American Idol’s Season 23 is packed with talent, but few contestants have touched hearts quite like Breanna Nix. The fan-favorite singer recently took her gift all the way to Hawaii, where she joined the Top 24 contestants for a special performance at the stunning Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa.
Breanna first captured America’s attention during her unforgettable audition, where she wasn’t alone on her journey. Her husband, Austin, and their sweet little son, Emerson, stood right by her side. Austin accompanied her on piano, while Emerson melted hearts as he cuddled up with judge Carrie Underwood—eventually dozing off to his mama’s beautiful rendition of Carrie’s hit “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” The emotional moment even brought Carrie to tears.
That performance earned Breanna three enthusiastic “yes” votes and a Golden Ticket to Hollywood. But her journey didn’t stop there. She continued to impress the judges, especially during the showstopper round when her cover of Kelly Clarkson’s song left Luke Bryan with “full body chills.”
Breanna’s next big moment came during the head-to-head round, where she partnered with IAMKNOWN to perform Brandon Lake’s “Gratitude.” Once again, her bold choice to sing about her faith on national TV struck a deep chord with the judges, especially Carrie Underwood, who praised her for her courage.
Carrie shared heartfelt words with Breanna and fellow contestant Riley, saying:
“Ladies, Riley, Breanna, 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.”
Thanks to her unwavering faith and stunning vocals, Breanna advanced to the Top 24 and jetted off to Hawaii, where she once again used her voice to inspire.
For her Hawaiian stage performance, Breanna chose Lauren Daigle’s “Still Rolling Stones” — a powerful Christian anthem that first climbed the charts back in 2018 and became a beloved staple in the Christian music world.
From the very first note, Breanna owned the stage. The judges were visibly moved, and the crowd responded by raising their hands in praise, creating a worship-like atmosphere right in the middle of the Idol set.
After her performance, the judges showered her with glowing feedback:
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Carrie Underwood: “That first note out of your mouth was like a growl, you’re like, ‘I’m here.’ That was amazing … so much power, so much heart behind it.”
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Luke Bryan: “If anyone has ever picked the right song, that is your deal. The confidence you embodied, it was like watching when Adele is in her zone. You truly owned that moment; you never let off the gas from the start to the finish.”
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Lionel Richie even called on the crowd to shout “Amen” before adding, “You have actually been leading in terms of just bringing more and more of your faith into being. I’m loving the way you just came out onstage, put your foot down, and killed it.”
It’s clear that Breanna isn’t just competing for a title — she’s using her platform to share her heart, her faith, and her voice.
If you haven’t seen her powerful cover of “Still Rolling Stones” yet, don’t miss it! Watch the video below and see why the judges — and fans — are falling in love with Breanna Nix.
