American Idol Finalists Who are Christian

We first saw Colton and his sister Schyler in 2011 when they auditioned for the show. Not making the Top 24, Schyler made a second attempt in 2012 and Colton was there for moral support. The judges insisted that he audition too and they both got the golden tickets to Hollywood. Schyler didn't make it to the end, but Colton went all the way.

While the show didn't focus on his faith, Colton's facebook left no doubt as to how strong it is. When he was warned by the show's producers that his "religious statements" could cost him the AI crown, he still didn't budge, saying that he would rather please God than please man.

Colton was voted off on April 26, 2012.

• Colton Dixon Haircut

When Erika was a little girl, her mother encouraged her to join her sister in singing in the children's choir at church. By the time she was seven, her strong vocal talents landed her a spot singing solo with the adult choir. She lists one of her major musical influences as Kim Burrell.

Erika was voted off on March 22, 2012.

The 22-year-old Korean-American nonprofit organizer from New York holds the distinction of being the first male contestant of East Asian descent to make it all the way to the Top 13. His personal twitter account announces his faith to the world by saying, "ALL FOR GOD ALL BY GOD" in the "about me" section.

Heejun made it to the top 9, being eliminated on March 29, 2012.

The 19-year-old receptionist at an infectious disease clinic from Florida was the first contestant voted off of Season 11. Rosado, who also serves as the Worship Leader at his church, LifeChanging International Ministry, didn't let that slow him down. He appeared the following Monday on Live With Kelly and performed "Gravity" by Shawn McDonald.

Jeremy lists Francesca Battistelli, Kirk Franklin and Israel Houghton as his favorite artists.

Jeremy was eliminated on March 8, 2012.

Joshua Ledet comes from a strong church background. The son of a pastor, he sings every week at the House of Prayer Holiness Church in his hometown of Westlake, Louisiana with his seven siblings. Josh and his brother Jason write most of the songs they sing.

When Jacob Lusk made the American Idol finals in season 10, he brought with him years of church choir experience and talent that brought the crowd and the judges to their feet. The spa concierge from Compton was a featured performer at the Spiritual Experience Celebration 2010 with gospel stars Vanessa Bell Armstrong and Ben Tankard.

In a stand-out Idol moment, Randy Jackson called Jacob's performance of "God Bless The Child" during Hollywood week the best in the show's history.

Season 9 finalist Didi Benami was a waitress living in Los Angeles when she made it to the AI finals. The former student at Belmont University said that the death of her best friend, Rebecca Joy Lear, gave her inspiration to try out.

Didi was the third finalist to go home in Season 9.

Lacey Brown was the first finalist to go home in season nine, getting voted off of the show on March 17. The daughter of the co-pastors of Victory Church in Amarillo, Texas, Lacey worked with the college youth at the church before trying out for AI for the second time. She made it to Hollywood week in Season 8, but did not make the cut to the final 12.

When Tim Urban auditioned for American Idol in 2009, he was no stranger to the stage, having been performing around Dallas with his band at various churches and events. The member of Actors, Models and Talent for Christ (AMTC) was supported online by the blog "Vote for the Worst," but that wasn't enough to keep him from going home on April 21st.

Danny Gokey came to American Idol's 8th season as a church music director from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His story about losing his wife Sophie a mere month before his audition won the hearts of America and his talent and humble spirit took him deeper in. He finished the season as the third place finalist.

In 2009, Gokey signed with 19 Recordings/RCA Nashville and released My Best Days, a country album. He was nominated a year later as the Best New/Breakthrough Artist at the first annual American Country Awards but lost out to Easton Corbin.