Seasons · ABC

Season 23 (2025)

Aired on ABC from March 2, 2025 to May 18, 2025. The 14 finalists (Top 14): the contestants listed for season 23 in the Contestants table of Wikipedia's List of American Idol finalists, the same group as the season's finals and elimination chart. Contestants cut at the Top 24 and Top 20 stages are not finalists.^⁠[1][2]

Finalists

• Winner
• Runner-up
• Other finalists

Season 23 finalists: show result, then career after the show

Finalist	Show result	After the show
Jamal Roberts	Winner⁠[1][2] Last competed May 18, 2025	Jamal Roberts released his debut album, The Journey, on October 2, 2026, through 19 Recordings under exclusive license to BMG. At the 68th Annual Grammy Awards in 2026 he was nominated for Best Gospel Performance/Song for Still (Live) with Jonathan McReynolds. After his 2025 American Idol win, he joined Brandy and Monica on The Boy Is Mine Tour.⁠[3][4][5]
JFJohn Foster	Runner-up⁠[1][2] Last competed May 18, 2025	John Foster, the season 23 runner-up from Addis, Louisiana, first released Tell That Angel I Love Her himself on July 26, 2023. A new recording came out on May 18, 2025, through 19 Recordings under exclusive license to BMG. By August 1, 2025, he had made his Grand Ole Opry debut. 19 Recordings released Little Goes A Long Way on October 24, 2025. On January 1, 2026, he was the musical guest on Louisiana's float in the Tournament of Roses Parade.⁠[6][7][8]
Breanna Nix	Third place⁠[1][2] Last competed May 18, 2025	Breanna Nix, a season 23 finalist from Denton, Texas, released Higher on May 18, 2025, and Another Mile on November 7, 2025. She is featured on Brandon Lake's live recording of Daddy's DNA on the King of Hearts deluxe edition released June 16, 2025.⁠[9][10]
JKJosh King	Eliminated (8th)⁠[1][2] Last competed May 5, 2025	Josh King is a Charlotte, North Carolina singer and pianist who has played as a volunteer at Charlotte Douglas International Airport since 2018. On November 27, 2025, he released the single Gingerbread Man on Kings Forge Records.⁠[11][12][13]
SNSlater Nalley	Eliminated (4th–5th)⁠[1][2] Last competed May 12, 2025	Slater Nalley, an Atlanta native living in Nashville, announced on October 17, 2025 a record deal with Warner Music Nashville/Warner Records in partnership with 19 Entertainment, and he released Foolish Pride that day. His six-track debut EP, Hey Georgia, came out on August 21, 2026. On September 25, 2026 he released What Do You See?. By then he had made his Grand Ole Opry debut and was on Blake Whiten's Something to Say Tour through fall 2026.⁠[14][15][16]
TAThunderstorm Artis	Eliminated (4th–5th)⁠[1][2] Last competed May 12, 2025	Thunderstorm Artis was born in Kailua, grew up in Hale'iwa, and is based in Nashville. The Voice season 18 ran from February 24 to May 19, 2020. John Legend coached him, Nick Jonas stole him in the knockouts, and he finished third. He released the EP Haunted on June 4, 2018, and I Just Want You to Know on May 18, 2025. On October 25, 2025 he opened for The War and Treaty at Mr. Smalls Theatre in Millvale, Pennsylvania. Good Enough for Me came out on August 21, 2026 under his own name.⁠[17][18][19][20][21]
GSGabby Samone	Eliminated (6th–7th)⁠[1][2] Last competed May 11, 2025	Gabby Samone, a Baltimore singer, released the single Safe on August 14, 2026, through 19 Recordings under exclusive license to BMG. She was a finalist on season 23 of American Idol. In 2025 she performed during NFL Sunday Night Football, and she appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show at the top of 2026.⁠[22][23][24]
Mattie Pruitt	Eliminated (6th–7th)⁠[1][2] Last competed May 11, 2025	Mattie Pruitt released Strings on May 18, 2025, through 19 Recordings under exclusive license to BMG. She is signed to 19 Recordings in partnership with Graffiti Sound. On July 10, 2026, Alex Sampson and Mattie Pruitt released Like Me.⁠[25][26]
CJCanaan James Hill	Eliminated (9th–10th)⁠[1][2] Last competed May 4, 2025	Canaan James Hill, a season 23 finalist from Dallas, released the six-song EP He Will Be There on June 4, 2026, through Groove Mine Music. A June 24, 2026 announcement said the single He Will Be There was available, and named Encourage, Amazing, Bless Ya Name, and O Come All Ye Faithful among his songs.⁠[27][28][29]
KJKolbi Jordan	Eliminated (9th–10th)⁠[1][2] Last competed May 4, 2025	Kolbi Jordan was scheduled to play Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray in Tulsa from September 12 through September 21, 2025. She released Waiting on November 28, 2025, and Epiphany (LSTN Live) on May 13, 2026.⁠[30][31]
CChé	Eliminated (11th–12th)⁠[1][2] Last competed April 28, 2025	Ché Chesterman, from Basildon, finished third on The X Factor in December 2015, took part in The X Factor Live Tour in 2016, and competed on American Idol season 23. As of March 22, 2026 he worked as a singer and songwriter, with private bookings that included weddings, and he was booked to sing at a ball in Bulphan in May.⁠[2][32][33]
FFilo	Eliminated (11th–12th)⁠[1][2] Last competed April 28, 2025	Filo, also known as Filo Ebid, completed a master's degree in Contemporary Performance at Berklee Valencia in 2024 and released the debut single Find My Intention on March 14, 2025, under exclusive license to Disrupción Records. He held the title role in Into the Woods at Pacific Opera Theatre in 2022.⁠[34][35][36]
ABAmanda Barise	Eliminated (13th–14th)⁠[1][2] Last competed April 27, 2025	Amanda Barise, a New Jersey native who has lived in Chelsea, New York, since 2019, released the single Cute and Deadly on May 14, 2025, and a three-track set of the same name on June 25, 2025, through Hit Pit Tunes.⁠[37][38][39]
DRDesmond Roberts	Eliminated (13th–14th)⁠[1][2] Last competed April 27, 2025	Desmond Roberts, who grew up in Orange County, said in an August 18, 2021 profile that he had graduated from Berklee College of Music as a songwriting major and was working as a singer and songwriter for hire. On April 5, 2025 he was teaching music, living in Corona, and working in Los Angeles.⁠[40][41]

Sources

41 sources

1. List of American Idol finalists — Wikipedia, updated June 10, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
   Cited parts (8) of source 1

   • Contestants table, the 14 rows with Season 23
   • Contestants table, row Jamal Roberts: Season 23, Place finish Winner
   • Contestants table, row John Foster: Season 23, Place finish Runner-up
   • Contestants table, row Breanna Nix: Season 23, Place finish 3rd
   • Contestants table, row Josh King: Season 23, Place finish 8th
   • Contestants table, row Slater Nalley: Season 23, Place finish 4th-5th
   • Contestants table, row Thunderstorm Artis: Season 23, Place finish 4th-5th
   • Contestants table, row Gabby Samone: Season 23, Place finish 6th-7th
2. American Idol season 23 — Wikipedia, updated April 10, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
   Cited parts (8) of source 2

   • Finals section (Top 14 to Finale tables); Elimination chart
   • Lead section: “Jamal Roberts won the season on May 18, 2025, while John Foster was the runner-up, and Breanna Nix finished in third place.”
   • Lead section; Top 3 – Finale (May 18) table; Elimination chart, row Jamal Roberts: Pl. 1, 5/18 Winner; ratings table, episode 19 Grand Finale, May 18, 2025: “Jamal Roberts won the season on May 18, 2025”
   • Lead section; Top 3 – Finale (May 18) table; Elimination chart, row John Foster: Pl. 2, 5/18 Runner-up: “John Foster was the runner-up”
   • Lead section; Top 3 – Finale (May 18) table (Third place); Elimination chart, row Breanna Nix: Pl. 3, 5/18 Third place: “Breanna Nix finished in third place”
   • Top 8 – Judges' Song Contest (May 5) table (Eliminated); Elimination chart, row Josh King: Pl. 8, 5/5 column
   • Top 5 – Disney Night #2: Heroes & Villains (May 12) table (Eliminated); Elimination chart, row Slater Nalley: Pl. 4 (shared), 5/12 column
   • Top 5 – Disney Night #2: Heroes & Villains (May 12) table (Eliminated); Elimination chart, row Thunderstorm Artis: Pl. 4, 5/12 column
3. Jamal Roberts drops debut album The Journey — Rated R&B, published October 3, 2026. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
   Cited parts (2) of source 3

   • Album: “his debut album, The Journey , via 19 Recordings/BMG”
   • Tour: “Roberts joined R&B icons Brandy and Monica on their co-headlining The Boy Is Mine Tour”
4. Apple album search for Jamal Roberts — Apple. Release database. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
   Cited parts (1) of source 4

   • The Journey: "releaseDate":"2026-10-02T07:00:00Z"
5. Jamal Roberts artist page — Recording Academy. Official record. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
   Cited parts (4) of source 5

   • Nomination: “Best Gospel Performance/Song - Nominee Still (Live).”
   • Nomination: “68th Annual Grammy Awards”
   • 2026 row: “2026 Best Gospel Performance/Song”
   • Credited names: “Jonathan McReynolds, Jamal Roberts”
6. Catching up with John Foster — 225 Magazine, published August 1, 2025. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
   Cited parts (3) of source 6

   • Lead: “The 19-year-old singer from Addis”
   • Finish: “finishing as the runner-up”
   • Opry: “hot off his Grand Ole Opry debut”
7. Apple album lookup for John Foster — Apple. Release database. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
   Cited parts (6) of source 7

   • Tell That Angel, 2023: "releaseDate":"2023-07-26T07:00:00Z"
   • Tell That Angel, 2023: "copyright":"℗ 2023 John Foster"
   • Tell That Angel, 2025: "releaseDate":"2025-05-18T07:00:00Z"
   • Tell That Angel, 2025: "copyright":"℗ 2025 19 Recordings, Inc. under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC"
   • Little Goes A Long Way: "releaseDate":"2025-10-24T07:00:00Z"
   • Little Goes A Long Way: "copyright":"℗ 2025 19 Recordings, Inc."
8. “Gulf to Gumbo” float rolled in 2026 Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day — Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, published January 5, 2026. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
   Cited parts (2) of source 8

   • Article: “On New Year's Day, Louisiana showed itself off to the world when it glided its float along the streets of Pasadena, California, for the 2026 Tournament of Roses Parade.”
   • Article, last paragraph: “This year’s musical guest aboard Louisiana’s float was American Idol runner-up John Foster.”
9. Breanna Nix — Wikipedia, updated May 20, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 7, 2026.
   Cited parts (5) of source 9

   • Lead: “finalist from [[Denton, Texas|Denton]]”
   • Career: “debut single, a cover of [[Toby Lightman]]'s "Higher", on May 18, 2025.”
   • Singles: “|"Another Mile"”
   • Feature: “live recording of "[[Daddy's DNA]]" by [[Brandon Lake]]”
   • Feature: “released on June 16, 2025.”
10. Breanna Nix album lookup 1814894218 — Apple. Release database. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (1) of source 10

    • Another Mile - Single: "releaseDate":"2025-11-07T08:00:00Z"
11. Josh King on American Idol 2025 — The Direct, published April 15, 2025. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (1) of source 11

    • Lead: “the Charlotte, North Carolina hopeful”
12. From Idol stage to CLT keys — Charlotte Douglas International Airport, published October 23, 2025. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (1) of source 12

    • Tips section: “King has been a CLT volunteer since 2018”
13. Apple album search for Josh King — Apple. Release database. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (3) of source 13

    • Gingerbread Man: "collectionName":"Gingerbread Man - Single"
    • Gingerbread Man: "releaseDate":"2025-11-27T08:00:00Z"
    • Gingerbread Man: "copyright":"℗ 2025 Kings Forge Records"
14. American Idol semi-finalist Slater Nalley signs a record deal and releases his debut single — Country Music Family, published October 17, 2025. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (4) of source 14

    • Hometown: “an 18-year-old wordsmith and Atlanta native”
    • Announcement: “on Friday, October 17, it was announced that Slater has signed a record deal with Warner Music Nashville/Warner Records”
    • Partner: “19 Entertainment, a part of Sony Pictures Television”
    • Single: “debut single, “Foolish Pride.””
15. Slater Nalley Reflects on New Song, What Do You See?, and Finding His Place in Country Music — Country Now, published September 25, 2026. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (5) of source 15

    • Base: “Nashville resident”
    • EP: “debut EP, Hey Georgia”
    • Posted: “September 25, 2026”
    • Opry: “Grand Ole Opry debut”
    • Tour: “Something to Say Tour”
16. Apple album lookup for artist 1796742382 — Apple. Release database. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (3) of source 16

    • Hey Georgia - EP: "releaseDate":"2026-08-21T07:00:00Z"
    • Track count: "trackCount":6
    • What Do You See? - Single: "releaseDate":"2026-09-25T07:00:00Z"
17. Catch this American Idol contestant at Blue Note Hawai'i this month — Aloha State Daily, published June 14, 2025. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (3) of source 17

    • Birthplace: “born in Kailua and grew up in Hale”
    • Base: “based in Nashville, Tennessee”
    • Single: “I Just Want You to Know”
18. The Voice (American TV series) season 18 (Wikipedia revision 1369868529) — Wikipedia, updated August 17, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (1) of source 18

    • Season dates: “ran from February 24 to May 19, 2020”
19. American Idol season 23 (Wikipedia revision 1348008671) — Wikipedia, updated April 10, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (1) of source 19

    • Coaches and place: “Thunderstorm got stolen in the knockout rounds by [[Nick Jonas]]. Thunderstorm got third place”
20. Apple album lookup for artist 1403460514 — Apple. Release database. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (3) of source 20

    • Haunted - EP: "releaseDate":"2018-06-04T07:00:00Z"
    • I Just Want You To Know - Single: "releaseDate":"2025-05-18T07:00:00Z"
    • Good Enough for Me - Single: "releaseDate":"2026-08-21T07:00:00Z"
21. A fitting place setting for some country gospel: 'The War and Treaty' brings soul-infused sound to Mr. Smalls Theatre — The Tartan, published November 3, 2025. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (3) of source 21

    • Review, first paragraph: “On Oct. 25, under the high, arched ceiling of Mr. Smalls Theatre”
    • Review, closing paragraph: “The opening act, Thunderstorm Artis, brought the same high energy”
    • Review: “The War and Treaty stopped by Millvale halfway through a U.S. tour”
22. Gabby Samone biography — Gabby Samone. Label or artist. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (3) of source 22

    • Lead: “Gabby Samone is a Baltimore, MD born vocalist”
    • Idol and 2025: “a finalist on Season 23 of American Idol. In 2025, she reached new audiences with a performance featured during NFL Sunday Night Football”
    • Kelly Clarkson Show: “a guest appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show top of 2026”
23. Gabby Samone official home page — Gabby Samone. Label or artist. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (1) of source 23

    • Home: “NEW SINGLE SAFE”
24. Apple album lookup for Gabby Samone — Apple. Release database. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (2) of source 24

    • Safe: "releaseDate":"2026-08-14T07:00:00Z"
    • Safe: "copyright":"℗ 2026 19 Recordings, Inc. under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC"
25. Apple album search for Mattie Pruitt — Apple. Release database. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (4) of source 25

    • Strings: "releaseDate":"2025-05-18T07:00:00Z"
    • Strings: "copyright":"℗ 2025 19 Recordings, Inc. under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC"
    • Like Me: "artistName":"Alex Sampson & Mattie Pruitt"
    • Like Me: "releaseDate":"2026-07-10T07:00:00Z"
26. Hit The Road Running: Mattie Pruitt — Lakeside Entertainment Group, published March 5, 2026. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (1) of source 26

    • Signing: “She is now signed to 19 Recordings in partnership with Graffiti Sound”
27. Canaan James Hill Releases New Single He Will Be There — The Urban Music Scene, published June 24, 2026. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (6) of source 27

    • Announcement: “He Will Be There”
    • Announcement: “available now”
    • Catalog: “Encourage”
    • Catalog: “Amazing”
    • Catalog: “Bless Ya Name”
    • Catalog: “O Come All Ye Faithful”
28. 17-year-old aspiring preacher takes American Idol to church, earns platinum ticket — Crosswalk, published April 2, 2025, updated April 2, 2025. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (1) of source 28

    • Home: “Canaan James Hill of Dallas”
29. Canaan James Hill lookup for He Will Be There and O Come All Ye Faithful — Apple. Release database. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (2) of source 29

    • He Will Be There - EP: "releaseDate":"2026-06-04T07:00:00Z"
    • He Will Be There - EP: "trackCount":6
30. Kolbi Jordan (American Idol) Interview — Pop Blitz Magazine, published August 3, 2025, updated November 13, 2025. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (2) of source 30

    • Hairspray: “The play will run September 12-21st in Tulsa, Oklahoma.”
    • Byline: “August 3, 2025”
31. Apple album lookup for Kolbi Jordan — Apple. Release database. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (2) of source 31

    • Waiting: "releaseDate":"2025-11-28T08:00:00Z"
    • Epiphany: "releaseDate":"2026-05-13T07:00:00Z"
32. The X Factor (British TV series) series 12 — Wikipedia, published September 30, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (4) of source 32

    • Contestants: “|Ché Chesterman”
    • Contestants: “|[[Basildon]]”
    • Contestants: “|3rd Place”
    • Final: “12 December”
33. X Factor finalist Che Chesterman's life in Basildon — Essex Live, published March 22, 2026. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (4) of source 33

    • Tour: “during the X Factor tour in 2016”
    • Work: “still works as a singer and songwriter”
    • Booking: “In May he's performing at a ball in Bulphan”
    • Booking: “available for private bookings with one video shared on his TikTok showing several past bookings to sing at weddings”
34. Berklee Valencia Alum Stuns American Idol Judges on His Journey to the Top 14 — Berklee Valencia, published April 28, 2025. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (4) of source 34

    • Degree: “Contemporary Performance (Production Concentration)”
    • Degree: “at Berklee Valencia in 2024”
    • Single: “Find My Intention”
    • Label: “Disrupción Records”
35. Filo Ebid on American Idol — University of the Pacific. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (2) of source 35

    • Role: “Into the Woods”
    • Role: “(2022)”
36. Filo album lookup 1840964159 — Apple. Release database. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (1) of source 36

    • Find My Intention - Single: "releaseDate":"2025-03-14T07:00:00Z"
37. American Idol's Amanda Barise emerges fearless on her EP, Cute and Deadly — We Write About Music, published June 24, 2025, updated June 24, 2025. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (2) of source 37

    • Opening: “cements the New Jersey native as one of 2025’s most compelling new voices”
    • Opening: “Dropped on June 25th, just weeks after her Idol journey”
38. Fresh Off Her Top 14 Finish On American Idol Amanda Barise Unleashes Her Infectious New Single 'Cute And Deadly' Today — EIN Presswire, published May 14, 2025, updated May 14, 2025. Label or artist. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (2) of source 38

    • Quote: “To live in Chelsea (NYC) since 2019 paying my bills making music”
    • Lead: “drops her highly anticipated first post-Idol, single “Cute and Deadly."”
39. Amanda Barise album lookup 847636574 — Apple. Release database. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (4) of source 39

    • Cute & Deadly - Single: "releaseDate":"2025-05-14T07:00:00Z"
    • Cute & Deadly - Single: "releaseDate":"2025-06-25T07:00:00Z"
    • Cute & Deadly - Single: "trackCount":3
    • Cute & Deadly - Single: "copyright":"℗ 2025 Hit Pit Tunes"
40. Daily Inspiration: Meet Desmond Roberts — VoyageLA, published August 18, 2021. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (3) of source 40

    • Profile: “I grew up in Orange County”
    • Profile: “graduation from Berklee College of Music as a songwriting major”
    • Profile: “I am a singer/performer and songwriter for hire”
41. Two Southern California talents sing their way to next round of American Idol — ABC7 Los Angeles, published April 5, 2025, updated April 5, 2025. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (2) of source 41

    • Home: “originally from Orange County, now lives in Corona and works in Los Angeles”
    • Work: “who now teaches music”