Jamal Roberts, American Idol 2025 Winner

The first runner-up is much cuter.

Apparently he won by a record number of votes.

My god this show is so done. And no- this guy will not be a star. Who is still watching this?

I think the 1st runner-up John Foster is going to have a big career.

He has a great voice, and country music fans will love him.

Plus, he's cute.

John tried to bribe the judges with some Louisiana Cajun food, at his audition.

He's adorable.

Is the winner country singer?

My friend watches the show and told me the country singer is very good and he's still in college!

R7 he just graduated from high school last year (2024).

Valedictorian, too.

r8 Aged out.

[quote]Do you think he will make it big?

No.

And that song sucks donkey dick.

did people seriously still watch this shit?

Few AI winners have made it big, no? There's Kelly and Carrie, Fantasia has her niche. Jordin had a hit or two. Phillip Phillps must be rich from his song being featured in every commercial for years. The rest? I couldn't name a single song. Looking at a list of winners, I realize the last one I've ever even heard of is S12's Candace Glover (note: Season 23 just completed). Runners up seem to do just as well, i.e., working careers but not stars. But JHud, Daughtry and maybe Adam Lambert are stand outs.

there were a few who made it to broadway...

They are both cute but the country singer seems more a more relaxed and natural talent. The black dude is handsome with fabulous teeth.

Justin Guarini had his tv commercials.

Katharine McPhee married David Foster.

Carrie Underwood is facing heavy backlash online after "American Idol" viewers perceived her reaction to singer Jamal Roberts' victory in the show as less than enthusiastic.

Although the country music superstar has since shared a personal post congratulating Roberts on his win, netizens claim she is only doing "damage control" after being called out.

Carrie Underwood has since returned home and revealed that her farm welcomed a new baby lamb on the same day the "American Idol" finale aired.

"American Idol" fans criticized Underwood for what they perceived as her "unhappy" expression after Jamal Roberts was crowned season 23 winner.

The show wrapped up on Sunday, May 18, with finalists Breanna Nix, John Foster, and Roberts performing alongside Season 23 mentor Jelly Roll, Jessica Simpson, Salt-N-Pepa, Goo Goo Dolls, Josh Groban, and Patti LaBelle.

After a three-hour entertaining showdown, 27-year-old Roberts, who hails from Meridian, Mississippi, and works as an elementary school teacher, was crowned champion and was greeted with a standing ovation by all three judges, Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Underwood.

However, when Roberts started performing Anthony Hamilton's "Her Heart" as his final song, Underwood was seen sitting back while the other judges remained standing.

The country singer seemingly barely acknowledged Roberts when she and the other judges got on stage to celebrate his win, which also raised eyebrows.

The "Before He Cheats" singer's perceived lack of excitement quickly drew the ire of many viewers, who took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their disappointment.

One person wrote, "She was just nasty, biased, and unmoved the ENTIRE season. Of course, you root for your fave(s) internally. But her outright displays were atrocious. Her disdain was so obvious. I hope she is NOT there ever again!"

Another noted called the singer out for saying Roberts lacked "stage presence." They said," 'He lacked stage presence?!?' So did she on her season. Why is she acting like she doesn't know what it's like to be a contestant on this show?"

One fan mocked Underwood, claiming she "wanted country boy to win," while another said they "see right through her bullsh-t."

I was really glad he won. He definitely has star quality. But the best singer this season was Gabby Samone, who got booted way too early. Hopefully some producer or record label will scoop her up. She could be huge.

No one who has won any of these "talent" shows in the last 10 or so years has ever gone on to anything meaningful. They only exist to promote the celebrity judges.

For some ungodly reason, I watched this season.

Jamal was my favorite since day one. His voice is incredible and he comes across like a fantastic human.

The country singer sounds like a million other country singers. I think Ms Underwood wanted a little piece of young cowboy cock.

Oh please, they kept the cowboy in so they can get ratings from the red states

I gave up when the insanely talented Haley Reinhart came in third behind two country teenage singers.

I have seen her twice in concert…once years ago with Postmodern Jukebox and last year in a solo concert. Great show. She really is fantastic. Not sure why she’s not a huge star.