American Idol has crowned its newest winner.
During Sunday’s live finale, three contestants took the stage to deliver their final performances of the season — and make their last bid to be crowned the victor of season 23. In the end, Mississippi P.E. teacher Jamal Roberts won the title of the next American Idol.
Roberts, 27, beat out John Foster and Breanna Nix, the runners-up who placed second and third, respectively. He celebrated his win with a final performance of “Her Heart” by Anthony Hamilton.
“HOWWWW is this even real?!?!,” Roberts later wrote on Instagram. “From my first step on that stage to this unbelievable moment, I never dreamed a kid from my hometown would one day be called American Idol. This journey has been bigger than me, and I’m so grateful for every person who believed in me when I was just chasing a dream.”
Jamal Roberts and Ryan Seacrest on ‘American Idol’. Disney/Christopher Willard
He also made mention of his three daughters, adding, “Most of all, I hope my girls see this and know that with faith, hard work, and heart, anything is possible. To my city, my family, and everyone out there grinding for something greater, this is our victory. Now, I get to make music with the best in the world and share my story. But this isn’t the end… it’s just the beginning.”
Right at the start of his American Idol journey, Roberts made a big impression on the judges by auditioning with Rick James’ “Mary Jane.”
Lionel Richie was blown away, telling Roberts, “You got the voice and you know how to tell a story. Priceless.”
Luke Bryan added, “What I love about it is it was really like southern soulfulness. Was it perfect? Was it flawless? No. But you’re not trying to sing it perfectly and flawless. You’re just singing it from the heart. And that’s what I felt.”
‘American Idol’ finalists John Foster, Breanna Nix, and Jamal Roberts. Disney/Christopher Willard
Carrie Underwood echoed this sentiment and encouraged Roberts to “loosen up,” saying, “You need some swagger… Just loosen up and let your body match your voice.”
Roberts earned a “yes” from all three judges. Weeks later, after the May 12 semi-finals, Bryan told PEOPLE that he had “gut-feeling” about the singer’s ability to lead the competition.
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“When you look at every time Breanna gets through, we’re like, ‘She keeps showing up and making it happen.’ And then John Foster just seems to be gaining momentum,” he said. “Even if it’s something that Jamal kind of [has] the reins of, it could change with a little bit of not focus[ing], so they gotta be focused all the way to the end. The music business never is not like that. You’ve gotta focus every day.”
Jessica Simpson performs during the ‘American Idol’ season 23 finale. Disney/Christopher Willard
Outside of the three finalists, the finale saw several other stars take the stage. Jamal shared a duet with the season’s “artist in residence,” Jelly Roll; John took the stage with Bryan; and Breanna sang alongside Brandon Lake. Additionally, legendary singer Patti LaBelle showed up to sing with former contestants Kolbi Jordan, and Jessica Simpson delivered her first TV performance in 15 years.
Simpson sang her new song “Blame Me,” and teamed up with former contestant Josh King for a rendition of Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Are Made For Walkin.'”
Other performances included former American Idol hopeful Canaan James Hill joining gospel singer Kirk Franklin, The War and Treaty performing with former contestant Thunderstorm Artis, and all three judges teaming up for Richie’s “Stuck on You.”
