Jamal Roberts Crowned American Idol Season 23 Winner in Historic Finale

Jamal Roberts has emerged as the winner of American Idol Season 23, marking a historic achievement in the show’s history.

The season kicked off on March 2, 2025, airing on ABC with judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood. Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, the grand finale aired on May 18, 2025, where Roberts triumphed over fellow finalists John Foster and Breanna Nix.

An impressive 27 million votes were cast during the finale, surpassing the total from the previous season.

With his victory, Roberts secures a recording contract with Hollywood Records, which includes a $125,000 signing bonus, an additional $100,000 upon completing his debut album, and a recording budget of up to $300,000.

Roberts’ win is especially notable as he becomes only the second Black male contestant to win the title in the show’s 22-year history, following Ruben Studdard’s Season 2 victory.

A proud father of three, Roberts also welcomed his youngest daughter shortly before the finale.