Sunday Best - Season 9

Contestants audition in front of the judges, who must narrow the field from 20 to 12; the first half of the roster includes an engineer and someone related to soul group The Staple Singers.

Contestants audition in front of the judges, who must narrow the field from 20 to 12; the second half of the roster includes two sisters and a performer who found stardom as a child.

The top 12 contenders must compete in pairs by singing the same song; in this challenge, the contestants will have the opportunity to showcase their individual vocal styles and set themselves apart from each other.

All eight competitors take a popular R&B song and remix it with a gospel twist; then, they hit the stage and perform their newly transformed song before the judges.

The seven contestants hit the Sunday Best stage dressed in costumes to perform songs from classic gospel movie scenes.

The six remaining contestants honor singer Aretha Franklin's legacy, exploring her gospel roots and tackling unforgettable songs from the Aretha Franklin songbook.

Five hopefuls take center stage while being backed by the award-winning New Direction Gospel Choir of Tennessee State University; in the tradition of great choir soloists, the singers compete to harness the power of the choir.

Contestants go back to where it all began -- church; in a homecoming of sorts, competitors go to a local church where they perform in front the congregation.

The three remaining singers must connect with their inner selves and perform twice; family members assist them in choosing a personal song; singer-songwriter Makeba Riddick-Woods helps them pen an original song; one contestant is eliminated.

The winner is announced during an all-star gospel celebration.