It seems there’s change in the air. America has tuned in for the 22nd season finale of “American Idol,” and it wasn’t an ordinary pop ballad that stole the show. Instead, it was a Christian gospel that captivated millions, making a strong case for the continual public’s yearn for spiritual connection in a time of uncertainty.
In the expanse of a three-hour-long finale, two significant events caught everyone’s attention. A young woman who had wowed the audience earlier with a hymn emerged as the winner. Simultaneously, right there on stage, gospel music icon CeCe Winans joined forces with Roman Collins, one of the top 12 contestants, to deliver a moving rendition of “Goodness of God”.
This performance was an exceptional demonstration of vocal prowess that reached beyond sheer entertainment. You could sense the depth of the Holy Spirit’s impact, resonating within each of the audience – both on-stage and remotely. Just shy of making it to the top 10, Collins’ performance with Winans seduced the audience, making a mockery of his unlucky exit.
The rest of America didn’t lag behind either. They endorsed this memorable performance massively across social media platforms, leaving no room for doubt about its popularity. Nearing 30 million views and a whopping 700,000 likes on Instagram proved its virality. On YouTube, it amassed nearly 300,000 views. A stunning gap, it left other performances from the night in the dust. A similar video of Nick Fradiani singing with the top 12 male contestants barely scraped together about 377k views.
Surprisingly, considering previous trends, Big Tech seemed to lay off, giving the video its deserving momentum. The message of Jesus and His Goodness was proclaimed without any distortions, reaching millions worldwide.
This popular endorsement poses an intriguing question: If songs about sex, drugs, and break-ups can generate buzz, why shouldn’t a performance about God get a chance at going viral?
Even Katy Perry, the iconic pop singer, and judge, who was bidding adieu to the show after a seven-year stint, was visibly moved. The televised capture of her tearing up during the words “with every breath that I am able, I will sing, of the goodness of God” tugged at the heartstrings of many viewers. It’s tempting to wonder if the Holy Spirit was stirring something profound within her.
In an era desperate for the healing message of Jesus, this exceptional television spectacle may be just what we need. Distracted by materialism, our culture yearns for a redirection toward the spiritual. “American Idol” deserves commendation for this bold move – introducing a Christian song and orchestrating God’s name to such a vast audience. Hopefully, this sets a precedent for more such inclusions rather than being an odd occurrence.
In conclusion, an occurrence like this is a wake-up call to the entertainment world. Spirituality isn’t a nuisance; rather, it’s a way of life for countless Americans and it deserves representation in mainstream media. So applause for “American Idol” and here’s hoping other shows take note. Let’s turn this exception into the norm.
