Seventeen-year-old Canaan James Hill from Dallas didn’t just sing at his American Idol audition—he ministered.
In the final round of auditions before Hollywood Week, Hill stepped in front of the judges and delivered a powerhouse gospel performance of Earnest Pugh’s “I Need Your Glory” that had everyone—literally—on their feet.
“We’re a gospel family,” Hill told host Ryan Seacrest before taking the stage. Inspired by his grandfather’s singing, Hill said, “I was like, ‘Wow, I want to do that.’” And do that he did.
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Judges Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan couldn’t contain their reactions. As Hill belted out the lyrics, Richie leaned back in his chair, threw up his hands and eventually broke into what could only be described as a Holy Ghost dance.
“Anybody in here need His glory? I need Your power. Less of me and more of You. The Lord is what I need,” Hill sang, prompting Richie to spring to his feet.
Underwood was left nearly speechless. “Smooth but powerful,” she said, thanking Hill for “bringing your gift.”
Richie, visibly moved, approached Hill after his performance and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Would you do that again?” he asked. “That was powerful. You have been so blessed.”
/**/Hill didn’t miss a beat. He immediately gave God the glory.
“That was something so spectacular, I just can’t even describe what I heard,” Richie said.
Even Bryan joined in the praise—with his signature humor. “When you sing in church, what do people do? Do they just run to the baptism pit and jump in it and get saved immediately?”
All three judges gave Hill a resounding yes, awarding him the platinum ticket—which allows him to skip the first round of Hollywood Week.
“You get to sit back [in the first round] and watch all the people you’re gonna slay,” Richie told him.
Backstage, Hill was ready for the journey ahead. “I am so ready to spread the Gospel and that’s what I am going to do,” he said.
As the cameras cut back to the judges, Richie summed it up perfectly: “That boy right there was possessed.” To which Underwood replied, “By the Holy Spirit.”
“You have never seen me act like that before,” Richie added.
Hill’s audition may have been for a singing competition, but it turned into a moment of worship, and America took notice.
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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.
