‘American Idol’s’ Christian Connection

An Los Angeles Times Article by Scott Collins about some Christians and ministries involved with ‘American Idol’…

(EXCERPT) She isn’t employed by the show and viewers never see her sparring with Simon Cowell. But Leesa Bellesi exerts her own kind of pull on “American Idol,” Fox’s top-rated singing contest that has a unique if often-unstated link to Christian churches.

Bellesi, who runs a Christian nonprofit in Lake Forest with her ex-pastor husband, visits tapings frequently, has befriended numerous finalists and helps wrangle funds and scout temporary housing for families who trek cross-country to see relatives perform on “Idol.” Bellesi said that churches form a base for the young singers as they try to win votes and establish fan bases. Half of the Top 10 last season were worship leaders in their churches, she said.

“Most of the kids that have been really successful on ‘American Idol’ have that huge support of their church that’s pushed them — they’ve had a lot of voting and things like that,” said Bellesi, who has no official connection to the show (a spokesperson for the producers said he had never heard of her) but was spoken of as an unofficial patron by former finalists Danny Gokey, Jason Castro and others.

Ties to churches — especially of the evangelical or Pentecostal variety — are indeed a common denominator for many contestants on America’s No. 1 show, including this season’s Aaron Kelly, Lacey Brown and Jermaine Sellers. Castro, who placed fourth on Season 7 and just released his first album, played one of his first pre-”Idol” gigs at Lake Pointe, a suburban Dallas mega-church he attends that’s known for its sophisticated musical performances.

With many contestants having honed their vocal skills at black churches and suburban megachurches, “Idol” has been embraced by Christian communities across the nation. Congregations have launched enthusiastic viewing parties and vote drives for favorites. Perhaps more important, the contestants’ church training has deeply influenced the songs and musical styles viewers hear on “Idol” and helped launch the careers of faith-based singers, such as George Huff and Mandisa, as well as secular pop artists. The show has projected to an audience of tens of millions an image of heartland youth driven by faith and strong family values. That’s an important source of appeal for a nation that according to a 2007 Pew Research Center survey identifies itself as 78% Christian.

Meanwhile, religious ties are not a theme the show’s creators are eager to explore. Spokespersons for Fremantle Media and 19 Entertainment, which make “Idol,” said that an executive producer would not be available to comment for this story.

But industry veterans nevertheless say that “Idol” and many of today’s Christian churches are made for one another.

Read the FULL ARTICLE HERE at LATimes.com.

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