¡®American Idol¡¯ Season 23 finale: Who took the crown ¡ª John Foster, Breanna Nix, or Jamal Roberts?
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?May 18, 2025
Tonight on?, the top three give their final performances in a star-studded night filled with music legends and top stars. After the nationwide vote, host?Ryan Seacrest?reveals this year¡¯s?American Idol?winner. Will?John Foster,?Breanna Nix, or?Jamal Roberts?take the crown? Follow our live blog to see each performance and up-to-the-minute results below.
The three-hour finale of?American Idol?airs live coast-to-coast beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on?. Judges?,?, and??will cheer on the contestants as "Artist in Residence"?Jelly Roll?mentors the finalists ahead of their last performance.
Each of the top 14 contestants return to make an appearance on tonight's finale along with superstar guests?Brandon Lake,?Goo Goo Dolls,?Good Charlotte,?Jennifer Holliday,?Jessica Simpson,?Josh Groban,?Kirk Franklin,?Myles Smith,?Patti LaBelle, and?Salt-N-Pepa.
8 p.m.?¡ª??The top three finalists were announced on May 12 after competing in "Disney Night No. 2" ¡ª performing a pair tunes featured in classic Disney movies.?John Foster?("The Bare Necessities"/"Rainbow Connection") edged out?Jamal Roberts?("Ain't No Mountain High Enough"/"Beauty and the Beast") and?Breanna Nix?("This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)"/"You'll Be in My Heart") to win Gold Derby's poll as?your?favorite performer.?Thunderstorm Artis?("A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes"/"Find Yourself") and?Slater Nalley?("You've Got a Friend in Me"/"Born to Be Wild") were eliminated from the competition.
Jamal Roberts Age:?27 Hometown:?Meridian, Miss. Performance:?"First Time" by?Teeks Carrie's comments:?"I feel like tonight, you look so comfortable and at ease." Lionel's comments:?"What I love about you is the way you just navigate the story and it happens to come out of your mouth in brilliant form." Luke's comments:?"Will you teach me how to be that smooth? Everything about you is a star."
Breanna Nix Age:?25 Hometown:?Denton, Texas Performance:?"In Jesus Name (God of Possible)" by?Katy Nichole Carrie's comments:?"You just reminded everybody why we love you. It's so warm and believable." Lionel's comments: "This has turned into a slugfest -- every one of you in your own lane has a career forever. Stay on your path." Luke's comments:?"You've just been amazingly solid all year, you deliver week in and week out. You have such a special heart and thing about you."
John Foster Age:?18 Hometown:?Addis, La. Performance:?"Take Me Home, Country Roads" by?John Denver Carrie's comments:?"Great song choice. Everybody at home was singing." Lionel's comments: "For all of you out there: vote, vote, vote." Luke's comments:?"That hometown piece, whew. Really beautifully done."
Jamal Roberts Age:?27 Hometown:?Meridian, Miss. Performance:?"Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" by?The Temptations Carrie's comments:?"You can sing things that are contemporary and it fits. You can sing things that are throwback and it fits. It all sounds fresh and new and fun." Lionel's comments:?"You are divinely guided, my friend." Luke's comments:?"I cannot believe that you have been in a schoolroom teaching kids and you go from that to what you're able to do in front of us. You're one of the most amazing people that I've ever seen on this show."
Breanna Nix Age:?25 Hometown:?Denton, Texas Performance:?"The Climb" by?Miley Cyrus Carrie's comments:?"You're just a gorgeous, wonderful inspiration to so many people." Lionel's comments: "Perfect song. Perfect voice. Perfect presentation." Luke's comments:?"What a perfect song choice. You just took me on an unbelievable ride."
The evening's celebratory performances included:
John Foster, Jamal Roberts & Breanna Nix Performance:?"We Are the Champions" by?Queen
Salt-N-Pepa Performance:?Medley of "Push It" / "Shoop" / "Whatta Man" with the Top 14 Women
Good Charlotte Performance:?Medley of "The Anthem" / "Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous" with the Top 14 Men
Luke Bryan
Performance:?"Country Song Came On" / "Deeper Than the Holler" by?Randy Travis?with?John Foster
Kirk Franklin Performance:?"Melodies from Heaven" and "Love Theory" with?Canaan James Hill