‘American Idol’s John Foster on Future Plans & If He’d Do ‘Dancing With the Stars’
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John Foster ended Season 23 of American Idol as runner-up behind Jamal Roberts, and he’s not looking to let the momentum slow down anytime soon. Following the Sunday, May 18, finale, the teenager already has plans for what’s next.
First and foremost, he’s going to be promoting his first single, “Tell That Angel I Love Her,” which he wrote about his late friend Maggie Dunn, who was killed in a car accident. “I’m going to push that out as much as possible,” Foster tells TV Insider. “I think it gives people a great idea of who I am as a writer. I wrote that song by myself. It gives people a good glimpse of who I am as an artist and as a writer.”
On top of that, he’s ready to hop in the studio to record his first full album. “I love being in the studio,” he admits.
Meanwhile, ABC usually looks to its Bachelor franchise to search for Dancing With the Stars contestants, but the show’s also had a lot of country crooners on it. Would Foster be interested in checking out the dance competition series? “I never really thought about that,” he says. “I’ll you this – it’s certainly not a no.”
On the more immediate front, Foster is looking forward to being reunited with his dog. “I’ve been missing my dog and so I’m super excited to get back home,” he says with a big smile.
Foster kept his head held high after Ryan Seacrest announced Roberts as the winner. “I’m extremely happy to be here,” he adds. “It’s been such an incredible season. The talent this year has been incredible. To think that I’m No. 2 out of 120,000 [contenders] and out of the Top 24? I mean the Top 24 [this season] were the most incredible 24 I’d ever seen in my life.”
Disney/Christopher Willard
Unlike Foster, who learned his ranking in the last minutes of the show, third place finisher Breanna Nix found out her fate much earlier into the three-hour finale. Does that make things easier or more difficult? “I don’t know,” she says. “I feel like God has ordered every single step that I took on this show, and I feel like it was meant to be this way. I just felt in my stomach that I was going to be the first one out and God just gave me peace.”
Judge Carrie Underwood predicted that country crooner Foster might just win the competition, but Nix says she saw victory coming to Roberts weeks ago.“I heard [Jamal] singing during the first round in Hollywood,” Nix recalls, “and I’ll never forget the feeling that came over me. I thought, ‘He’s going to be the winner. He’s going to win.’”
The stay-at-home mom didn’t know Roberts at this point, but she went over to him, introduced herself, told him her predication, and asked if she could put it on video. “I said, ‘You’re going to win American Idol, dude, and I want to be the one who called it,’” she reveals.
Nix adds that she’ll only post the video with Roberts’ permission. “I said to him [after he won], ‘You remember that video I took,’” she shares. “He’s like, ‘I remember, Breanna.’”
The American Idol history annals have successful singers (Jennifer Hudson, Clay Aiken) in it who did not come in first. That fact is not lost on either Nix or Foster. “I just feel like I’ve already won,” Nix says. “I’ve learned a lot about myself and I’ve grown in so many different areas. I’ve had my first song [“Higher”] come out. That’s such a surreal moment for me. There are so many doors that have opened in just a short amount of time. I’m really excited.”
So, would she like to return to American Idol as either a judge or a mentor someday? “I would love to be a judge,” she says. “A mentor – anything! American Idol will always and forever have a big special place in my heart.”
Nix and Foster are philosophical about their placement in the competition series, both incredibly grateful to have made it to the finale.
“I feel really good,” Nix says. “I’m ready to get out there, tour, and start celebrating.”
“Please be confident in who you are as an artist,” says Foster, offering advice to future contenders. “Never accept failure as a final defeat. Never accept defeat. Do not be discouraged. This is the beginning.”
Conversation99 Comments
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Comments are closed on this story.
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I feel like JAMAL WON BECAUSE THEY KEPT PROMOTING HOW GOOD A PERSON HE IS AND SHOWING HIM WITH HIS DAUGHTERS AND HIS STORY WAS REPEATED SO OFTEN. HE Is A GOOD SINGER EVEN THOUGH I DIDNT really like the songs he sang but I think John foster was certainly the American idol. I think the judges tend to sway the voters In little ways and they knew John will always be a star. Disappointing.
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Yes, and he didn't make those beautiful children on his own. It's disappointing that their mother was never shown. We don't know the situation and it's none of our biz, but still it bugged me.
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She was in the hospital giving birth to daughter number 3.
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The show predetermines who they want to win, I think. Quite evident Jamal was the focus.
Problem with John Foster phone votes? Fishy.
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you are an idiot. the votes are counted and tallied by an independent company that is used by many events like the oscar, other award shows, etc, so get over it. these conspiracy theories are ignorant.
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I am wondering how many of voters were unable to vote for John Foster in the finale. I was blocked and in checking, found others were blocked.
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I heard there were a great many who were blocked.
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Something is fishy. Could not get a vote in. I think it's time one guy and you know I am talking about leaves the show. Did you see Luke's face when the guy won! He was shocked. We were to. I will not watch this show again because your vote doesn't count. Shame on this show!
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Some of us couldn't Vote. Nothing would go through. It was like we were being Blocked. And everyone who complained were trying to Vote for John. Was this on purpose or just a glitch. Who can verify it was not on purpose. Very upset 😡
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same with me. I was voting for John and I was blocked
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I too couldn't vote, couldn't sign in the pin emailed to my spam folder which I found. The pin wouldn't work. My vote was 13 for John.
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Foster was the real winner. DEI?
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YES HE WAS
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I tried to vote several times for John and it wouldn’t go through
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Trying to vote a bunch of times and it would not go through. It Was ridiculous . Would of voted for John a thousand times.
NOT Fair. Scam
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My friends and I had the same problem. We tried several times and was in the time limits too.
So frustrating!!!
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I imagine there were many of us blocked .... the network was obviously biased and capable of blocking votes of many of us.
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Likewise
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Mine to. I couldn't vote for John it wouldn't let me so I did nothing
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I just did. I voted through text messaging with no problem. You must have used the website app. You will need to reload the app each new season. And yes I voted for John.
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I vote for John Foster too but it didn't get through... Why....? Juz wonder 🤔
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I agree that many of us were blocked from voting for John..... There was outright bias on the part of the judges and on how the hometown visits were filmed.
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It was done so the black guy would win to boost ratings
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I think Luke and Lionel were for Jamal from the beginning I think it was set up for him to win John should have won
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He did.
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I believe that, it was fraudulent
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There are too many people who reported being blocked from voting for John Foster. The network will squelch this, because they are the ones responsible for blocked votes.
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Likewise
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Luke was shocked on the other hand Lionel was for Janal all the way. I also think it was fraudulent. Couldn't vote for John wouldn't go through
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Never watch the show but heard John Foster sing and had to keep listening because he is just amazing. Vibrant and a wonderful voice. Wish I could have voted. A definite #1
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Had to be a glitch. I voted through text messsged and had no problem. My final votes were all 10 for John. I had trouble with the app so I used the text msg to vote with no problem.
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I could not figure out how to text message
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I also voted for John. When the voting started, I gave John all that I was allowed. But either way that young man has a bright future ahead of him
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I read some folks were blocked from all three ways to vote for John Foster. I was blocked but not from voting for Jamal. I agree the network promoted Jamal over John. You could easily tell the bias of the judges.
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My husband and I both tried to vote for John and it would not go thru we tried several times! I honestly think we were being blocked!
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Me too
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I think everyone that had problems was using the website app. You all need to complain to abc. This could be why John came in 2nd. I used text msg to vote and never had a problem.
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Likewise
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Agree completely! I picked John day one!
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Me too!!
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Me too!
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My votes wouldn't go through for John either. Very suspicious.
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All mine for John went through, each show, I never had a problem! I voted each week for him and Jamal! Great season 🥰
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Right
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Same thing happened to me
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Me too. I agree, I believe both L & L were for Jamal from the beginning. John by far was the BEST. I couldn't stand Jamal's screaming. It was hard to understand what he was signing if you didnt know the song. I'm done w/AI. Besides its time Lionel retire.
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I agree 100%!
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Best voice ever, you will be going far John Foster even without American idol. Hope to hear that beautiful voice again , your the New Elvis of country music. God bless you.
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He'll go far without #1. 👍
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i feel like John Foster and Brenna Nix were so much better singers than Jamal who was granted the American Idol I think it is a popularity contest and how the votes definitely got divided between the white and black votes need I say more and then the comments that Jamal was the first black artist winner since Rubin Studderd some time ago.
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YUP EXACTLY.
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I thought Brenna was a dynamite singer and Jamal, not a country fan, John was smooth!!
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John Foster will always be my idol he is a great Country music singer.
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I had never watched American Idol til John Foster caught my ear. I have no reason to watch again after him.
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Wouldnt let me vote fir the final winner either. I couldnt understand it
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I tried and tried. The fix was in. As they kept showing jamal. And what a great teacher
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My husband and I both tried to vote but neither would go through. After reading the comments, this needs to be investigated!!!
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Wrong person won!!
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John really won they gave it to Jamal because he's black and got two small kids john and Breanna was so much better than Jamal when you try even now to reply it give you trouble i couldn't vote I block so you couldn't save your vote but one lady said same happen to her so she put one vote for Jamal and I went to though so she knew it was RIGGED THEY GAVE IT TO JAMAL HE DIDNT WIN JOHN DID MILLIONS OF PEOPLE TRY TO VOTE WERE BLOCKED SHAME ON THE AMERICAN IDOL FOR ROBBING
THIS AMAZEING TALENTED YOUNG MAN WHO WORK SO HARD TO BLOCK PEOPLE FROM VOTEING FOR HIM WHAT A DE GRACE GOD SEES EVERY THING THEY HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT THEY CHEATED AND ROBBED THE.REAL WINNER JOHN FOSTER YOU ARE OUR IDOL FOREVER YOU DONT NEED.THEM YOUR ON YOUR WAY TO STARDOM WE LOVE YOU JOHN FOSTER I WANT TO FOLLOW YOU YOUR SUCESS DONT SHED A TEAR OVER THEM THESE ARE SMALL PEOPLE 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💯
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No he is a great R&B singer which has never gone away. God keeps Smokey Robinson alive to promote the style. John is a great country singer who will excel in his craft, he is great.
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I think Luke Bryan was hesitant because John Foster would give him competition in the country genre. Same way that Katy Perry felt about Gabby Barrett a few years ago. She kept gunning for Maddie Poppe..then who came in first? Why Maddie Poppe! Who? Who? She appeared on last year's show and had no stage presence and her singing was so-so.
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I couldn't vote for John either!
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My finale vote on app did not go through, but text did
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WAY TOO MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINED THAT THEIR VOTE COULDNT VOTE AND MINE AS WELL!!! IT WAS "LOCKED"! THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME AMERICAN IDOL HAS CHEATED AND RIGGED THE OUTCOMES! IVE BEEN WATCHING IT SINCE THE BEGINNING IN 2001 OR 2002 AND HAVE SEEN BLATANT CHEATING MULTIPLE TIMES!!!
TECHNICALLY THE RUNNER UPS AND EVERYONE ELSE HAS IT BETTER! THEY GOT THE EXPOSURE NEEDED AND IS NOT BOUND TO AI !!!!
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John will be a super Star like Adam Lambert
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John Foster for sure! Every song he sang was a pleasure to watch and hear him sing
Never fast forwarded one of his performances!
Totally Agree they played up Jamal's children, teaching position, etc.
Maybe feeling John F is young
Will carve his own way with or without the win!
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They did it to boost ratings having a black guy who yells does not sing well. Jamel is stuck up and shrubbed John maybe he'll end up doing karaoke . John is number one vlass
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I agree 1000% He will be a nobody this time next year
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I liked Jamal, but he didn’t move with his songs, til the last song he sang.
I Really liked John Foster. His Voice IS AMAZING! Definitely he will go far. I’m sure Jamal will be given songs that fit his style more and of Course make him Even a better performer. I’m So happy for him n his family.
It does seem to me that AI, did push for Jamal during the competition. I thought, well it’s just me, but I wasn’t the only one to notice favoritism on AI
Side
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John should have won. The best!
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Sounds like a scam.
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The propping up of Jamal was quite evident. I've felt for years the voting is fixed.
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I told you what I thought apparently I was blocked on that too
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He should go on the voice
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I believe this was the most talented year yet of AI ! I couldn't make a decision myself . The final three were absolutely awesome and any one of them could have been the winner. But, honestly they were All winners. I hope their futures are really bright . Talent agents need to get on top of this ASAP and get a future for these guys.
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The thing with American idol is they already know who they want to win the show so votes don’t count I like both Jamal and John
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Total BS Jamal wsd a nobtalent who should never made top 24. It was Idol that kept pushing him as a winner. There were a bunch of better artist. Gabby was the onevwho should have won.
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They kept saying Jamal was a single dad raising his two daughters alone.
I feel they were trying to get people to feel sorry for him. But then we hear he has a new daughter, so there has to be someone in his life helping. It was all fixed I feel, John and Breanna will have huge careers.
Jamal will be just like last years winner, a nobody!!
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First it does not surprise me that John has a dog to go home to and misses his baby. Dogs are soulful beings that will wait for their human to come home. John is the type to be that pairing. Its in his music and his creative writing. His song about his friend he lost is something I understand. I to had a close friend I lost along with others years ago in a car wreck. I know he is in heaven and I look forward to seeing him again some day. I know we will hear more of John's creations in his songs he writes. Say hello to your baby and give him or her a big hug from me. I have had many wonderful dogs, my babies, in my life. Its the only thing that I wish God had graced us with longer life spans in dogs. Their lives are to short. Take care John. You were wondetful in your American Idol competition. Please do not stop singing. God blessed you with a wonderful singing voice and if you decide to do Dancing With the Stars I bet you will be great at that too!
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How in the world can you say Jamal is terrible? Are you deaf?
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I'm not deaf. John Foster should have won, he's the best,
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I wanted John also. However tonsay Jamal is terrible is insane. He’s phenomenal. The best singer was that girl samone. I predicted John and jamal in finale weeks ago. But thought John would have beat him out. John’s gonna be something for sure. But Jamal was perfect and so was John lol. I’m glad someone good one and not like the last few he got nowhere
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Also, I worked with the deaf for over 30 years and many of them are very musical and enjoy music. Technology today allows deaf people to have a lot more options.
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Well, his power-singing style is not for everyone. I think he's a great singer and I admire him for singing Faith-based songs, but I've never like it when singers shout. I doubt most people would play that at home while relaxing. You just wait, John will be the true winner in the longrun.
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So many folks did not realize after Brianna was eliminated,they had to vote again
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The winner song is just okay his appearance out who thought he will win
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I actually believe that the final 3 were all very good performers, and any of them would have been a worthy winner of AI. There were several other very talented performers on the show this season who didn’t make the final 3, but they also performed very well on the Live Finale Show. I believe that several of these performers will do well in the future, and I’m not particularly concerned with who won the show but who performs best in the future.
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I felt the same way. Luke was afraid of John because he is better and younge
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John Foster should have won..was the voting a problem according to others comments. John keep singing. Hope someone gives him an opportunity. sometimes these shows can be fixed
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DEI simple. Ruben Stoddard was mentioned during the last of the show along with Fantasies Barrino being a guest. I don't even it mattered who was to win as long as it was a black person and they could sing. Jammal was indeed the best choice. My opinion only!
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Jamel Wil be a karaoke host
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He should record his version of Callin Baton Rouge that he performed in Hawaii.
I think it's the Best version ever for that song.
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I voted for Jamal. I'm glad he won. He deserved it. He was the best.
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John Foster Should’ve been the winner it was raged John Foster done a lot then whoever it was that so called won
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I think they both should have won. They’re both very talented in their own type of music. Hope they both make it to the big times.
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I think Jamal won because his range of different ways of different varieties of Music he could sing I thought he was phenomenal and I wanted him to win I also wanted John to win they're all three winners of the top 24 are all winners but I was so happy when Jamal won because I thought he could sing R&B gospel Disney rock and roll he just had a better variety of ways he could sing and use his voice and that's why I think he won and that's why I wanted him to win he's phenomenal singer
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Anyone of the three could have won. Of course there were others that went home earlier that also could have won. However I think that Jamal's vocals, musicality and tone outdid them all. Breanna Nix called it and she was an unselfish contender.
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John should have not made it as far as he did. Yes he has a good voice but there were much better singers in this season than his. Thunderstorm, breanna, are much better than he is.
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Hey me your gull
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