Mere months after Breanna Nix swooned over meeting chart-topping Contemporary Christian artist Brandon Lake via FaceTime during Hollywood Week on “American Idol” season 23, Nix can’t believe she’s featured on his deluxe album. Interestingly, she’s not the only “American Idol” alum on the record.

On June 16, 2025, Nix, a 25-year-old mom from Denton, Texas, revealed that the live duet she sang with Lake on the season finale — when they collaborated on his song “Daddy’s DNA” — is included on the new deluxe version of his album “King of Hearts.”

Captioning a series of videos and photos with Lake, who became a friend and cheerleader throughout the season, third-place finisher Nix wrote on social media, “I still can’t believe it… from FaceTiming @brandonlake on American Idol to getting the chance to sing a duet with him on national television — and now being featured on his DELUXE ALBUM 😭🙏🏽🤯🤯”

Breanna Nix Says She ‘Dreamed’ About Working With Someone Like Brandon Lake

In her post, Nix included a video from the day during Hollywood Week when she and her Head-to-Head performance partner Rylie O’Neill — who has become one of her best friends — decided to sing Lake’s song “Gratitude” for the judges. The show’s artist-in-residence, Jelly Roll — who scored a huge hit with Lake on “Hard Fought Hallelujah” — surprised the Nix and O’Neill by FaceTiming Lake backstage, and then letting him give them his glowing feedback.

Lake appeared several times on the show, meeting and singing with Nix as she continued to advance through each round, including their duet on the finale.

Thrilled to appear on his album, Nix wrote in her June 16 post, “This is something I’ve dreamed about for so long. To collaborate with someone I admire not just as an artist, but as a worshipper — it’s a dream I can finally say has come true.”

“I’m beyond grateful,” she continued. “God’s faithfulness blows me away. Thank you Brandon for believing in me, and thank you God for opening doors no one else could. 🙌🏽💛”

Nix has also told fans she’s working on her own music, planning on a mix of country and contemporary Christian, with a goal of always inspiring and uplifting others.

Breanna Nix’s First Single Knocked Brandon Lake’s Song Out of Top Spot on Chart

Ironically, Nix’s first-ever single “Higher,” released by the record label partner of “American Idol” on the eve of the finale, debuted at number one on the Christian Digital Song Sales chart, knocking Lake’s “Hard Fought Hallelujah” out of the top spot,” according to Forbes.

On May 20, two days after the “American Idol” finale, Nix wrote on Instagram about how special it had been performing with and getting to know Lake.

“I’ve looked up to Brandon Lake for years,” she wrote, “and for this to come true feels absolutely surreal! He was on my list of dream duets, and I’m just in awe. Thank you, God, for this moment.”

She continued, “Brandon is one of the most genuine people I’ve ever met—and his entire team radiates that same heart. I honestly feel like I could be best friends with his wife—she’s so sweet and hilarious! Love them both so much. To God be the Glory!”
Nix isn’t the only “American Idol” third-place finisher on Lake’s new deluxe album, though. Gabby Barrett, who placed third in season 16 and has enjoyed a successful country career, also sing a duet of “As For Me & My Heart” on the extended record.