‘American Idol’ judges discuss working with Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood reflects on how “Idol” is different 20 years later while Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan discuss the judges’ decision-making.
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 – all 26 million of them – revealed 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 Carrie Underwood’s predecessor, Season 2’s Ruben Studdard, in 2003. For his winner’s song, Jamal crooned Anthony Hamilton’s “Her Heart.”
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.
The finale arrived more than two months after Season 23 premiered, kicking off a slate of pre-recorded auditions in Nashville, New York and Los Angeles that sent 144 contestants to Hollywood Week.
Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and first-time judge Carrie Underwood were then tasked with whittling the pool down to the Top 24 before “Idol” fans took the baton and used their votes to determine who would make it through each week of the ABC competition show.
Last season’s winner was Abi Carter, who has since released her debut album, “Ghosts in the Backyard.”
