Breanna Nix's ‘American Idol' Consolation Prize: A Billboard No. 1
Breanna Nix's 'Higher' debuts at No. 1 on the Christian Digital Song Sales chart after her American ... More Idol season 23 third-place finish. AMERICAN IDOL - "818 (Disney Night #2)" "Disney Night" continues with heroes, villains and a special appearance by Lin-Manuel Miranda. The Top 5 travel to Disneyland Resort and perform twice as America votes live for the three heading to the finale. MONDAY, MAY 12 (8:00-10:01 p.m. EDT) on ABC. (Disney/Christopher Willard) BREANNA NIX (Photo by Christopher Willard/Disney via Getty Images)
The latest season of American Idol, which concluded on May 18, was one of the most exciting in recent memory. Several of the top contestants ended up releasing tracks that immediately became bestselling hits following the show's conclusion. Some years, only the winner manages to make any impact on the Billboard charts — and there have been times when even that doesn't happen. Season 23 was so chock-full of talent that even the singer who came in third place has managed to reach No. 1 on a chart in the United States.
Breanna Nix finished in third this season, ending up behind runner-up John Foster and ultimate winner Jamal Roberts. While she didn't take the crown, Nix does reach a number of Billboard rankings with her solo single "Higher," which has become a strong seller and demonstrates that — even without a win — there may be a market for her voice following the conclusion of the show.
"Higher" debuts at No. 1 on the Christian Digital Song Sales chart this week. It marks Nix's first leader on a Billboard tally. The tune replaces "Hard Fought Hallelujah" by Brandon Lake, which has turned out to be not just a winner on the Christian charts, but also a crossover success — one that has placed on Billboard's rock rankings and risen high on the Hot 100 as well.
Nix's tune sold well enough to reach not just the Christian Digital Song Sales chart, but also the all-genre Digital Song Sales ranking. On that roster, it opens at No. 4, thanks to a little under 4,700 pure purchases (per Luminate).
Sales powered "Higher" onto one of Billboard's consumption-based rankings as well. The tune lands at No. 40 on the Hot Christian Songs ranking, which lists the most popular tracks in that style by blending pure purchases, streaming activity, and radio airplay. Since she's a brand new artist with minimal promotional might, it seems that sales are largely to thank for "Higher" becoming a top 40 hit on the Christian-only tally.
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