“That was so beautiful” American Idol judge Carrie Underwood reacts to Breanna Nix’s performance honoring her mother 

Sunday night's episode of American Idol combined Disney magic with Mother's Day sentiment as the top seven contestants fought for their spot in the competition. With just one week until the Season 23 finale, emotions ran high as contestants performed Disney classics followed by heartfelt tributes to maternal figures in their lives. Among the standout moments was Breanna Nix's moving performance dedicated to her mother, which left judge Carrie Underwood visibly moved.

"That was so beautiful. Your voice, the song, the moments. All of it," Underwood remarked, fighting back tears following Nix's rendition of "Like My Mother Does."

The touching performance came during the show's special Disney Night/Mother's Day episode, where contestants were mentored by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the acclaimed songwriter behind hits from "Moana" and "Encanto."

The high-stakes episode culminated in a double elimination that sent two contestants home, leaving only five to advance based on viewer votes. After 20 million votes were tallied, the night proved pivotal in determining who would continue their journey toward the American Idol crown.

What happened in this episode of American Idol?

The remaining contestants delivered performances that spanned from celebratory to deeply personal. Thunderstorm Artis impressed with "Colors of the Wind" from "Pocahontas" before debuting an original song for his wife that prompted host Ryan Seacrest to joke about his own single status.

Breanna Nix's Disney selection, "Reflection" from "Mulan," showcased her vocal control before she moved on to her Mother's Day tribute on American Idol. Lin-Manuel Miranda had challenged her during mentoring to "keep her eyes open and let the audience in" during powerful moments - advice that clearly paid off.

Following her emotional Mother's Day tribute, the American Idol judges didn't hold back their praise. Luke Bryan noted her complete vocal command:

"You are always in total control. You never look like you don't have total reigns on your voice. That song was a perfect choice for you."

Lionel Richie added to the compliments, focusing on her stage presence:

"You have poise and grace. What I'm loving the most is when you finally just stretch out. You make this song so emotional, so passionate, and the fact that you pull that off is amazing."

But it was Carrie Underwood's emotional reaction that captured the moment perfectly as she admitted:

"I honestly was fighting back tears. You just look like you belong exactly where you are."

The road ahead for Breanna Nix

The double elimination left Gabby Samone and Mattie Pruitt heading home, making Breanna Nix the only woman remaining in the competition. She joins Slater Nalley, John Foster, Jamal Roberts, and Thunderstorm Artis in the top five.

Breanna, the 25-year-old from Denton, Texas, has consistently impressed throughout the season. She has never landed at the bottom of voting results and frequently tops viewer polls. If she continues her streak to victory, she would become only the fourth female winner since ABC revived the show in 2018.

With Monday bringing the conclusion of American Idol Disney Week and another round of eliminations looming, only three contestants will ultimately advance to the final week. As the competition intensifies, Breanna's emotional connection with the audience and technical prowess might just carry her all the way to the American Idol crown.

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You can watch American Idol Season 23 live on ABC every Sunday at 8 p.m. ET/PT, with new episodes available for streaming the next day on Hulu.

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