Stay-at-Home Mom Breanna Nix Wins Third Place on ‘American Idol’

When Breanna Nix auditioned for American Idol, the native of Denton, Texas never guessed that she would earn a “golden ticket” to Hollywood, much less make it to the season finale.

The show wrapped up its 23rd season on Sunday, May 18, with a three-hour season finale featuring contestants from the show, multiple performances from the season’s Top 3 finalists, and songs from Salt-N-Pepa, Jessica Simpson, Good Charlotte and Jelly Roll.

With 26 million votes counted from viewers nationwide, Jamal Roberts, a P.E. teacher from Meridian, Mississippi, was declared the winner, beating out runner-up John Foster, and Nix, who took third place after being eliminated halfway through the episode.

During the finale, Nix performed a stirring rendition of “In Jesus Name,” which was selected for her by Jelly Roll, the show’s “artist in residence.”

Nix also sang a duet with Christian singer and songwriter Brandon Lake, performing his song “Daddy’s DNA.” Lake is a worship pastor at Seacoast Church in Charleston, South Carolina.

When Nix auditioned for the show, which aired during the season’s second episode on March 9, the hopeful walked into the audition room with her husband and young son, Emerson. She faced returning judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and newly minted judge Carrie Underwood, who won American Idol season four.

She presented Emerson as her “sidekick,” whom Underwood warmly invited to sit with her while Breanna auditioned.

When Nix introduced herself to the judges, she remarked self-deprecatingly, “I’m 25 years old; I’m just a stay-at-home mom.” Underwood replied, “Never say, ‘I’m just a stay-at-home mom.’”

“You have the most important job,” Underwood asserted, adding as she looked at Emerson, “And I’m sure he loves it.”

In an interview that aired during her audition, Nix explained, “Being a stay-at-home mom, it’s chaotic, it’s crazy.”

“[But] it’s one of the most amazing things that has ever been able to happen in my life,” she shared. “Emerson is a blessing that I didn’t know I needed.” Nix went on to share that the birth of her son inspired her weight loss journey.

“Right after I had my son, I was over 315 pounds,” she said. “I just remember being in the delivery room and just looking down at him knowing that if I wanted to be the best mom that I could, that this lifestyle wasn’t going to work. And I decided to lose weight.”

“I’m [auditioning for American Idol] because I want Emerson to know that anything is possible,” Nix asserted. “He’s watching his mama go chase after her dreams. I just hope one day that he’ll do the same thing.”

Nix spoke openly and often about her Christian faith while on American Idol. She often sang Christian worship songs, including Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel” during her audition, Brandon Lake’s “Gratitude” and Danny Gokey’s “Tell Your Heart to Beat Again.”

Nix garnered much support from stay-at-home moms during her time on the show, reflecting in an interview with WFAA, “It’s just been awesome to know that I have moms cheering me on and also at the same time encouraging them to chase their own dreams.”

During the season finale, Nix said that other than giving birth to her son Emerson, American Idol was the “best thing” that ever happened to her.

Congratulations to Breanna Nix on her third-place finish on American Idol. More than likely, we’ll hear much more from the up-and-coming musician in the months and years to come.

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