I would love to get it out there," he added. "You know, be a voice for people. I don't think I would ever strictly be a Christian artist, but I would definitely love to, you know, any chance I get to do both and have that out there for the world."Original article source: Baylee Littrell says Backstreet Boys dad taught him how to stay humble in Hollywood
Fox News
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Baylee Littrell says Backstreet Boys dad taught him how to stay humble in Hollywood
Baylee Littrell wore his faith on his sleeve all the way to the top 20 on "American Idol," and he said it was a lesson he learned from his parents. Littrell, 22, is the son of Backstreet Boys singer Brian Littrell. He won the judges over with an original song in his audition (accompanied by his famous dad), and then his performances continued to impress in the later stages of the competition, before being voted off last week. In the Hollywood round, he performed an original song called, "Hey Jesus" that he wrote following the death of his grandmother. Littrell said he did not expect to receive the feedback he did from fellow believers in Christ. "I feel like I got a really, really good response from it," Littrell told Fox News Digital. "A lot, a lot of support that I truly did not expect to receive. Because in this day and age, representing faith is kind of taking a risk. I feel like the majority of the world doesn't look to find it. So when I had that reception from fellow believers out there and people that are just now finding faith, I made that my strength for the rest of the show. So, it was great." His faith is something Baylee said blossomed at home. "That's the foundation of my faith is what my parents taught me growing up, what I would learn in school, growing up," he said. "And it's just, it's always a big part of our lives. You know, it's really the foundation of our life. And there is a big misconception with it. You know that you can't live a full life or you can't do certain things, due to religion." But that's the wrong perspective, he shared. "It's really more like, to me, I look at being like a good Christian is one who does not judge, one who accepts everyone," he added. "So, it played a big role and it was actually really freeing to have it on the show and be able to be that voice for people that have already known it for so long or that are just now finding it. So, it meant a great deal to me." Judge Carrie Underwood, who also competed on and won season 4 of "American Idol" back in 2005, has been very open about her own Christian faith throughout her career. This season's Easter episode featured the contestants singing spiritual songs, capped off with Underwood's powerful performance of "How Great Thou Art." While Littrell said he never got to speak with Underwood directly about their walk with God, he said that growing up her voice had been a constant in their home. "The faith songs that she's recorded and put out there over the years have always been a pillar in my house," he shared. "You know, my grandmother many years ago when she lost one of her best friends, I sang 'How Great Thou Art' at her funeral and that was her friend's request. And so it was like, it's a beautiful moment." "That's what really brought me to Carrie's faith-based music and stuff like that. I got to see her sing that during our Easter episode. And I was crying, I was bawling my eyes out just because it's a beautiful moment. And I truly believe she's been used as a vessel. And I think it's so cool to see the beauty and the power of her voice and what she does with it and how she uses it." Littrell surprised fans on social media last week when he posted pictures of himself in the studio recording, "Hey Jesus." "So, that song, hopefully we're going to get that out in the next couple of weeks while it's still fresh in people's minds," he said. "But I went into the studio just with my acoustic guitar and recorded it and going back in the studio today to just refine some things with it. And we've got a lot more music coming, but definitely want to get 'Hey Jesus,' there first just so people have it." Asked to explain what genre of music he believes he'll fit into, he said he wouldn't want to stay in just one box. "I would never pin myself as like strictly a Christian artist," he said. "I could see it being more pop-related. I've taken a stab at country the last like six years and that one doesn't feel like it's really going to work out. I just feel like I'm going more into a direction of singer-songwriter." "But, too, I want to highlight any time I write a song that's faith-related, I would love to get it out there," he added. "You know, be a voice for people. I don't think I would ever strictly be a Christian artist, but I would definitely love to, you know, any chance I get to do both and have that out there for the world."
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Backstreet Boys singer gets emotional during son's 'American Idol' performance about finding his faith
Baylee Littrell, the son of Backstreet Boys singer Brian Littrell, opened up about his faith journey during an emotional performance on "American Idol" Monday night. Littrell, 22, performed an original song called, "Hey Jesus" that he wrote during a difficult time following the death of his grandmother. "My grandma was my best friend," Littrell said in a video that played before his performance. "She understood me like not many people do." Littrell said that after his grandmother died, he "questioned everything" and "pushed away" his faith. Carnie Wilson Defends Daughter From 'Cruel' Nepo Baby Comments Following 'American Idol' Audition Writing "Hey, Jesus" helped him rediscover his relationship with the Lord, he said. Read On The Fox News App "Hey Jesus, I broke my wings again. Can you help me up, one last time, old friend," Littrell sang. "Oh, because I surrender, everything, to you," he continued. "Oh I've tried to fight all my battles without you by my side, in the dark depths of the night, it's where I'd be without your beautiful light." "Give me wings to fly, hey, Jesus," he sang. At times during the song, the camera panned to Littrell's parents, Brian Littrell and Leighanne Littrell, who were silently singing along with tears in their eyes. Click Here For More Coverage Of Media And Culture Judge Carrie Underwood praised Littrell's "genuine" performance afterward as "so good," while judge Lionel Richie hailed the singer's "great lyrics." Littrell moved forward to the next round, while over half of the show's 144 contestants were sent home during "Hollywood Week." Littrell is not the only contestant from a famous musical family this season. Lola Bonfiglio, the 19-year-old daughter of Wilson Phillips' singer Carnie Wilson, was one of the contestants sent home Monday night. Bonfiglio faced online "nepo baby" accusations that she was benefiting from her mother's article source: Backstreet Boys singer gets emotional during son's 'American Idol' performance about finding his faith
Fox News
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Backstreet Boys singer gets emotional during son's 'American Idol' performance about finding his faith
Baylee Littrell, the son of Backstreet Boys singer Brian Littrell, opened up about his faith journey during an emotional performance on "American Idol" Monday night. Littrell, 22, performed an original song called, "Hey Jesus" that he wrote during a difficult time following the death of his grandmother. "My grandma was my best friend," Littrell said in a video that played before his performance. "She understood me like not many people do." Littrell said that after his grandmother died, he "questioned everything" and "pushed away" his faith. Writing "Hey, Jesus" helped him rediscover his relationship with the Lord, he said. "Hey Jesus, I broke my wings again. Can you help me up, one last time, old friend," Littrell sang. "Oh, because I surrender, everything, to you," he continued. "Oh I've tried to fight all my battles without you by my side, in the dark depths of the night, it's where I'd be without your beautiful light." "Give me wings to fly, hey, Jesus," he sang. At times during the song, the camera panned to Littrell's parents, Brian Littrell and Leighanne Littrell, who were silently singing along with tears in their eyes. Judge Carrie Underwood praised Littrell's "genuine" performance afterward as "so good," while judge Lionel Richie hailed the singer's "great lyrics." Littrell moved forward to the next round, while over half of the show's 144 contestants were sent home during "Hollywood Week." Littrell is not the only contestant from a famous musical family this season. Lola Bonfiglio, the 19-year-old daughter of Wilson Phillips' singer Carnie Wilson, was one of the contestants sent home Monday night. Bonfiglio faced online "nepo baby" accusations that she was benefiting from her mother's career.
