After months and months of auditions, showstoppers, and live shows, the winner of American Idol Season 23 was finally crowned on May 18. (Read our minute-by-minute recap.)
The final three contestants — pop-country singer Breanna Nix, R&B artist Jamal Roberts, and country star John Foster — went head-to-head-to-head during ABC’s three-hour finale on Sunday night. After America voted live coast-to-coast, Jamal was named the winner, John finished as the runner-up, and Breanna came in third place.
Jamal is now the second Black man to win American Idol after Season 2’s Ruben Studdard 22 years ago, in 2003. Meanwhile, there have been four Black women to prevail: Fantasia Barrino, Jordin Sparks, Candice Glover, and Just Sam.
“I’m anointed. I know how to use it. I know how to tap in,” Jamal told Gold Derby on the red carpet. After the confetti fell, Jamal got down on the floor and did a snow angel on the big stage. “I will always remember that moment, because I’ve actually never done a snow angel before in the real snow — it was just amazing,” the Mississippi native revealed.
“I was overwhelmed,” Jamal continued. “It still hasn’t settled in yet.” The newly-crowned champ is excited to get in the studio and work on an “inspirational soul” album, but has no plans on leaving his hometown of Meridian, Miss. “I love my city,” he said. “There’s no traffic. I don’t wait in line to eat. I love my life!” When asked about his hometown visit prior to the finale he said, “I knew I was loved, but when I saw that many people out there for me — I was shocked.”
Carrie Underwood, who has yet to confirm if she will return for Season 24, had one goal during her first season as a judge: to make sure there was incredible talent left at the end. “The Top 10 were just insane,” she told Gold Derby. “Everybody had their moment and took their opportunity. You won’t find this level of talent anywhere else.”
“I know what it’s like to grow up in a small town,” Carrie said about watching the hometown visits. “To see that many people show up and support — they just had an incredible day. We were all very emotional watching it.”
When asked if there was anything she would do differently next season, Carrie said, “If I do come back, I’m going to make sure nobody cheats [on ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Night’]. I wanna rock!”
“I’m excited!” said showrunner Megan Wolflick about Jamal’s historic triumph. “It felt like an old-school Idol finale. It felt like Ruben vs. Clay [Aiken].” She told Gold Derby that she wouldn’t “call this the countriest season ever,” because it contained “multi-genre talent.” The producer pinpointed Season 10, which ended in the battle between Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina, as quite possibly the season with the biggest country feel to it.
The rest of the top 14 also took part in the finale: Gabby Samone, Mattie Pruitt, Slater Nalley, Thunderstorm Artis, Josh King, Canaan James Hill, Kolbi Jordan, Ché Chesterman, Filo, Amanda Barise, and Desmond Roberts. They sang tunes with some of the biggest A-list artists in the industry, including Brandon Lake, Goo Goo Dolls, Good Charlotte, Jennifer Holliday, Jessica Simpson, Kirk Franklin, Myles Smith, Patti LaBelle, Salt-N-Pepa, and Cody Johnson.
Host Ryan Seacrest revealed the winner’s name at the end of the episode, just as he’s done for each of the past 22 seasons. Current judges Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie sang a showstopping rendition of “Stuck on You” together, while “Artist in Residence” and mentor Jelly Roll performed “Unpretty” and “Liar” with Jamal.
Jamal Roberts, a 27-year-old father and P.E. teacher from Meridian, Miss., went viral for these performances on the big stage: “Tennessee Whiskey,” “Liar,” “Forever,” “Try a Little Tenderness,” “Shout,” “Heal,” “Undo It,” “I Believe,” “Go the Distance,” “A Change Is Gonna Come,” “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” and “Beauty and the Beast.” His original R&B single is “Heal.”
John Foster, an 18-year-old student from Addis, La., sang his way into America’s heart with his renditions of “In Color,” “Callin’ Baton Rouge,” “Tell That Angel I Love Her,” “Neon Moon,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “I Told You So,” “Something to Talk About,” “I Cross My Heart,” “Almost There,” “Believe,” “The Bare Necessities,” and “Rainbow Connection.” His original country single is “Tell That Angel I Love Her.”
Breanna Nix, a 25-year-old mother and health coach from Denton, Texas, belted out the following tunes during her time on the show: “The Trouble With Love Is,” “Still Rolling Stones,” “Up to the Mountain,” “The Show Must Go On,” “Open Arms,” “Tell Your Heart To Beat Again,” “Water Under the Bridge,” “Independence Day,” “Reflection,” “Like My Mother Does,” “This Will Be” and “You’ll Be in My Heart.” Her original pop-country single is “Higher.”
According to the Gold Derby predictions, John Foster was out front to win the competition with leading 2/3 odds. He was followed by Jamal Roberts in second place at 2/1 odds, and Breanna Nix in third place at 14/1 odds. Are you happy with the ultimate Season 23 results? Be sure to sound off down in the comments section or in our reality TV forum.
Jamal is the latest to join the iconic American Idol winner list, following these former 22 champions: Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks, David Cook, Kris Allen, Lee DeWyze, Scotty McCreery, Phillip Phillips, Candice Glover, Caleb Johnson, Nick Fradiani, Trent Harmon, Maddie Poppe, Laine Hardy, Just Sam, Chayce Beckham, Noah Thompson, Iam Tongi, and Abi Carter.