Idol Chatter & Voice Views

John Foster, Breanna Nix and Jamal Roberts take the stage Sunday night on American Idol. (ABC Photo)

John Foster, Breanna Nix and Jamal Roberts take the stage for a final series of performances tonight as American Idol fans vote for a Season 23 champion.

Those three talented artists will be the focus of the show, but not the only highlight.

Because tonight’s three-hour finale will also feature performances by the Idol judges and a guest star lineup that includes Patti LaBelle, Kirk Franklin, Brandon Lake and the Goo Goo Dolls.

I’ll be live blogging and providing song by song grades throughout the show.

See also …
Ranking the Top 3 on American Idol
Videos from the the hometown visits for John, Jamal and Breanna
A look back at John Foster’s Idol performances
A look back at Jamal Roberts’ Idol performances
A look back at Breanna Nix’s Idol performances

ROUND ONE

For the first round, Jelly Roll was given a list of each singer’s favorite songs. Jelly Roll then picked one of the songs for them.

John Foster, 18, Addis, La., “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” by Toby Keith: Okay, that was a rousing and patriotic way to open the evening. And John was in great voice. Especially loved how he sounded when the song went more quiet near the end. He’s extremely well spoken too. Grade: A–

Breanna Nix, 25, Denton, Texas, “In Jesus Name” by Katy Nichole:
Breanna’s son is asleep again. Remember how he fell asleep during Breanna’s audition. Meanwhile, his mom’s voice is soaring on this song. She might have overdone it here and then with the belting, but that tender ending was lovely. Grade: B

Jamal Roberts, 26, Meridian, Miss., “First Time” by Teeks: Jelly Roll said he picked this song because he loved the version Jamal did on TikTok. He clearly has more vocal tricks up his sleeve than John vocally. But I enjoyed John’s performance just a bit more. Luke loved how smooth and cool John is. Lionel loves his look. Grade: B+

ROUND TWO

John Foster, 18, Addis, La., “Take My Home (Country Road) by John Denver: Another solid performance by John after a remarkably touching clip from his hometown visit. My only complaint is with Idol. Why in the world not let John reprise “Tell That Angel I Love Her?” Idol finalists have repeated songs in the past. Grade: B+

Jamal Roberts, 26, Meridian, Miss., “Just My Imagination,” The Temptation — Not loving these second round song choices. Let’s see some emotion, something Jamal is great at. He turns in another fine vocal, and gets to do his Jamal thing near the end. But I don’t think either John or Jamal made a game-changer out of those performances. Grade: B+

Breanna Nix, 25, Denton, Texas, The Climb by Miley Cyrus: Okay, now I really don’t like the second round song choices. While I think this song should be retired from singing competitions, Breanna delivered a wonderful version of that song. Wow, that glory note near the end, and a voice that got bigger and bigger and bigger. That was the best vocal we heard in round two, easily. Grade: A

AND THE RESULTS: One singer heads home …

That would be Breanna Nix. Jamal Roberts and John Foster are the final two on American idol.

ROUND THREE

John Foster, 18, Addis, La., “Tell That Angel I Love Her” (an orignal) — Now we know why he didn’t sing the song in round two. It’s his new Idol single. It’s also the best original any member of the Top 3 has released. And that performance might have won American Idol for John Foster. Grade: A–

Jamal Roberts, 26, Meridian, Miss., “Heal” — And Jamal’s new single is a song he performed earlier this year on the show. He’s doing a wonderfully emotional performance of the song again tonight. He’s clearly the better singer of the two. But this isn’t The Voice. That ending was spectacular. Grade: A

And the winner of American Idol is … Jamal Roberts.

Gotta say, given the history of country singers winning the show, I’m a bit surprised.