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.
“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.
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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!
