Season 23 of American Idol wrapped on May 18 with one of the most thrilling finales in recent memory. While Mississippi’s Jamal Roberts ultimately claimed the crown, the real story is how deep this season’s talent ran. In an unusual but exciting twist, all three finalists—Roberts, John Foster, and Breanna Nix—have landed major placements on Billboard’s charts, showing just how impactful the show’s latest season has been.
Breanna Nix Turns Third Place Into Chart Gold
Finishing third didn’t slow Breanna Nix down one bit. The soulful Texas mom is already proving she’s a force to be reckoned with in the Christian music space. Her debut single, “Higher,” is soaring across Billboard’s rankings.
- Debuted at No. 1 on the Christian Digital Song Sales chart
- No. 4 on the all-genre Digital Song Sales chart, selling just under 4,700 digital copies
- No. 40 on Hot Christian Songs, a ranking that blends sales, streaming, and airplay
“This is just the beginning,” Nix told EntertainmentNow. “I sang my heart out on that stage, and now it feels like people are really listening.”
Nix dethroned Brandon Lake’s hit “Hard Fought Hallelujah” from the top of the Christian sales chart—an impressive feat, considering Lake’s track has been a crossover phenomenon, even charting on the Hot 100.
John Foster Riding High Post-Finale
Runner-up John Foster also wasted no time making a splash. His debut single, “Tell That Angel I Love Her,” entered the Digital Song Sales chart at No. 6, signaling strong demand from a growing fanbase eager to hear more of his heartfelt country ballads.
While Foster hasn’t yet cracked a Billboard genre-specific chart, industry insiders are already buzzing about his crossover potential—particularly in the adult contemporary and country-pop markets.
Chart Success Beyond the Crown
Unlike past Idol seasons where only the winner gained momentum, this year’s top finalists are each carving out unique lanes:
- Jamal Roberts’ “Heal” debuted at No. 1 on the Hot Gospel Songs chart and No. 2 overall in digital sales
- Breanna Nix’s “Higher” claimed the top spot on Christian Digital Song Sales
- John Foster’s “Tell That Angel I Love Her” entered the top 10 of all-genre downloads
It’s a testament to the vocal firepower and authentic artistry Season 23 delivered—and a hopeful sign that American Idol is once again launching stars, not just winners.
“I didn’t walk away with the trophy,” Nix said in a recent social media post, “but I’m walking away with a dream coming true.”
