Jamal Roberts, a 27-year-old physical education teacher and father of three, has officially been crowned the winner of American Idol Season 23. Hailing from Meridian, Mississippi, Jamal won the hearts of viewers across the nation, beating out fellow finalists John Foster and Breanna Nix, who finished in second and third place, respectively.
Winning Performance: “Her Heart” by Anthony Hamilton
To celebrate his big win, Jamal delivered a soulful and emotional rendition of “Her Heart” by Anthony Hamilton. The touching performance closed out what host Ryan Seacrest called the “biggest finale vote in show history,” with fans having less than three hours to vote during the live broadcast.
A Journey Back Home Before the Big Night
Before the grand finale, all three finalists returned to their hometowns—a cherished Idol tradition. Jamal’s visit to Meridian was filled with heartfelt moments as he expressed his mission to “bring love and peace and unity” to his city. During the finale, he also performed “Just My Imagination” by The Temptations, accompanied by emotional footage from his hometown trip.
Star-Studded Finale with Special Guests and Judges
The Season 23 finale was nothing short of spectacular. The Top 14 contestants opened the show with a group performance of Queen’s “We Are the Champions.” The Top 3, including Jamal, also shared the stage with major music stars such as:
- Brandon Lake
- Goo Goo Dolls
- Good Charlotte
- Jennifer Holliday
- Jessica Simpson
- Josh Groban
- Kirk Franklin
- Myles Smith
- Patti LaBelle
- Salt-N-Pepa
Even judges Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie joined the fun by performing live themselves, stepping out from behind the panel to wow the crowd.
What Does the Winner Get?
Jamal won more than just a trophy and fame. According to Newsweek, the American Idol winner receives a record deal with Hollywood Records, plus $125,000 upfront. Once he completes his debut album, he’ll receive an additional $100,000, bringing his total prize money to $250,000.
He’ll also have access to a $300,000 recording budget, which acts as an advance to be paid back through album sales.
Where to Watch
If you missed the live broadcast, you can catch the full Season 23 finale on ABC or stream it the next day on Hulu.
Looking Ahead: American Idol Season 24
Good news for fans—the iconic singing competition will be back! American Idol has been renewed for Season 24, continuing its legacy of discovering and celebrating incredible talent.
