Update (Mar. 19:): The Christian Chronicle points out that Charisma‘s list is missing Church of Christ member Paul Jolley, although it does include fellow contestant Janelle Arthur.
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‘American Idol’ may have gotten a bad rep last spring when producers reportedly asked contestant Colton Dixon to “tone down [his] devotion to Jesus Christ” on the show.
But Christians apparently aren’t shying away from the ‘Idol’ stage this season. Charismareports that 8 of the top 10 finalists of Season 12, including favorite Angie Miller, are professing Christians. (And the Christian Chronicle says there’s a ninth.)
Citing tweets about faith and on-stage performances of worship songs, Charisma says contestants are “in it to win it” and “not ashamed to share their faith with the world while they’re at it.”
But previous Christian contestants haven’t all fared well on the show itself–few actually have won–but many, including Jordin Sparks and Mandisa, have gone on to post-‘Idol’ fame. The aforementioned Dixon released a Christian music album, A Messenger, earlier this year.
CT previously has reported on ‘American Idol’, highlighting producers’ concerns that the “Christian viewer vote” had become too powerful. CT has also noted “Christian alternatives” to ‘American Idol’ and discussed “faith on center stage.”
