Things are getting down to the wire on American Idol Season 23. At the Top 5, over 19 million votes came in, whittling the contestants down to the Top 3. So, who is going to win American Idol 2025? We have a few predictions!
Like the episode prior, the remaining five contestants filmed live at Disneyland, once again aided by songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda. Following their hero and villain-themed arrangements, the stage lights dramatically lowered, signaling another fork in the road for two singers who stood atop. Despite their departures from this series, we know all five of these performers are going places, aided by their talents and the platform American Idol provided.
Here are the Top 3 contestants who are moving forward, ranked in the order we feel they might land in the finale episode of American Idol Season 23.
Who made the Top 5 on American Idol? (Season 23, 2025)
- Breanna Nix
- Jamal Roberts
- John Foster
As this season progresses, the goodbyes are becoming increasingly difficult to witness and report on, as every one of these rising stars is talented and equally giving it their all on American Idol Season 23. Nevertheless, as the lights dimmed, Slater Nalley and Thunderstorm Artis learned their fates, which failed to fall in their favor. There can only be one winner on American Idol Season 23, and Slater and Thunderstorm will, unfortunately, not be it.
When Slater took the stage, he tried something new. Taking a seat in front of his microphone, Slater performed You’ve Got a Friend in Me by Randy Newman, noticeably leaving his guitar out of his set. Slater next performed Born to Be Wild, nailing his rendition, as always. However, his efforts proved not enough to win over his voting public.
Singer Thunderstorm is a whole vibe. Dedicating his songs to his children, Thunderstorm performed A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes alongside Find Yourself, seeing all three judges praise his emotional deliveries. Sadly, Thunderstorm still got the axe at the end of this live taping.
3. Breanna Nix
Breanna Nix is getting votes left and right, yet we do not predict an overall win for this sweet soul. However, her popularity and impressive tone still saw Breanna land among the Top 3 contestants at the end of the last live taping of American Idol Season 23.
Singing This Will Be from The Parent Trap, followed by You’ll Be in My Heart, a song featured in the Disney film Tarzan, nerves seemingly got the best of Breanna right out of the gate.
“I feel like the second half, you were, ‘everything’s going to be okay.’ [But] The first half, you were a little unsure. People at home don’t know how much is going on. You’re preparing for the finale, and family is here. For your next performance, have fun,” Carrie Underwood implored.
Later, Breanna returned to the stage to perform her second song, which she dedicated to her husband. Her voice filled the auditorium. But again, we do not predict Breanna will take home the win on American Idol Season 23. Nevertheless, we have no doubts that Breanna will drop a solid Christian album after this season wraps, which her growing legion of fans will likely happily consume.
2. John Foster
John Foster is the leading country crooner this season on American Idol. We cannot deny his talents and general appeal, but we can deny that John might take home a win during the finale of Season 23. This series has seen many country artists over the years. Unfortunately for John, however, there is one remaining competitor in this competition that we predict might edge him out of this series.
First up, John sang The Bare Necessities from The Jungle Book, accurately hitting every note. Halfway through, John smiled at the audience before kicking his tempo up several notches, which everyone loved.
Ending his performances with the song Rainbow Connection, Luke Bryan noted that John has an original voice and presence. Likewise, Lionel Richie stressed that John carries a high “likeability” factor, which we agree with. Meanwhile, Carrie said that his song “was just a good time,” and she enjoyed hearing this childhood song redone by John.
John is going places. But if our predictions ring true, John will not take home the win on American Idol Season 23.
1. Jamal Roberts
Mark our words. We predict that Jamal Roberts will win American Idol Season 23. Jamal consistently knocks his performances out of the park. He is an original competitor with a unique voice, and he also has a strong skillset when it comes to connecting with his audiences, time after time, without fail.
First up, Jamal performed Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, effortlessly nailing this song. He even encouraged his audience to join him by raising their arms and clapping their hands above their heads. In response, Luke and Lionel jumped to their feet at the end of his performance, with Luke yelling, “Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out!”
Finishing strong with the title track from Beauty and the Beast, Jamal put an original spin on this Disney classic, causing Lionel to ask, “How did you make this an R&B song? How did you do that? Only you could pull that off.”
We agree with Lionel, who expressed that Jamal knows how to “Jamalarize” every song in the book. For this aspect, alongside his talent, stage presence, and warm nature, we predict that Jamal will win American Idol Season 23.
American Idol is streaming on Hulu.
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