After beating out 120,000 “American Idol” hopefuls for a shot at stardom in 2025, only three contestants remained as the three-hour, season 23 finale kicked off on May 18, 2025. Finalists John Foster, Breanna Nix, and Jamal Roberts were set to perform again for judges Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie — and for millions of viewers tuning in live.

The top 3 singers had less than three hours to earn viewers’ votes during the star-studded finale. Early votes determined who landed in third place, announced by host Ryan Seacrest halfway through the show. EntertainmentNow covered the show live, with minute-by-minute updates on the night’s performances, feedback, and voting results. Scroll down to see the details and WHO WON!

‘American Idol’ 2025 Season Finale: 1st Round Live Recap

Foster, Nix, and Roberts had lots to navigate during the live finale, reuniting for group performances with the top 14 contestants and duets with huge stars. They kicked off the live show singing Queen’s “We Are the Champions” together. Seacrest then introduced the judges, looking very spiffy for the grand finale, with Richie and Bryan both in tuxedo suits and Underwood in a shimmering, golden gown.

Artist-in-residence Jelly Roll mentored the top 3 on their first two songs of the evening, choosing tunes tune from a list each contestant made of their favorite songs. Here’s how the first round went:

JOHN FOSTER: From the 18-year-old’s list, Jelly Roll chose Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (the Angry American).” As they rehearsed, Foster shared how much he’s loved receiving so much support across the country. He performed with an American flag behind him, and fans in the audience waved flags, too. All three judges gave Foster a standing ovation for his performance. Richie said it was the “perfect song,” jokingly asking if he was running for office. Underwood said she was “so proud” of Foster for “pulling out all the stops.” Bryan said Foster’s “whole disposition has changed” since he first auditioned, from his voice to his confidence. At the end, he dedicated his tune to military veterans including his grandfathers, who were in the audience. He also said “it would be the absolute honor of a lifetime if they think this little ‘ol boy from Louisiana” could be the next “American Idol.”

JAMAL ROBERTS: Jelly Roll remembered seeing Roberts sing Teeks’ “First Time” on TikTok in 2024, and teared up hearing the 27-year-old dad of three rehearse the song with him. Dressed in a white suit, Roberts sauntered past the audience, grabbing fans’ hands as he sang and smiled brightly, making his way back to center stage. The judges gave him a standing ovation, too. Underwood told Roberts, “You are just so talented” and that he looked “so at ease,” congratulating him on “being here.” Bryan then laughingly asked him, “Will you teach me how to be that smooth?” He said people ask him about Roberts wherever he goes because “everything about you is a star, everything!” Richie told Bryan, “If you have to think about it, it’s wrong. The fella’s not thinking about it!” Richie said that he loves how Roberts is able to “navigate a story,” and then he and Bryan joked about how Roberts even makes his “ooooohs” sound cool. Seacrest noted that Roberts seems to be smiling more, and the singer admitted, “I’m excited!”

BREANNA NIX: Jelly Roll said he chose Katy Nichole’s “In Jesus Name (God of Possible)” for Nix’s first song “because your faith anchors you.” He added that the 25-year-old mom’s vulnerability has inspired so many during the season. Nix said that there “have been a lot of hard times” for her family. The two of them then cried together, with Jelly Roll assuring Nix that no matter what happens, her life is going to be changed. As Nix performed, producers sweetly showed that her four-year-old son Emerson was sound asleep in the audience, much like he was during her audition, sitting in Underwood’s lap. The crowd went wild for Nix’s performance, and Bryan said, “I think they’re saying it for me!” He added that she’d “been so solid” week after week and encouraged her to “just keep singing the music that you love.” Richie said that the competition had turned into a “slugfest” and that each of the contestants had a huge career ahead of them by sticking to the paths they’ve carved out for themselves. Underwood said that Nix has “unashamedly spoken the name of Jesus” throughout the season and thanked her for staying true to herself and her faith.

‘American Idol’ 2025 Season Finale: Round 2 Live Recap

After a break, the show shifted to give viewers glimpses of the top 3’s hometown visits, filled with family reunions, fan meet-and-greets, parades and a concert in each town. They each were preparing to sing second song selctions, too, before votes were to be calculated, determining who would take third place.

JOHN FOSTER: Foster returned to Addis, Louisiana, where he visited his high school (class of 2024!) and saw the mom of Maggie Dunn, his dear friend who died in a car crash in 2022. He said he wrote his song “Tell That Angel I Love Her” on the day Maggie died; the song is the single he released with “American Idol” on the eve of the finale. During a nighttime concert, he played the song for a packed audience and broke down crying, seeing everyone’s lighters in the air, in memory of Maggie. After that touching moment, the show then shifted back to the live studio, where Foster performed “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver. The judges were back on their feet after his rousing delivery. Richie said it’s still hard to believe he’s only 18, and Underwood said “of course the country boy” would have a wonderful hometown welcome. Bryan said the piece “was wonderfully done” and joked about the giant crawfish that Foster got to ride in his hometown parade.

JAMAL ROBERTS: Heading home to Meridian, Mississippi, Roberts got to meet his newborn and spend time with his two other little girls. He surprised the students at Crestwood Elementary, where he’s a physical education teacher, and treated them to a day of fun, promising he’d still be around, no matter what happened in the competition. Roberts had fun at a family cookout, and was then the center of attention at a parade and a concert that drew a crowd of 20,000, the show revealed. He told producers that his goal was to “bring love and peace and unity” to the city, and thanked everyone he could for the experience. Back in the “Idol” studio, he performed The Temptations’ “Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me).” Underwood marveled at his “incredible ability” to make any song feel “fresh and fun.” Bryan said, “I cannot believe you’ve been in a schoolroom teaching kids, and you go from that to what you’re able to do in front of us,” calling him “one of the most amazing people I’ve ever seen on this show.” Richie joked that he’s 200 years old and said that he didn’t think he could see anything “new,” but that Roberts seems “divinely guided” and has a presence he’s never quite seen before.

BREANNA NIX: Returning to Denton, Texas, allowed Nix to reflect on the amazing journey she’s been on, noting that the show is the “best thing to happen” to her other than the birth of her son. Nix got to ride through the town in a pink limo, wowed to see her name and fans everywhere — including at an ice cream shop that created a flavor in her honor. Nix reunited with her family at her sister’s house, where she recalled going through some hard times and said it was incredible to be there feeling so good. Moms from the area also gave her a “mommy makeover” to thank Nix for being an inspiration. Nix admitted she felt like “a nobody” when she left Denton for “Idol” and that the voice in her head now says that she is “enough.” Back in the studio, Nix performed “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus. After a standing ovation from the judges, Bryan told her it was a “perfect song choice” and that “you just took me on an unbelievable ride — what a feeling you just gave me!” Richie agreed, saying it was a “perfect song with a perfect voice.” Underwood called Nix a “gorgeous, wonderful inspiration” to people and said there was no way they couldn’t connect with her after her performance.

3rd Place Contestant Revealed: Who Took 3rd Place?

After an hour of the show and a medley performance by Salt-n-Pepa — along with the “ladies of the top 14,” as Seacrest called them, and Underwood dancing and singing along at the judge’s table, Seacrest brought the top 3 out on stage to reveal how the votes so far had stacked up.

The singer with the least number of votes during the first live hour would land in third place. So — who took 3rd place? BREANNA NIX. That meant Foster, who was the first one Seacrest said had earned a spot in the top 2, and Roberts would move on in the finale, vying for the top spot.

‘American Idol’ Season 23: Performance Recaps With ‘Idol’ Finalists

After a commercial break, Good Charlotte performed — with Richie rocking out at the judges’ table, given that one of the twin brothers, Joel Madden, is his son-in-law. The guys from the top 14 joined the rockers for an ensemble performance of “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.”

Following that performance, Bryan took the stage — suddenly dressed down in head-to-toe denim — to sing one of his recent hits, “A Country Song Came On.” He then introduced Foster to the stage to sing with him on Randy Travis’ “Deeper Than the Holler.”

After a break, season 21 winner Noah Thompson appeared briefly with the judges and was surprised with news from Underwood, who mentored him on the show in 2022, that he’s going to make his Grand Ole Opry debut on May 31. There were then performances by gospel great Kirk Franklin and multiple contestants, including Canaan James Hill, and the Goo Goo Dolls with finalist Mattie Pruitt.

Next up, contemporary Christian artist Brandon Lake hit the stage with Nix to sing “Daddy’s DNA. Nix performed one of Lake’s tunes during Hollywood Week, so it was likely a meaningful moment for Nix to get to sing with him, even after placing third.

After a commercial break, finalist Gabby Samone appeared onstage with original “Dreamgirls” cast member Jennifer Holliday to duet on the epic tune “I Am Changing.” The judges were on their feet long before the song even ended, amazed by the power of their voices together. The crowd chanted Samone’s name at the end, thrilled to hear from her again.

Next up, Roberts returned to the stage to sing with Jelly Roll. They first sang Jelly Roll’s “Unpretty,” and he shook his head in amazement when Roberts opened his mouth to sing his part. They then shifted into another hit for the country superstar, “Liar,” a tune that Roberts sang solo during the Hawaii round. Again, Jelly Roll looked like he had the most fun listening to Roberts sing it, and their duet brought the judges to their feet again.

After a break, finalists Filo, one of the season’s Platinum Ticket recipients, and Ché Chesterman joined rising star Myles Smith on his hit songs “Nice to Meet You” and “Stargazing.”

In between performances, Seacrest surprised Roberts and Foster with trips for four on a Disney cruise, which they were both thrilled to hear about. Then, finalist Amanda Barise took the stage with the PJ Morton, singing the Bee Gees’ classic “How Deep is Your Love.”

After a break, producers showed how Platinum Ticket winner Kolbi Jordan had confessed her undying love for Patti LaBelle during her audition. For the finale, she got to take the stage with LaBelle, joyfully singing “Lady Marmalade.”

Underwood then took the stage with finalist Slater Nalley to sing her duet with Cody Johnson, “I’m Gonna Love You.” As a surprise, Johnson walked out during the song and Nalley was adorably shocked. Nalley said he’s such a big fan, and kept shaking his head in amazement.

After another break, top 5 contestant Thunderstorm Artis appeared with the War and Treaty to perform the song they released with Zach Bryan, “Hey Driver.” Following a touching segment about Underwood coming back to “Idol” as a judge 20 years after winning the show, Jessica Simpson took the stage in her first live TV performance in 15 years. Finalist Josh King joined her onstage to sing her version of “These Boots Were Made for Walking,” and he even played a bit of harmonica.

Following a break, Richie took the stage to sing his hit “On My Way,” and the crowd went wild when Underwood walked out to sing along. Then Bryan appeared and the three of them all sang the classic tune together.

Final Round & WHO WON ‘AMERICAN IDOL’ SEASON 23

For the final round of the competition, Roberts and Foster had to perform their new singles — both songs that are familiar to “American Idol” fans.

JOHN FOSTER: First up, producers showed a pre-produced segment about Foster’s journey and he then took the stage to sing “Tell That Angel I Love Her.” He performed the tune earlier in the season, and was also seen struggling to get through it while performing the meaningful tune during his hometown visit.

JAMAL ROBERTS: Roberts also was featured in a segment about his journey on “Idol,” and he then took the stage to sing his version Tom ODell’s “Heal.” He included his own added lyrics, asking God to heal things like depression and sickness, which appear in his single.

Voting ended during the commercial break, and when the show came back, it was time for Seacrest to reveal the winner of season 23. Seacrest said that there were 26 million votes cast during the episode — double the 2024 finale. He then revealed that the winner was…JAMAL ROBERTS!

Looking stunned as he covered his face, Roberts finally recovered and as he began to perform Anthony Hamilton’s “Her Heart,” confetti flew and he was surrounded by his fellow contestants, many of whom were crying for him — including Nix and Jordan. His family was seen crying in the audience and hugging his little girls, too.