‘Biggest Finale Vote in Show History’—Meet Jamal Roberts, the Inspiring Winner of American Idol 2025
A school gym teacher turned singer—plus, this judge knew he’d win before the finale
Season 23 of American Idol officially came to a close on Sunday, May 18, and trust us when we say the finale had it all. Between Jessica Simpson’s controversial return to the show’s stage after 15 years away and the shocking eliminations that were made, it was truly an epic end to a stellar season. Below, we look at everything that happened, including who won American Idol in 2025. Read on for more.
Who won ‘American Idol’ 2025?
After a three-hour finale, consisting of performances by the remaining three contestants—Jamal Roberts, John Foster and Breanna Nix—host Ryan Seacrest took the stage to announce that Roberts had won Season 23 of American Idol thanks to the “biggest finale vote in show history.”
Following that announcement, Roberts celebrated his win by performing “Her Heart” by Anthony Hamilton.
“From my first step on that stage to this unbelievable moment, I never dreamed a kid from my hometown would one day be called American Idol. This journey has been bigger than me, and I’m so grateful for every person who believed in me when I was just chasing a dream,” the singer wrote on Instagram. “Most of all, I hope my girls see this and know that with faith, hard work, and heart, anything is possible. To my city, my family, and everyone out there grinding for something greater, this is our victory.
“Now, I get to make music with the best in the world and share my story. But this isn’t the end… It’s just the beginning. From the bottom of my heart…. THANK YOU! None of this happens without y’all.”
Prior to joining American Idol, Roberts, 48, worked as an elementary school gym teacher in Mississippi. He has three kids, one of whom he welcomed during the show.
“I did have a beautiful baby girl,” Roberts said during the May 5 episode of American Idol. “It was so personal to me, I did not share it. But I have a healthy, beautiful baby girl that was born today.”
How Jamal Roberts went from gym teacher to superstar
Ever since he sang “Mary Jane” by Rick James during the show’s open call auditions, America and the American Idol judges—Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan—fell in love with him thanks to his likable personality and unique voice.
“What I love about it is it was really like southern soulfulness. Was it perfect? Was it flawless? No. But you’re not trying to sing it perfectly and flawless. You’re just singing it from the heart. And that’s what I felt,” Bryan said after Robert’s first performance.
The country music star then went on to congratulate Roberts on his win, writing on Instagram, “What a way to close out the season! Congrats.”
This came after Bryan said during the semi-finals on Monday, May 12, that he had a “gut feeling” that Roberts would become the show’s lead.
Also in Roberts’s corner is former American Idol winner and country music icon Underwood, who wrote on Instagram, “Congratulations to the newest winner of @americanidol !!! I’m so proud of @officialjamalroberts and all he has accomplished this season and I can’t wait to see what mountains he climbs next! He’s going to do great things!”
Underwood won the show back in 2005 and has gone on to win several different music awards.
What do the winners of ‘American Idol’ get?
Now that Roberts has been crowned the winner, he is expected to get a $250,000 cash prize and a recording contract with a studio. He will also most likely make an appearance in the show’s 24th season, as past winners have done the same.
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