American Idol Season 23: Who Will Win? And Who Should Win? Vote!
After what feels like the shortest season of American Idol in history, we're now just hours away from finding out which of the remaining finalists — John Foster, Breanna Nix or Jamal Roberts — will be left standing when the confetti falls on Sunday (ABC, 8/7c).
"I just love a dynamic finale that keeps everyone guessing who's going to win," Idol showrunner Megan Michaels Wolflick recently told TVLine. "In the case of other seasons, there might be more of a clear frontrunner, but not this time. It's anyone's game, and that to me is a win at the end of a season."
And Wolflick isn't wrong. TVLine has been polling our readers all season long, and the results are always neck and neck. All three of these contestants have regularly landed at the top of our polls, often with a difference of only 1 or 2% between them.
But while the numbers have consistently been close, the order has also always remained the same: John has led the pack, followed extremely closely by Jamal, then Breanna. If those numbers translate into finale votes, it's fair to predict that John will most likely be crowned your next American Idol. Either way, the results are guaranteed to be very close.
As for which of the finalists should win Season 23, we're now entering completely subjective territory. I'll begin by acknowledging that all three of these singers are phenomenally talented, and none of my opinions imply that any of them don't deserve to win. That said, I think I'd probably be least excited to hear Ryan Seacrest call John's name. I totally get his "aw, shucks" appeal, and you can't deny his outstanding country vocals, but his performances never really wow me. They're always good, but they're rarely exciting. I'm aware that I'm probably in the minority there, and I'm OK with that — again, this one's going to be really close.
This leaves Breanna and Jamal for me, and it's almost too tough to call. Vocally, both have given us jaw-on-the-floor moments, with Jamal regularly serving up some of the smoothest runs I've ever heard on the Idol stage. But something about Breanna gives off big winner energy, with multiple powerful performances — not to mention her instant and enduring connection with judge Carrie Underwood. And hey, wouldn't it be fun for a mom to win Idol? After 23 seasons, it's about time.
OK, enough from me, it's time to hear from you: Which of the Top 3 do you predict will win Season 23, and which singer do you believe should win? Vote in our polls below, then drop a comment with more of your thoughts.