After rocketing to "American Idol's" top 3, Louisiana teen John Foster finished second in the ABC singing competition series during its grand finale on Sunday night. Grabbing the "Idol" title was Jamal Roberts, 27, of Meridian, Mississippi, an elementary school P.E. teacher.

It’s celebration time for Jamal Roberts!A historic moment was marked in Season 23 of American Idol, when a 27-year-old Mississippi-based teacher, Jamal, got crowned as the winner of the 2025 show, becoming the first black male to win

American Idol runner-up John Foster says he “barely” caught a sneak peek at host Ryan Seacrest‘s envelope before Jamal Roberts was announced as the winner of Season 23. Roberts, however, definitely did not know that he’d won until he’d heard his name.

American Idol has crowned the season 23 winner: Jamal Roberts! The Mississippi native first made his mark during the audition round when he sang "Mary Jane" by Rick James, earning him a "yes" from all three judges — including former champ Carrie Underwood — and a ticket to Hollywood.