The countdown is on for the American Idol Season 23 Grand Finale, and excitement is at an all-time high. With only hours to go before one of them is crowned the winner, the Top 3 finalists — John Foster, Breanna Nix, and Jamal Roberts — are preparing for the most important performances of their lives.
Throughout the season, these standout artists have captured hearts across the country with their talent, growth, and authentic stories. Now, as the finale approaches, fans are more eager than ever to see who will take home the title and launch into the next chapter of their music careers.
In a recent livestream, each finalist opened up about their emotions heading into the big night. From nervous anticipation to heartfelt gratitude, they shared how deeply this journey has affected them. While the pressure is undeniable, their love for music — and their appreciation for the fans — remains their driving force.
Each contestant reflected on the pivotal moments that defined their Idol journeys. They credited their fans, mentors, and families for helping them push through, and promised a finale filled with unforgettable performances, raw emotion, and personal breakthroughs.
How Voting Works for the Finale
The May 18 finale will feature multiple performances from the Top 3, alongside appearances from the season’s Top 14, celebrity guests, and judges Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie.
Voting opens at the start of the live episode — 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT — and closes during the final commercial break at around 10:50 p.m. ET. The show airs live across all U.S. time zones, meaning West Coast viewers must tune in early to participate in the voting.
Fans can cast up to 30 votes per contestant, using three different platforms:
- ABC’s Website – Visit the official American Idol site and log in to vote.
- American Idol App – Download it via the Apple App Store or Google Play, then sign in to cast your votes.
- Text Voting – Text the contestant’s number to 21523. You can send up to 10 votes per contestant by text.
Here are the voting numbers for each finalist:
- Breanna Nix — Text 9 to 21523
- Jamal Roberts — Text 12 to 21523
- John Foster — Text 13 to 21523
You can vote throughout the show and make changes to your selections up until the cutoff time — just make sure to hit “save” on your final picks.
Typically, the third-place finalist is announced midway through the finale, meaning early voting will play a big role in determining who makes it into the final Top 2.
Is Live Voting Fair?
Some fans have questioned whether live voting during the broadcast offers a fair chance to all viewers — especially those unable to tune in at the exact time. Unlike shows like The Voice, which allow overnight voting, American Idol tallies votes in real time and announces results before the episode ends.
But longtime showrunner Megan Wolflick says the system is both reliable and effective.
“We’ve found that overnight voting doesn’t actually shift results much,” Wolflick told Gold Derby on May 15. “Viewers have adapted. They know they have to vote live — and they do.”
Last week’s episode brought in over 22 million votes, proving that even with a short window, fan engagement remains strong.
