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American Idol remains one of the most watched programs on television, and has its share of Christians among the contestants. Though some have expressed skepticism that believers can have any impact on a show with "idol" in its title, three finalists from the nation's biggest singing competition have demonstrated you don't have to win it all to be relevant or on a stage to make a difference. Mandisa, Chris Sligh, and Phil Stacey all made it into the Top 12 of the popular singing competition, but none of them walked away the top winner—Mandisa placed ninth in Season 5, while Chris placed tenth in Season 6 and Phil made it to the Top 6 that same year. Nevertheless, all three landed record deals and have plenty of stories about the relationships they forged behind the scenes. And since their time on the show, American Idol has become more tolerant and receptive of Christianity, never more clearly demonstrated than a live performance of "Shout to the Lord" on national television. Did these contestants play some small part in that? All three vocal sensations were more than willing to walk us through their Idol experience and share how their faith was demonstrated throughout.

Mandisa: 'There was great camaraderie overall. We would always pray together before we would go on stage to sing, and we'd always talk about the Lord. We would even have Bible studies on the tour.'

Why did each of you audition for Idol in the first place? What were your hopes and expectations?

Mandisa I auditioned because I've watched the show since the first season—I'm addicted to it! And I knew it was my last year to do it because of their age limit. I didn't expect much. I certainly didn't think I'd make it much further than the first round.

Even though you're an experience professional, leading big worship conferences with Beth Moore and Travis Cottrell?

Mandisa I would've been completely content being a worship leader and background singer for the rest of my life. But I don't want to get to the end of my life wondering "What if?" I want to live with no regrets. I never envisioned this huge career, but I'm so thankful for what's happened now.

How about you, Chris?

Sligh I actually tried out for two years in a row—Season 4 and Season 5—and had never made it past the first round.

Mandisa That's the hardest part.

Sligh It is the hardest, when you have just 15 to 30 seconds to impress somebody a cappella. I only tried out [for Season 6] because a friend told me to. I didn't really care. My band was doing really well and we were starting to get major label interest, but I was like, "I don't need American Idol." Wise as my friend was, he said, "Look, I'll pay for you to go now because I really think that you'll regret this if you don't." So I went thinking it'd just be for fun, and maybe I'd get to meet another famous person out of it. I was completely goofing off and being silly [during the audition process], even joking around with the judges before I started singing—and then I made it through. I think it was partly because I was not nervous that time, but I really have no other explanation than to say it was God's timing. I had done it two years in a row thinking I have to make it on American Idol. Then I tried out on a whim without hanging my hopes on it, and God opened so many other doors beyond what I could have seen.

Mandisa I've said the same thing. There were so many incredible singers that I heard the day of the audition—amazing and much better than me. They were certainly people that were better looking than me. A lot of it has to do with looks. So the only explanation I have for being able to make it all those rounds is to say that the Lord wanted me to do it and the Lord really did bring me to the place where I was successful. So I can take very little credit for what happened.

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