After beating out 120,000 “American Idol” hopefuls for a shot at stardom in 2025, only three contestants remained as the three-hour, season 23 finale kicked off on May 18, 2025. Finalists John Foster, Breanna Nix, and Jamal Roberts were set to perform again for judges Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie — and for millions of viewers tuning in live.
The top 3 singers have less than three hours to earn viewers’ votes (here’s how!) during the star-studded finale. Early votes will determine who lands in third place, announced by host Ryan Seacrest halfway through the show. EntertainmentNow has live coverage throughout the night, with minute-by-minute updates on the night’s performances, feedback, and voting results.
‘American Idol’ 2025 Season Finale: 1st Hour Live Recap
Foster, Nix, and Roberts have lots to navigate during the live finale, reuniting for group performances with the top 14 contestants and duets with huge stars. They kicked off the live show singing Queen’s “We Are the Champions” together. Seacrest then introduced the judges, looking very spiffy for the grand finale, with Richie and Bryan both in tuxedo suits and Underwood in a golden gown.
Artist-in-residence Jelly Roll mentored the top 3 on their first songs of the evening, choosing one tune from their own lists of favorite songs. Here’s how it went:
JOHN FOSTER: From the 18-year-old’s list, Jelly Roll chose Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (the Angry American).” As they rehearsed, Foster shared how much he’s loved receiving so much support across the country. All three judges gave Foster a standing ovation for his performance. Richie said it was the “perfect song,” joking that he might be running for office. Underwood said she was “so proud” of him for “pulling out all the stops.” Bryan said Foster’s “whole disposition has changed” since he first auditioned, from his voice to his confidence. At the end, he dedicated his tune to military veterans including his grandfathers, who were in the audience. He also said “it would be the absolute honor of a lifetime if they think this little ‘ol boy from Louisiana” could be the next “American Idol.”
JAMAL ROBERTS: Jelly Roll remembered seeing Roberts sing Teeks’ “First Time” on TikTok in 2024, and teared up hearing the 27-year-old dad of three rehearse the song. Dressed in a white suit, Roberts sauntered past the audience, grabbing fans’ hands as he sang and smiling brightly, as he made his way back to center stage. The judges gave him a standing ovation, too. Underwood told him, “You are just so talented” and that he looked “so at ease,” congratulating him on “being here.” Bryan then asked him, “Will you teach me how to be that smooth?” He said people ask him about Roberts because “everything about you is a star, everything!” Richie told Bryan, “If you have to think about it, it’s wrong. The fella’s not thinking about it!” Richie said that he loves how Roberts is able to “navigate a story,” and then he and Bryan joked about how Roberts even makes his “ooooohs” sound cool. Seacrest noted that Roberts seems to be smiling more, and the singer admitted, “I’m excited!”
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