American Idol 2024 Top 3 FINAL rankings and winner prediction, Facebook views and fan poll results
American Idol season 23 reaches its climax on Sunday, May 18, when host Ryan Seacrest will reveal the winner. The Top 3 finalists—John Foster, Jamal Roberts and Breanna Nix—each bring distinct strengths to the finale. Below we present our final Top 3 rankings, a summary of fan poll results (who will win vs. who should win), the latest Facebook view totals for key performances, and our final prediction for the crown.
American Idol 2025 Top 3 Rankings
3. Breanna Nix
Breanna Nix has connected with viewers through a candid story about her lifelong struggles with self-confidence. Judges and fans alike note that the stage is where she feels safest, and she truly excels in gospel-influenced material. Her vocal power and occasional Carrie Underwood-like runs allow her to cross into country, pop and R&B territory when the song fits. While she’s sometimes picked material that didn’t showcase her best, her emotional delivery and relatable backstory have made her a favorite. Expect Breanna to land in the top three on finale night and likely finish third, though a strong post-show career—perhaps in Christian or contemporary gospel music—is likely.
2. Jamal Roberts
Jamal Roberts has consistently impressed as a versatile entertainer. A former physical education teacher from Meridian, Mississippi, Jamal commands both large, theatrical moments and quiet, intimate balladry. He makes songs his own through dynamic phrasing and dramatic interpretation, and he has accumulated significant social media traction throughout the season. Several judges and industry observers have tipped him as a favorite, and he remains a strong contender to win. Jamal’s combination of showmanship, vocal range and personality make him one of the season’s most compelling finalists.
1. John Foster
John Foster arrives at the finale as the likely frontrunner. The 18-year-old country singer may not have the widest vocal range in the Top 3, but his tone is immediately radio-friendly—clear, warm and polished. Combined with his natural charm, likeability and on-stage confidence, John checks many boxes Idol winners have needed in recent seasons. Country artists have performed very well on American Idol’s ABC era, and John fits that successful template. His social media numbers and fanbase growth throughout the season further solidify his top ranking.
American Idol 2025 Top 3 Final Polls
Fan sentiment is split between who voters believe will win and who they think should win. More than half of poll participants predict John Foster will take the title, while a significant portion feels Jamal Roberts is the more deserving winner. Overall, the Top 2 looks set to be a tight contest between John and Jamal. Poll results also show that most fans are satisfied with the Top 3 selections, with nearly half saying no one was unfairly eliminated in the Top 5.
Season 23 receives strong marks from viewers: the majority of voters grade the season an A, reflecting positive engagement with the contestants, performances and production.
Who WILL Win American Idol 2025?
- John Foster – 53.64%
- Jamal Roberts – 34.38%
- Breanna Nix – 11.98%
Who SHOULD Win American Idol 2025?
- Jamal Roberts – 44.96%
- John Foster – 39.71%
- Breanna Nix – 15.32%
Grade for American Idol season 23
- A – 56.56%
- B – 30.23%
- C – 10.14%
- D – 1.77%
- F – 1.30%
Top 5 contestant robbed (or not)
- Nobody was Robbed – 47.12%
- Thunderstorm Artis – 33.20%
- Slater Nalley – 19.69%
Facebook views
Facebook view totals offer a useful snapshot of audience engagement. This week, the totals are divided between John and Jamal. Jamal led Top 5 night with his performance of “Beauty and the Beast,” while John’s Top 7 performance of “Believe” generated more than 2 million views—nearly double some of his competitors’ counts. Breanna’s clips show smaller view totals compared to the other two finalists, which could signal a tougher road to the top spot.
Top 3 revealed — Top 5 performances (Facebook view counts)
- Jamal Roberts – Beauty and the Beast – 1.1M
- John Foster – Rainbow Connection – 833.6K
- John Foster – The Bare Necessities – 765.3K
- Jamal Roberts – Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – 415.2K
- Breanna Nix – You’ll Be in My Heart – 162.2K
- Breanna Nix – This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) – 157.2K
Top 5 revealed — Top 7 performances (Facebook view counts)
- John Foster – Believe – 2.2M
- Jamal Roberts – A Change is Gonna Come – 1.3M
- John Foster – Almost There – 392.3K
- Jamal Roberts – Go the Distance – 403.6K
- Breanna Nix – Like My Mother Does – 313.6K
- Breanna Nix – Reflection – 192.8K
- Slater Nalley – Can You Feel the Love Tonight – 164.9K
- Thunderstorm Artis – Colors of the Wind – 132.2K
- Slater Nalley – Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright – 131.5K
- Thunderstorm Artis – Out of the Blue (Original) – 106.9K
Final prediction
Prediction: John Foster will win American Idol. He combines radio-ready country vocals, youthful charisma and strong viewer appeal—traits that have helped recent country contestants succeed on the ABC-era Idol. John’s performances have consistently driven viewership and engagement, suggesting a solid voting base heading into finale night.
That said, Jamal Roberts cannot be counted out. His dynamic performances, wide vocal range and commanding stage presence make him a formidable rival. The finale’s Top 2 showdown between John and Jamal promises to be competitive and entertaining.
Breanna Nix is projected to finish third, but her distinctive gospel-tinged voice and passionate delivery should open doors after the show, particularly in contemporary Christian and gospel markets.
American Idol finale guest stars
The three-hour season finale will feature a lineup of guest performers alongside the finalists, including Patti LaBelle, Good Charlotte, Goo Goo Dolls, Josh Groban, Brandon Lake, Jessica Simpson, Salt-N-Pepa, Myles Smith, Kirk Franklin, The War and Treaty, PJ Morton and Jennifer Holliday. Artist in Residence Jelly Roll and the judges—Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie—will also perform.
Confirmed duet pairings include Gabby Samone with Jennifer Holliday, Thunderstorm Artis with The War and Treaty, and Kolbi Jordan singing with mentor Patti LaBelle.
The American Idol 2025 finale airs live coast to coast on ABC on Sunday, May 18, beginning at 8 PM EDT and streaming on Hulu.