The viewers have spoken, and “American Idol” has crowned a new winner.
As the Season 23 finale came to a close May 18, the fan vote – the majority of all 26 million of them – revealed 27-year-old Mississippi P.E. teacher Jamal Roberts as the latest winner of “American Idol.”
John Foster and Breanna Nix were the runners-up, with Breanna’s elimination announced halfway through the finale.
With his win, Roberts became the first Black man to earn the title since Season 2’s Ruben Studdard, in 2003. For his winner’s song, Jamal crooned Anthony Hamilton’s “Her Heart” as the Top 14 contestants crowded around him in celebration.
The big reveal came after a slate of performances that paired Top 14 singers with guests from Salt-N-Pepa to Jessica Simpson and Good Charlotte.
Jamal performed with the season’s “artist in residence,” Jelly Roll; John took the stage with judge Luke Bryan, and Breanna sang alongside Brandon Lake.
Jamal had come a long way from being told by Carrie Underwood in his audition that he needed to “loosen up” and find some “swagger.” (Though he ultimately received three votes of confidence that sent him to Hollywood Week.)
When he arrived in Hollywood, he was plagued by doubts around his song choices. But as the weeks went by, he found the confidence Underwood was urging him to dig deep for, delivering a lively rendition of the Isley Brothers’ “Shout, Pts. 1 & 2,” an impressive cover of Jelly Roll’s “Liar” that humbled the original artist himself and captivating version of “Beauty and the Beast.”
Throughout the season, Richie often bestowed the same praise on Jamal about having heaven-sent talent; he particularly loved calling him “divinely guided.”