American Idol’s Top 3 of John Foster, Breanna Nix and Jamal Roberts with the show’s judges. (ABC Photo)
The stage is set for Sunday’s three-hour finale on American Idol.
And for finalists the show will feature three artists who would all be deserving winners of the show.
Most seasons, I have a strong hunch as to who will triumph. This season, I’m really not so sure.
Guitar-slinging country males have always resonated with the show’s voters. John Foster sure fits the bill.
I don’t think Idol could have used AI to create a contestant more relatable than Breanna Nix, whose voice soars effortlessly every time she takes the stage.
Then there’s Jamal Roberts, who’s charisma and passion on stage are undeniable.
Here’s how Idol Chatter is ranking the Top 3. But this is a season where if the order was reversed, I’d applaud just the same.
See also …
Idol’s Top 3 react
Song by song grades for the Top 5
Mattie, Gabby, Slater and Thunderstorm on their Idol eliminations
1. Jamal Roberts, 26, Meridian, Miss.: He’s on the verge of becoming the first Black male to win American Idol since Ruben Studdard in Season 2, some 22 years ago. And given the popularity of his performance videos on YouTube, he appears to enter the finale as a slight favorite. His vocals have made him a fan favorite in Season 27. But it’s also the passion with which Jamal performs that makes him so special. His performance of Fantasia’s “I Believe” on Idol Icons Night would make anyone a believer in his talent.
2. John Foster, 18, Addis, La.: Idol has had a country male in the finals every season since the show moved to ABC. But don’t use that as a reason to underestimate John. He’s displayed a great country voice. The original he performed — “Tell That Angel I Love Her” — was one of the best and most moving we heard in Season 27. Most of all, he’s incredibly comfortable on the Idol stage. Didn’t anyone tell him how much pressure he should be feeling? He performs more like a veteran musican with 18 years of experience than an 18-year-old.
3. Breanna Nix, 25, Denton, Texas: When I ranked the Top 14 a month ago, I wrote that Breanna might very well be the last female standing in Season 27. A stay-at-home mom who struggled with self-esteem issues, she auditions for American Idol, not expecting “it to go anywhere” and winds up in the finals. How do you not root for Breanna? Early in the season, I kept waiting for her to falter. She never did. And she’s been at her best lately, especially in Sunday’s show. A Breanna victory would be the capper on one heck of a Cinderella story.
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The producers of “Idol” often have major influence on who wins the season.
They wanted Kelly and Justin for that awful movie that was written by Simon Fuller’s brother, Kim.
Season 3-Allegedly, they wanted Diana to win, until she cracked under the pressure–much of it was because she was too young.
Carrie was pimped as the Chosen One since the Top 10.
Katharine was the Chosen One, but she suffered the backlash for being rich and having a stage mother.
Jordin was announced as the Chosen One during that fake out by Seacrest during the Top 7-“Idol Gives Back.”
Season 7-“The Battle of the Davids.”
Season 8-Gokey until “Dream On” also known as “Scream On.”
Season 9-Lee and Crystal.
Season 10-Scotty and Lauren.
Season 11-Phillip Phillips (especially after that coronation song, “Home”).
Season 12-Candice-hence Burnell being the only the good male singer the Top 10.
Season 13-Caleb-even though he called his fans-“a bunch of retards.”
Season 14-Nick and Clark.
Season 15-Trent and La’Porsha.
Season 16-Maddie and Caleb–they were a couple.
Season 17-Laine-“comeback” story.
Season 18-Treated as a pandemic mess.
Season 19-Chayce.
Season 20-Noah.
Season 21-Iam–the Hawaiian vote.
Season 22-Abi–allegations that her backstory was fudged–“a high school dropout”–she was homeschooled, then briefly went to high school, and then back to homeschooling, and then college.
Of course, Season 2- Ruben Studdard finished just 130,000 votes ahead of Clay Aiken in the Finale.