This AMERICAN IDOL Contestant Let Jesus Take the Wheel

Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Ryan Seacrest pose for a photo during “American Idol” Season 8 Judges Photo Call on October 02, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

This AMERICAN IDOL Contestant Let Jesus Take the Wheel

By Movieguide® Contributor

Carrie Underwood got emotional on the most recent episode of AMERICAN IDOL as a contestant sang one of Underwood’s most-known songs: “Jesus Take the Wheel.”

Breanna Nix from Denton Texas walked into the audition room with her toddler son Emerson and husband Austin, who played keys. She explained how she struggled with weight her entire life, but when her son was born, she knew it was time to make a change. She succeeded as she went on a journey of “self-love.”

“I am doing this because I want Emerson to know that anything is possible,” she explained. “He is watching his mama go after her dreams. I hope one day he’ll do the same.”

During the audition, Emerson sat in Underwood’s lap as he drifted off to the song of his mother singing. At the end of the song, Underwood began to cry. “You okay over there?” Luke Bryan asked. “I’m sorry — he’s just adorable and sweet, and I just … it got to me,” she said.

In the comment section of the clip posted to Instagram, fans gushed over the sweet moment. “Watching him sleep to his mommas voice was the best thing I’ve seen on the internet in a while,” one user said. Another person chimed in, “That little smirk from him when she started singing made me burst into tears.”

Nix even took to the comment section to thank everyone for their kind words. “Guys!! I haven’t been able to respond to each one of yall in comments—BUT I am so emotional and EXTREMELY grateful,” she said. “I feel so LOVED and SO blessed!!!!!!!!!!!! thank you thank you thank for loving on me and my family. I truly am so so blessed!! I love y’all!!! ❤️

Underwood’s return to Idol, this time as a judge instead of contestant, has been both sweet and nostalgic. Previously she told Good Morning America, “It feels like home,” she said. “There are so many people that even still work on the show that were there when I was a contestant. I feel like being on both sides of the coin, I’ll be able to hopefully offer some insight, and help. I went from nobody knowing my name to tens of millions of people watching the show.”

Read Next:


Watch THE CHOSEN: Season 1: Jesus Loves the Little Children
Quality: - Content: +4
Watch LUCA
Quality: - Content: +1