After months of intense competition on American Idol, the season 23 finale on May 18, 2025, boiled down to three talented finalists — Breanna Nix, John Foster, and Jamal Roberts — all vying for the coveted title. Midway through the live, three-hour finale, host Ryan Seacrest revealed which contestant had landed in third place, based on live viewer votes.
Spoiler alert: If you don’t want to know the third-place finisher, stop reading here.
At center stage with all three finalists, Seacrest announced that third place went to Breanna Nix. Though she didn’t advance to the final two, placing third doesn’t mean the end of the road — many past third-place finishers have gone on to enjoy remarkable careers.I
Is Live Voting Fair? American Idol Producer Weighs In
Unlike shows such as The Voice, which often allow viewers overnight or extended periods to vote during finales, American Idol uses a live voting window during the broadcast. This means votes are cast in a limited timeframe and results, including the third-place spot, are revealed in real time.
Some fans have voiced concerns about this short voting window, saying it may be unfair to those who can’t watch live. But American Idol’s executive producer Meghan Wolflick, a veteran with the show since its beginning, told Gold Derby that live voting versus overnight voting rarely changes outcomes.
“It’s pretty consistent,” Wolflick said. “And I do think that people are now used to it, so they’re adjusted to the idea that, ‘Oh my gosh, I have to vote by the end of the show, or else that’s it.’ It’s pretty amazing that 22 million votes came in last week. The fact that we can still generate that amount of fan passion in that two-hour stretch is pretty awesome.”
Third-Place Finishers Often Find Big Success
Though Breanna Nix didn’t make the final two, American Idol history shows that third place can be just the beginning of a successful music career.
Some notable third-place alumni include:
- Gabby Barrett (Season 16) – Country superstar
- JAX (Season 14) – Pop sensation behind the hit “Victoria’s Secret”
- Elliott Yamin (Season 5) – Contemporary Christian artist
- Melinda Doolittle (Season 6) – Acclaimed vocalist
- Danny Gokey (Season 8) – Contemporary Christian singer
More recently, Season 21 third-place finisher Colin Stough signed with 19 Recordings/BMG Nashville, released his debut album in 2023, tours regularly, and just released a new single, “White Trash.” Season 22’s Jack Blocker also moved to Nashville, tours with top country artists, and plans to release a new single soon.
Breanna Nix joins this impressive group, and fans eagerly await her next steps, confident she has a bright future ahead in music.
