Los Angeles, May 30, 2025 — The American Idol Season 23 finale on May 18 was a night of powerful performances, nail-biting suspense, and tear-jerking moments, but none were as unforgettable as the emotional scene that unfolded when finalist Breanna Nix took the stage with her four-year-old son, Emerson, to sing her new single “Higher.” The 25-year-old stay-at-home mom from Denton, Texas, who captured the hearts of millions with her angelic voice and unwavering faith, shared a moment that transcended the competition, reminding viewers of the profound bond between a mother and her child. As Breanna’s voice soared through the lyrics of “Higher,” with Emerson by her side, the audience, judges, and fans at home were left in tears, witnessing a performance that was as much about love as it was about music.
Breanna Nix’s journey on American Idol has been nothing short of remarkable. Born on August 7, 1999, in Denton, Texas, she grew up in a musical Christian household, the youngest of three siblings, where her parents led worship at a local Pentecostal church. She began singing at the age of four, her voice echoing through the pews, a talent she later honed at Ozark Bible Institute in Missouri after high school. Her early influences—Carrie Underwood, Lauren Daigle, and Adele—taught her not only how to sing but how to feel through music, blending power with vulnerability in a way that would eventually make her a standout on American Idol. Yet, despite her natural talent, Breanna’s path to the national stage was anything but straightforward. As a stay-at-home mom to Emerson, whom she shares with her husband, Austin, she had all but set aside her dreams of a music career, focusing instead on her family.
That changed in the fall of 2024, when Breanna secretly submitted an audition tape to American Idol, a decision she didn’t even share with Austin. “I submitted a video and didn’t tell anyone,” she revealed in an interview with Good Housekeeping. “I forgot about it. Didn’t tell my husband. Didn’t tell anybody.” Two months later, an email arrived, offering her a chance to sing for the judges, and with Austin and Emerson in tow, she performed a stunning rendition of Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” The audition was a defining moment: Underwood, holding a sleepy Emerson in her lap, teared up, telling Breanna, “Never say, ‘I’m just a stay-at-home mom.’ You have the most important job.” All three judges—Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie—voted yes, sending her to Hollywood with a golden ticket and setting the stage for her transformative journey.
Throughout the season, Breanna proved herself as more than just a vocalist—she became a storyteller, weaving her faith and personal experiences into every performance. From Lauren Daigle’s “You Say” during Hollywood Week to Adele’s “Water Under the Bridge” in the Top 10, she showcased a versatility that blended contemporary Christian, country, and pop, earning her a spot in the Top 3 alongside Jamal Roberts and John Foster. Her performances were marked by emotional clarity and a quiet resilience, reflecting her own struggles and triumphs. After giving birth to Emerson, Breanna weighed over 300 pounds, a challenge she overcame by losing 160 pounds, a journey she shared on Instagram to inspire others as a health coach. Her drive to sing was also fueled by hardship: in 2019, during her honeymoon, her nephew Josh went into sudden heart failure, a moment that tested her faith but ultimately strengthened her resolve to use music as a source of healing.
The finale on May 18 was a celebration of Breanna’s journey, but it was her performance of “Higher” that became the night’s emotional pinnacle. The single, released just before the finale, had already made waves, charting at number one on iTunes in the country genre the following day and later reaching the top spot on Apple’s Country chart, as reported by ChurchLeaders. Originally written by acclaimed singer-songwriter Toby Lightman, “Higher” is a powerful anthem about motherhood, authenticity, and resilience, themes that resonated deeply with Breanna. Lightman, who co-wrote the song with Shane Stevens and Nash Overstreet after becoming a mother, described it as a reflection on the challenges of embracing identity in an industry obsessed with youth. Breanna’s rendition, with its vocally charged interpretation, honored the song’s emotional depth while adding her own layer of maternal love.
As Breanna prepared for her second solo performance of the night, following a faith-filled rendition of Katy Nichole’s “In Jesus Name (God of Possible)” that left the judges in awe, she made a spontaneous decision that would etch the moment into American Idol history. After a montage aired of her recent hometown visit to Denton—where hundreds of fans gathered for a parade and concert on the downtown Square—she stepped onto the stage with Emerson in her arms, his tiny hand clutching a toy microphone. The crowd erupted in cheers as Breanna, dressed in a flowing white gown, smiled at her son, whispering, “You ready to sing with Mommy?” Emerson, with his curly hair and bright eyes, nodded shyly, unaware of the millions watching.
The opening chords of “Higher” began, and Breanna’s voice filled the room, rich and powerful, as she sang the lyrics that spoke to her journey as a mother and artist: “I’m reaching for the sky, I’ll never say goodbye, I’ll take us higher.” Emerson, standing beside her, held his toy microphone to his mouth, mimicking his mother’s movements with a childlike innocence that melted hearts. At one point, he dropped the toy and wrapped his arms around Breanna’s leg, prompting her to scoop him up mid-song, holding him close as she belted the chorus. The sight of mother and son, their voices blending in a moment of pure love, brought the audience to its feet, with many visibly wiping away tears.
The judges were equally moved. Luke Bryan, who had earlier praised Breanna’s “special heart,” remarked, “That was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen on this stage. You and Emerson just showed us what this is all about—love, family, and music.” Lionel Richie, who noted that Breanna’s faith had always shone through, added, “You’ve given us a memory we’ll never forget. That little boy is your biggest fan, and so are we.” Carrie Underwood, tears streaming down her face, could barely speak. “I’m a mess,” she admitted, laughing through her sobs. “You’re an incredible mom, Breanna, and seeing you share this moment with Emerson—it’s everything.”
The emotional weight of the performance wasn’t lost on Breanna, who had often spoken about Emerson as her greatest inspiration. “He’s my why,” she told the cameras during her audition, a sentiment that echoed throughout her American Idol journey. Fans on social media were quick to share their reactions, with one X user writing, “Breanna Nix singing ‘Higher’ with her son Emerson had me sobbing. That’s what music should be—pure love.” Another commented, “She may not have won the title, but Breanna won our hearts tonight. That moment with her little boy was magic.”
Although Breanna placed third behind winner Jamal Roberts and runner-up John Foster, her performance of “Higher” with Emerson marked the beginning of a new chapter. Just days after the finale, she announced her Grand Ole Opry debut on June 5, 2025, a bucket-list moment she shared on Instagram with palpable joy. “Higher” continued to climb the charts, reaching number one on both iTunes and Apple’s Country charts, a testament to its resonance with listeners. Breanna also revealed plans for her debut EP, tentatively titled Grace for This, set for release in early 2026 under a Nashville-based Christian label, focusing on themes of faith, family, and healing.
For Breanna, the American Idol finale was more than a competition—it was a celebration of her journey as a mother, a Christian, and an artist. Her emotional moment with Emerson, singing “Higher” under the bright lights of the Idol stage, encapsulated everything she stands for: love, resilience, and the belief that music can lift us to new heights. As she continues to soar in her career, partnering with nonprofits to raise awareness about maternal mental health and singing at her local church, Breanna Nix has shown the world that the greatest victories aren’t always measured by titles—they’re measured by the hearts we touch along the way.
