Though American idol is not at all a faith-based show, many of its fans have noted that numerous contestants, including finalist Danny Gokey, are prominent Christian artists. Speaking to Fox News, Gokey explained that he thinks the reason for that is that Christian culture tends to put an emphasis on musical talent, with singing and music being a central aspect of many faith practices, and so many of the talented laymen who end up on the show are Christian.
Gokey explained as much when speaking to Fox News in an interview likely related to the recent Christian singer, a 17 year old girl, who made it to the next round with a Gospel song she wrote herself. When paired with the plethora of other artists who got their start on American Idol and are now Christian, “Singers like Colton Dixon, Kris Allen, Phil Stacey, Mandisa, Melinda Doolittle, Jordin Sparks and Lauren Daigle,” the situation raised the question: why are so many of American Idol’s best singers Christian, and why do they stick to faith-based music after the show?
Gokey, speaking about his faith, said, “Following Jesus is my No. 1 priority in life.” Continuing, the Christian music star added that though he tried country music after his time on “American Idol,” even that was “still so faith-based because that’s who I am.”
Now he focuses on faith-based music exclusively: “To this day, I now do Christian music full time, and it’s still the same DNA. It probably wouldn’t have mattered what kind of music I did. I think the DNA of hope and belief in God is intrinsically in my DNA and in my music.”
That brought him to what’s going on with so many talented Christian singers being on “American Idol” and remaining in the faith-based music sphere after the show. Explaining what he thinks is going on with that situation, Gokey began, “I don’t think you can separate – the Bible makes it clear when you are in Christ, you’re a new creation.”
Continuing, he noted that faith imbues those who are committed to their faith and that they grow up singing and playing music in the church, noting, “You take the nature of God. That nature has to flow through everything you do… a lot of these people who made the show were raised in church, sang in church, and who’ve put faith in Christ Jesus.”
Further emphasizing that point about the nexus between church and music, Gokey said, “But ‘American Idol,’ I think there’s just such an influence that churches had. Music is a huge part of church. That’s where I got my start, that’s where many people got their start. So they’re always going back to their roots.” Gokey added that music is something that builds faith and hope, saying, “Music was a thing that kept building faith in me, building hope in me, building encouragement in me.”
Watch Jennifer Jeffries stun the judges with her original Gospel song on this year’s season of “American Idol” here:
Featured image credit: By Royalbroil – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=80413221