IDOL: Teen Gospel Singer With “God-Given Ability” Earns Rare Platinum Ticket

17-Year-Old Canaan James Hill Leaves American Idol Judges In Awe With Gospel Performance

A young gospel singer walked into his American Idol audition with a dream—and walked out with a Platinum Ticket!

17-year-old Canaan James Hill auditioned for the 23rd season of American Idol. The teen told judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan that he already graduated high school and plans to go into preaching.

When asked why he chose to graduate early, Hill responded, “So that I can go forward with my gift, and do what God has called and chosen me to do.”

From there, Hill moved into covering James Fortune’s song “I Need Your Glory.” Gospel singer Earnest Pugh recorded the track in 2011, and his rendition rose to #1 on the Hot Gospel chart.

Hill’s cover started out soft and subtle. But it didn’t take long before he let his voice soar, showcasing his power as a vocalist.

Richie was amazed, to say the least. He flew back in his chair but found it impossible to sit still. So he jumped to his feet and remained standing for the rest of Hill’s performance.

Gospel Singer Canaan James Hill Earns The Third Platinum Ticket On Season 23 Of American Idol

Richie rushed to Hill’s side after he finished singing. He stared at him in awe and said, “That was powerful.”

As Richie made his way back to the judges’ desk, he added, “…That was something so spectacular, I just can’t even describe what I heard.”

The other judges were equally mesmerized. Carrie Underwood admitted she was “kind of speechless” while also calling Hill’s performance “smooth, but powerful.”

Luke Bryan joked, “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?”

Bryan continued to share his amazement after the fact. Speaking about Hill’s audition on X when his episode aired, Bryan said the teen had a “God-given ability.”

After giving Hill’s audition three “yes” votes, the judges also gave him something even better than a Golden Ticket. They gave him one of the rare Platinum Tickets, making Hill one of only three contestants to receive one this season!

As a Platinum Ticket recipient, Hill gets to bypass the first round of Hollywood Week. Or, as Richie put it, “This means you go all the way to heaven.”

Watch the young gospel singer receive his Platinum Ticket and catch his out-of-this-world performance in the video below.