American Idol Season 24 returned for its third round of auditions at Belmont University in Nashville — and it didn’t take long for one contestant to set the tone for the night.
Jordan McCullough, a 27-year-old worship director from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, opened the two-hour episode with a performance that felt less like an audition and more like a moment of worship.
A lifelong fan of the show, McCullough shared that music has been part of his life since childhood. “That’s where I got my start — in church,” he told judges Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie. “I didn’t know any of this was possible outside of the choir stand. I was four years old, singing in the choir. That’s where it began.”
For his audition, he decided to bring that same spirit to the Idol stage. “We’re going to bring the choir stand here,” he said with a smile. “I’m going to sing ‘Goodness of God.’”
The beloved worship anthem — originally by Bethel Music and Jenn Johnson and later popularized by CeCe Winans — immediately resonated with Underwood, who nodded in approval as the first notes rang out.
From the opening line, McCullough’s voice commanded attention. Rich, resonant, and effortlessly powerful, his vocals filled the room with warmth and conviction. Accompanied by a pianist, he delivered the lyrics with subtle gestures and deep emotional connection, turning the audition space into something far more intimate.
Midway through the performance, Lionel Richie could be seen mouthing a single word: “Wow.”
As McCullough soared into the chorus — “All my life You have been faithful / All my life You have been so, so good…” — his falsetto rang out with clarity and control, prompting the judges to lean forward in their seats.
“Woo! That’ll wake ya!” Underwood exclaimed as the final note lingered in the air.
Bryan teased her, joking that she nearly lifted out of her chair. “She’s flying up out of that seat, levitating.”
“I was! How can you not?” Underwood laughed before turning serious. “You’ve been given an incredible gift, and I love that you use it. The first two words out of your mouth gave me chills. It felt like worship. It wasn’t forced — it was genuine. We were all in the moment with you.”
Bryan praised the sheer size of McCullough’s voice, calling it “big enough to fill up any room.” Richie echoed the sentiment, adding, “Idol University has been waiting for you. It’s mesmerizing because it’s not just singing — it’s presence. And that’s something we can’t teach.”
The result was unanimous. Three yeses. A Golden Ticket. A standing wave of momentum heading into Hollywood Week.
As McCullough walked offstage with his ticket in hand, one thing was clear: this wasn’t just another strong audition. It was a reminder of the power of authenticity — and the kind of voice that doesn’t just impress, but moves people.
If his first performance is any indication, viewers can expect many more goosebump-inducing moments in the weeks ahead.
American Idol airs Mondays at 8/7c on ABC and streams the next day on Hulu.
