Won Won ‘American Idol’? Season 23 Winner Revealed After Live Finale
Finale
Finale night for Season 23 of American Idol is finally here. The Top 3 — John Foster, Breanna Nix, and Jamal Roberts — took the stage one last time, and the singer who earned the most viewer votes throughout the three-hour finale was named the winner.
Amid the show, viewers were treated to performances from artists including Jessica Simpson, Good Charlotte, Patti LaBelle, Goo Goo Dolls and more. Plus, judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie offered their feedback and hit the stage to perform themselves.
Following the Top 3’s first two performances, the person with the least amount of votes was eliminated, with the winner chosen from the remaining two at the end of the night. Scroll down for a recap of the night and to find out who won.
John Foster
For the first round of competition, the Top 3 provided a list of their favorite songs, and artist in residence Jelly Roll picked which one they performed. For John, it was “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue” by the late Toby Keith.
ABC
John’s performance had all three judges standing on their feet. “That’s the way you work it for American Idol. Perfect song, my friend, and you just nailed it,” Richie gushed.
“It’s the time to pull out all the stops and you’re pulling out all the stops,” Underwood added. “I’m so proud of you and all that you’ve accomplished throughout this entire competition. I felt like I was at the John Foster concert.”
Jamal Roberts
Jelly Roll picked “First Time” by Teeks for his first performance. Jamal sang this back on TikTok in 2024, so this was a major full circle moment.
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“You are just so talented and I feel like tonight, you just look so comfortable and at ease. The way you’re walking around interacting with everybody, looking down the barrel of the camera, you just feel so comfortable and sound so comfortable and it sounds so good,” Underwood raved.
Bryan jumped in to say, “Will you teach me how to be that smooth? It is SMOOTH. When we leave the set and go back home and people ask me about you, I’m just like, ‘He’s so smooth with his delivery.’ You’re always hooked up with your look. Everything about you is a star.”
Breanna Nix
Breanna’s faith “anchored” her into the show, according to Jelly Roll, which is why he picked “In Jesus Name” by Katy Nichole for her to sing.
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“You’ve just been amazingly solid all year. You deliver week in and week out,” Bryan gushed. “You have such a special heart and thing about you. You just keep singing the music that you love. … You’re amazing.”
Richie added, “I don’t want to take such a reverent moment to announce what I’m seeing here tonight. This has turned into a slugfest. What I’m saying is, every one of you in your own lane has a career forever. And your belief has always shone through. Stay on your path.”
John Foster
During John’s hometown visit, he broke down in tears as she sang his original song “Tell That Angel That I Love Her,” which he dedicated to his late friend Maggie. When he returned to the stage for his second performance of the night, he sang “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”
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“I want to see your birth certificate one last time,” Richie noted, referencing how much older John seems than his 18 years. Underwood raved, “That was such a great thing to watch just reminding us of the journey you’ve been on with us. Great song choice. Everybody at home was singing, everybody here was singing.”
Jamal Roberts
Jamal was welcomed home to Meridian, Mississippi, with a hero’s welcome. After the incredible homecoming, he returned to the Idol stage to sing “Just My Imagination” by The Temptations
ABC
“You just did, so far tonight, what you’ve kind of been doing all season long. You can sing things that are contemporary and it fits. You can sing things that are throwback and it fits. You have this incredible ability to make things your own and it all sounds fresh, and new, and fun,” Underwood told Jamal.
“You’re one of the most amazing people that I’ve ever seen on this show,” Bryan added.
Breanna Nix
Breanna got some love from her hometown in Texas before giving the final performance of round one. This time, she sang “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus.
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“What a perfect song choice, totally … I felt like I just watched a six-minute movie and you just took me on an unbelievable ride. Congratulations. What a feeling you just gave me,” Bryan told Breanna.
Richie said, “Perfect song, perfect voice, perfect presentation, and very moving.”
Who came in third place on American Idol 2025?
Unfortunately, it was then time to say goodbye to one of the Top 3. The singer with the least amount of votes after round one was Breanna Nix, which meant she was eliminated from the competition. John and Jamal moved on.
John Foster
ABC
After Bryan sang his new single “A Country Song Came On,” he was joined by John for a rendition of “Deeper Than the Holler” by Randy Travis. It was the perfect country boy pairing halfway through the night!
Jamal Roberts and Jelly Roll
ABC
Jamal got to do his duet with Jelly Roll. They sang the country singer’s songs “Liar” and “Unpretty.” It was a duet weeks in the making, as Jamal previously sang “Liar” earlier in the competition.
John Foster
For the final performances of the night, John and Jamal each sang their first singles. For John, it was his original song “Tell That Angel That I Love Her.” As always, it was a touching performance of a song that holds such powerful meaning to him.
ABC
Jamal Roberts
Jamal’s first single is his version of “Heal” by Tom Odell, which he sang earlier this season and it resonated heavily with fans. He crushed it once again during his final performance of the night.
ABC
Who won American Idol 2025?
Finally, at the very end of the show, the winner was revealed. Ryan Seacrest made the announcement. The winner of American Idol Season 23 is … Jamal Roberts!
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Conversation51 Comments
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Comments are closed on this story.
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All of the singers were great! I just hate when people say that the singer that didn’t win was robbed or nobody wants country music! That is not true. We had an Amazing season of some amazing artists. The American people voted! Please respect the process. This was not the presidential election. This is American Idol! I pray that they all rise to success. God bless each of them💕❤️
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Jamal roberts
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John foster
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IMO they all are very talented I believe Breanna and John didn’t win so they can further their careers by not being locked in to American Idol rules
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Congrats to the three top finalists. Any one of them could have won and I would have been happy. I think all 3 will have much success.
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My boy John!
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Hell no .. John was so much better!;;
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CONGRATULATIONS JAMAL ROBERTS. I had grown disappointed with American Idol, but This year’s competition was so good. All the artist were so talented.
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This is the type of sentence the article failed to cover!!
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Congratulations Jamal 🥳👏👏 Job well done, brilliant voice. You deserved this. Also congratulations to the 2 runner up👏👏
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So upset Brianna didn’t win - best voice by far!!!
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absolutely incredible voice 🤩🤩🤩
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Totally agree,disappointing
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But she wasnt serious about a career..she woukdnt leave her family to tour or gigs. Jamal.was my pick and i was happy he won..
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John for sure
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John all the way!!
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Jamal Roberts for sure
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Congratulations to Jamal Roberts!
Awesome singer. Continue and much success, looking forward to your first album and concert.
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What guy with guitar, John.
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You mean "that" guy?
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jamal roberts
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THE COWBOY WAS ROBBED.
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I think Caucasians are being overlooked!!
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I suspect (as w/Clay Aikens' loss) people of Ruben/Jamal's ethnicity "ganged up" and voted in masses cuz they had "one of their own" in the finale. All four were very good. I'm just sayin'...& I've got an opinion like all y'all. Ya should only be able to vote one time in the finale. If ya flooded the phone lines, you got away with it...
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“Ganged up”?? Excuse yourself using such discriminatory reference to “people” supporting real and raw talent regardless of skin color. There were several people of color who competed. If any of them won, would you say the same?
If anyone “ganged up” to vote their own in position, it was the last presidential election resulting in Trump as president and statistics show he’s done a horrible job. The ignorance is baffling…
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Very Happy. Put God First At all Times
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Don't watch American Idol but more than a country artist needs to win!
Reason I stopped watching the Voice!
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I just wanna know how Jelly Roll just performed live on American Idol when he’s literally in concert in Detroit right now ?!?!
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Yes, portions of American Idol, including those featuring celebrity guests, are often pre-recorded, especially in the earlier stages of a season. While the finale and voting results are live, much of the show, including celebrity guests and the contestants' performances, can be taped as if live. This allows for flexibility and preparation, ensuring the show can continue even if unforeseen technical issues arise.
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An amazing top three. Jamal was my pick to win it all. However, John and Breanna are amazingly talented people , and will succeed in all they do in their future careers.Congratulations to these top three, and to all who participated this season in delivering one of the best American Idol shows this season!
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No surprise whatsoever.
It was inevitable.
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My husband and I agree that he saw the winner. You could tell by the look on his face when he glanced over to the envelope. He is still very good and I’m sure he will be offered a contract with someone.
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I thought this was one of the best seasons ever. Top 10 were all incredible. Top 5 who could choose???
John was my favorite but I loved them all. Congratulations Jamal.
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How to vote
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John Foster
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This article didn’t give nearly as much attention in words or image representation of the actual American Idol winner as it should’ve. The bias is apparent as John the desired winner, and that shouldn’t be. Why is the winner revealed last and not first? Why select smaller images to include in the article of the winner but choose huge close ups of John the runner up.
If John had won, I promise the headline would be different and there’s be more huge images than you can count in this article.
So disappointing to read.
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No not Jamal! Breanne should be the winner!!! I’m very disappointed. She has the more power voice and beautiful voice.
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Love American idols
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Breanna Nix
Awesome Awesome Awesome
Vote Vote Vote
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I am so proud of Jamal Robert’s! He could sing the phone book and have you in Awe! Heal, Heal, Heal!!!! God bless this young man! Alway keep God first❤️
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Brianna
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Thank God. He always left me crying. He touch my heart. I watched his YouTube videos and sent to family and friends. I love his spirit, honesty and our helpful Jamal is to other. So proud. God bless.
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He won it “hands down “ CONGRATULATIONS
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Congrats to my fellow Meridian boy... you deserve it you made your hometown proud tonight such an honor
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Jamal should have not won. Brianna should have won. Guys are winning every year. Jamal just screams and can't understand what he is saying. He won because he was black. We have ENOUGH black screaming singers. REALLY
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Who really cares
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If uniterested you would not be onthis site
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Jamal Robert, congratulations 👏 👏 👏
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