American Idol 2025 Season Finale: Who Will Win?
The “American Idol” Season 23 finale is tonight, May 18, 2025, and it’s a big deal. Three singers—Jamal Roberts, Breanna Nix, and John Foster—are battling it out to be crowned the winner. This is the climax of a months-long competition that started with auditions in August 2024, narrowed down thousands of hopefuls, and now comes down to a three-hour live show on ABC. Here’s what’s happening, who these finalists are, how the finale works, why it matters, and what can go wrong, all based on the Deseret News article from May 17, 2025. This is a deep dive, written like I’m talking to a friend who’s curious but doesn’t want a polished lecture—just the real stuff, uneven and human, with no fluff.
Why the Finale Matters
“American Idol” has been a powerhouse since 2002, turning unknown singers into stars like Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and Jennifer Hudson, who didn’t even win but became an EGOT winner (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony). The show’s format—public voting, live performances, and raw talent—makes it a cultural juggernaut. Season 23 has been pulling 19 to 22 million votes per episode in the later rounds, showing it still has a massive audience. For the finalists, winning means a recording contract with Hollywood Records, a cash prize (historically $125,000 to $250,000), and a shot at a music career. Last season, Abi Carter won with 21 million votes and is now touring and releasing music. But not every winner makes it big—some disappear fast. The finale is about proving you’ve got the voice, stage presence, and fanbase to stand out. For viewers, it’s your chance to decide who gets that shot.
How the Finale Works
The finale airs live at 6 p.m. MDT on ABC, running three hours. It’s a packed show, not just the top three singing. You’ve got performances from all 14 of this season’s top contestants, plus guest stars like Josh Groban, Patti La Belle, Salt-N-Pepa, Jessica Simpson, Goo Goo Dolls, Kirk Franklin, PJ Morton, Good Charlotte, and others. There’s a duet between La Belle and contestant Kolbi Jordan, and another with The War and Treaty alongside Thunderstorm Artis, who made the top five. The finalists—Jamal, Breanna, and John—will each perform multiple songs, likely two or three, mixing covers, personal dedications, or originals. Voting happens live during the show, and you can cast up to 10 votes per contestant through three methods: online at idolvote.abc.com, the “American Idol” app, or texting a number shown on-screen. The voting window closes shortly after the East Coast broadcast, around 4 a.m. MDT on May 19. The winner, decided purely by votes, is announced at the end.
Meet the Finalists
Jamal Roberts
Jamal’s a teacher from Meridian, Mississippi, with a soulful R&B style. He’s been a fan favorite since his audition, where he brought down the house. On Disney Night, he sang “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and turned “Beauty and the Beast” into an R&B jam, getting standing ovations from judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. Bryan shouted, “Let’s win this thing, baby!” Jamal’s strength is his ability to get the crowd moving—he’ll have them clapping and swaying in seconds. He brought his two daughters to Disneyland for the Disney Night episodes, which gave voters a personal connection. Reality Tea predicts he’ll win, citing his consistent performances and unique voice. But his song choices can be predictable. If he plays it too safe tonight, he might lose voters looking for a wow moment.
Breanna Nix
Breanna, from Denton, Texas, is the emotional core of the group. She’s a vocal powerhouse who’s been open about her faith, which resonates with a lot of viewers. On Disney Night, she sang “This Will Be” from “The Parent Trap” and dedicated “You’ll Be in My Heart” from “Tarzan” to her husband. The judges praised her range and emotional depth, though Carrie Underwood noted nerves in the first half of her first song. Breanna’s earlier performances, like Martina McBride’s “Independence Day” and Lauren Daigle’s “Still Rolling Stones,” show she can tackle country, pop, and gospel. Her duet with Rylie O’Neill on Brandon Lake’s “Gratitude” earlier this season left Underwood in tears, highlighting her ability to connect. Some X posts predict her as runner-up, with one user, @kindlekkelly, saying she’s strong but might not beat Jamal. Breanna’s challenge is confidence—if she looks shaky, voters might hesitate.
John Foster
John, from Addis, Louisiana, is the country guy. He’s got a smooth, original voice and a likable, down-to-earth vibe. On Disney Night, he sang “The Bare Necessities” from “The Jungle Book” and “Rainbow Connection,” both hits with the audience. Lionel Richie called him highly likable, and Luke Bryan said his voice is unique. John’s been steady, but Reality Tea thinks he might not outshine Jamal, as country artists have won a lot—Scotty McCreery, Chayce Beckham—and voters might want variety. X posts are split: @creecher28 says John will win, but others, like @jrzgrlz, favor Jamal. John’s hurdle is standing out against Jamal’s charisma and Breanna’s emotion. He needs a bold song choice to make voters remember him.
How Voting Works
Voting is intense and a bit complicated. You need to register at idolvote.abc.com or download the app beforehand. Text voting requires the contestant’s specific number, shown during the show. You get 10 votes per method per contestant, but go over that, and your votes are void. Last season, fans complained about online glitches, so test your setup early. The window is short—open during the live show and closing a few hours later. If you miss it or mess up, your favorite doesn’t get your support. The judges—Underwood, Richie, and Bryan—give feedback but have no say in the outcome. It’s all America’s call.
What Can Go Wrong?
Song choice is a huge risk. Pick something too safe, and you bore voters. Pick something too risky, and you might bomb. In 2024, Emmy Russell was eliminated in the top five because her performances didn’t match the energy of others, despite her songwriting talent. Nerves are another issue. Breanna’s Disney Night jitters show even strong singers can falter live. The format is brutal—miss a note or forget lyrics, and everyone hears it. Fanbase turnout is critical, too. “Idol” voters have favored country guys in the past, but recent winners like Iam Tongi and Abi Carter show a shift toward diversity. If your fans don’t vote, you’re toast. And the voting system itself can be a trap—glitches or confusion can derail your effort.
Consequences of a Bad Performance
If you flop in the finale, you lose the crown. Second and third place still get exposure—Will Moseley, last year’s runner-up, got a record deal—but it’s not the same. A weak performance can hurt your early career. Labels watch how you handle the spotlight. A bad night might mean less promotion or a smaller deal. But a great performance, even without winning, can open doors. Jennifer Hudson lost in 2004 but won an Oscar and Grammys. The finale is huge, but it’s not everything.
Why This Finale Matters
Beyond the personal stakes, “American Idol” shapes the music industry. It’s launched stars and set trends—Season 23’s focus on faith, with moments like Breanna’s “Gratitude” duet and a viral backstage worship session, has connected with viewers. Underwood as a judge, a former winner herself, adds weight to the critiques. The show’s reach—19 to 22 million votes per episode—means the winner gets instant fame. But they have to deliver post-show, or they’ll fade like some past winners.
Predictions
Reality Tea and Gold Derby favor Jamal for his R&B flair and crowd connection. @kindlekkelly on X predicts Jamal first, Breanna second, John third. But John’s country appeal could rally voters, especially with Underwood’s influence. Breanna’s emotional performances might win over story-driven fans. Parade and Deseret News note John’s likability as a factor. Last year, Abi Carter, a Platinum Ticket holder, still had to fight for her win, so nothing’s certain.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overthinking song choices is a killer. Contestants sometimes pick songs that don’t fit their voice or try to show off at the cost of emotion. In 2023, Megan Danielle played it too safe and lost to Iam Tongi. Ignoring the audience is another mistake. Jamal’s great at crowd engagement, but if he or the others focus too much on technical stuff, they’ll lose votes. And don’t underestimate the power of a personal story—Breanna’s faith and John’s everyman vibe give them an edge, but they need to show it through their songs.
Final Thoughts
Tonight’s show will be a mix of talent, pressure, and drama. Whoever wins, they’ve got a platform, but the real work starts tomorrow. The finale is a snapshot of who America loves right now, and I’m curious to see who they pick. It’s a wild ride, and these three have earned their spot—now it’s up to the voters to decide who’s next.
Source: Deseret News
