The American Idol Season 23 finale has presented Breanna Nix, John Foster, and Jamal Roberts as the final contestants. Jamal Roberts has won Season 23 of American Idol. In this article, you are going to learn about the event, prize money, and who the final contestants were. The Journey of the winner, Jamal Roberts, and his personal & professional life.
Table of Contents
American Idol Season 23: Overview Of The Event
The American Idol Season 23 finale was telecast on May 18, 2025. The top three contestants were Breanna Nix, John Foster, and Jamal Roberts. When the show’s host, Ryan Seacrest, announced the final two, Breanna Nix was disqualified. The show was broadcast live on ABC from Red Studios in Los Angeles and was available on platforms like Hulu.
What Will The Winner Get?
As per the sources, the price for the winner was a record contract with Hollywood Records. They will receive a $125,000 prize money, and an additional $100,000 after they complete the entire album, making a total of $250,000. However, a budget of $300,000 is kept to record the album, which the winner will get as an advance and will have to pay back after future earnings.
What Made American Idol Season 23’s Finale Unforgettable?
Numerous factors made it memorable, but the most impactful was the number of votes. The winner of American Idol is determined by live voting and judges’ feedback. However, in the final round, the audience voted for their favourite contestant, and whoever received the highest number of votes was declared the winner. In Season 23, Jamal Roberts won the American Idol title with a record-breaking 26 million votes, and this is the highest number of votes ever since the show moved to ABC in 2018. The voting occurs in real time in the US, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.
American Idol Winner 2025: Who Is Jamal Roberts?
Jamal Roberts was born on the 6th of November 1997, in Meridian, Mississippi. His passion and fondness for music were discovered by his grandparents at a young age. Then he began singing at church. His paternal grandfather was a bishop, and his maternal grandfather was a deacon; hence, his early life was influenced by the family’s religious roots.
Professional Background
Before he won American Idol, he used to work as a physical education teacher at Crestwood Elementary School in Meridian. His children and colleagues like and respect him for his inspiring personality. He has maintained a work-life balance between his teaching duties and his passion for music. He used to practice after school hours, showing his devotion to music.
Jamal Roberts’ American Idol Journey
From the beginning to the end, Jamal has showcased versatility through his performances by singing songs from different genres, including country hits, Motown classics, and contemporary ballads.
He had given a total of 23 performances during his journey on American Idol. In his audition, he had sung ‘Mary Jane’ by Rick James. Then, in the Hollywood round, he sang ‘With Her Heart’ by Anthony Hamilton. Then, when he was singing head to head with Desmond Robert, he sang ‘The Door’ by Teddy Swims. After competing in several other rounds, when he was shortlisted in the top 5, he sang ‘Go the Distance’ by Hercules. On the occasion of Mother’s Day, he sang ‘A Change Is Gonna Come’ by Sam Cooke.
After that, when he made it to the last three performers, he sang ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’ by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell and ‘Beauty and the Beast’ from Beauty and the Beast. Then all the way long in the finale, he has delivered the following performances;
Group: ‘We Are The Champions’ by Queen
Solo: ‘First Time’ by TEEKS
Tribute to Meridian, MS: ‘Just My Imagination’ by The Temptations
Celebrity Duet w/ Jelly Roll: ‘Liar’ & ‘Unpretty’
Coronation Song (Original): ‘Heal’
Family life
Jamal has been open about his role as a father. He is a father of three daughters: Haromi (6), Lyrik (4), and Gianna Grace, who was born just two weeks before the finale. He has kept details private about his marital status. However, his daughters often appear in the audience during his journey, cheering for him in his performances.
What Future Holds For Jamal Roberts?
Jamal’s historic victory, marked with 26 million viewer votes, has earned him a $250,000 cash prize and a recording contract with Hollywood Records. As of now, he said before starting his music career, he wants to spend some time family and newborn. During his interviews, he has expressed deep love for his hometown and a willingness to inspire others through his journey.
Final Thoughts
Jamal Roberts winning the finale of American Idol season 23 isn’t just a victory; it has shown the talent and persistence through his music. His journey is an inspiration to many of his fans across the nation. With his true self, genuine personality, and the musical versatility he has shown through his achievements, he deserves a future in the music industry. He has taken some time off for his family. Meanwhile, his fans are eagerly waiting for his rise in music.
