Ever wonder why we still obsess over a singing show that’s been on the air since the era of flip phones and low-rise jeans? It’s because the drama never actually gets old. Every year, millions of us sit on our couches, clutching our phones, ready to vote for a stranger like they’re our own cousin. Season 23, which wrapped up in May 2025, was no different. If you’re trying to figure out who are the finalist on American Idol and how the leaderboard actually shook out, you’ve come to the right place.
The most recent season felt like a massive shift. We saw Katy Perry leave the judges' table, making room for the return of season 4 legend Carrie Underwood. Watching Carrie judge alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan brought a weirdly nostalgic energy to the set. But honestly, the real story wasn't at the judges' table; it was on the stage.
The Trio Who Made History: Jamal, John, and Breanna
When the confetti finally fell on May 18, 2025, one name stood above the rest. Jamal Roberts was crowned the winner of Season 23. If you heard him sing "Tennessee Whiskey" during the Showstopper round, you probably weren't surprised. The guy has a vocal range that feels like it shouldn't be humanly possible. He’s from Meridian, Mississippi, and he brought this deep, gospel-infused soul to every single performance.
But he didn't get there alone. The finale came down to three distinct artists who couldn't have been more different if they tried.
- Jamal Roberts (Winner): The soulful powerhouse who never once hit a flat note.
- John Foster (Runner-up): An aspiring country king who almost didn't audition because he was "deathly afraid" of karaoke as a kid.
- Breanna Nix (Third Place): A powerhouse vocalist and a mom who brought her young son, Emerson, along for the ride.
John Foster really gave Jamal a run for his money. He had that classic country grit that Idol fans usually eat up. During the finale, his performance of "Jailhouse Rock" showed he wasn't just a "stand-and-sing" guy anymore—he actually learned how to move. It wasn't enough to beat Jamal, but it solidified him as a legitimate star in the Nashville scene.
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Then you had Breanna Nix. She was the first of the three to be eliminated during the finale, finishing in third. It was a bit of a heartbreaker because she’d been a wildcard favorite from the start. Her performance of "Up to the Mountain" in the earlier rounds is still being talked about in fan forums as one of the best of the season.
The Top 5 and the Shocking "Almost" Exit
Before we got to the final three, the Top 5 was rounded out by Slater Nalley and Thunderstorm Artis. Now, if those names sound familiar, it might be because Thunderstorm Artis wasn't exactly a rookie. He actually placed third on The Voice a few years back.
Interestingly, a story just broke in early January 2026 where Thunderstorm revealed he almost quit the show mid-season. Apparently, the pressure of the Top 24 was so intense he nearly walked away before the live shows even started. Can you imagine? The guy finishes in the Top 5 and almost wasn't there to begin with.
Slater Nalley was the other one in that final group. He was the indie-rocker of the bunch. He famously took a literal tumble off the stage during a non-filmed exit early in the season, but he recovered well enough to make it nearly to the end. He brought a "cool factor" that the show sometimes lacks.
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Why This Season Felt Different
A lot of people ask who are the finalist on American Idol because they want to know if the talent is actually getting better or if we're just recycling the same sounds. Season 23 felt like a legitimate step up. Maybe it was the "Carrie Underwood Effect." Having a former winner as a judge seemed to make the contestants work harder. They couldn't give her excuses because she’d literally been in their shoes.
The Top 10 was a diverse mix, too. We had:
- Jamal Roberts
- John Foster
- Breanna Nix
- Slater Nalley
- Thunderstorm Artis
- Gabby Samone
- Mattie Pruitt
- Canaan James Hill
- Josh King
- Filo
Gabby Samone and Mattie Pruitt were the two who just missed out on the Top 5. It was a controversial night. Luke Bryan was visibly upset when Mattie was sent home, saying she had "become a star" right in front of them. Mattie was only 16, which is wild when you consider the power she had behind her voice.
Looking Ahead to Season 24
If you missed out on the Season 23 madness, don't worry. Auditions for Season 24 are already moving. Miranda Lambert even popped up during the 2025 finale to announce that the search for the next "Idol" was officially on.
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The biggest takeaway from looking at who the finalists were is that American Idol has pivoted back to raw talent over "viral moments." Jamal Roberts didn't have a TikTok gimmick. He just had a voice that could stop traffic.
If you're planning to follow along for the next round, keep an eye on the "Platinum Ticket" winners. In Season 22, Abi Carter won the whole thing after getting a Platinum Ticket, and while Jamal didn't have one, the momentum usually starts early.
What to Do Now
If you want to keep up with the Season 23 finalists or prepare for the new season, here’s what you should do:
- Check out Jamal Roberts' new music: His winner's single "Liar" is already charting, and it's a great look into the direction his debut album will take.
- Follow Breanna Nix on social media: She’s been very vocal about the "mom-life" balance in the music industry, and her behind-the-scenes content is actually pretty inspiring.
- Sign up for Season 24 alerts: If you think you've got the pipes, ABC usually hosts virtual "Idol Across America" auditions starting in late summer.
The show might be decades old, but as Jamal proved, there is still plenty of room for a life-changing voice to break through the noise.