American Idol crowned Jamal Roberts its Season 23 champion over runner-up John Foster during the three-hour finale broadcast that aired Sunday night on ABC.

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Jamal, a 27-year-old PE teacher from Meridian, MS, won American Idol after the show had its "biggest finale in ABC Idol history" with over 26 million votes cast, which was more than double last year's finale, according to host Ryan Seacrest.

John, an 18-year-old college student from Addis, LA, finished the Season 23 competition in second place based on the home viewer votes that poured in throughout the live episode.

And Breanna Nix, a 25-year-old stay-at-home mom from Denton, TX, placed third.

American Idol's epic three-hour event featured the Top 3 finalists each performing twice.

For the first round of competition, Jamal, John and Breanna gave in-house mentor Jelly Roll a list of their favorite songs, and Jelly Roll got to choose which one they should sing.

John performed Toby Keith's "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue."

Lionel called it a "perfect song" for John and gushed about how he had "nailed it," and Carrie said John was "pulling out all the stops" with that finale performance.

Jamal took the stage with "First Time" by Teeks.

Carrie told Jamal that he is "just so talented" and he looked "comfortable and at ease" onstage. Luke went on to joke, "Will you teach me how to be that smooth?"

Luke added, "Everything about you is a star -- everything!"

Breanna sang "Jesus Name (God of Possible)" by Katy Nichole.

"Breanna, you've just been amazingly solid all year. You deliver week in and week out... You have such a special heart and thing about you," Luke said.

Lionel advised Breanna to stay on her path, and Carrie praised the singer for a "warm and believable" performance.

The second round of competition featured the Top 3 performing songs of their own choosing, and they served as a bit of a hometown tribute.

John performed John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads."

Carrie thought it was a great song choice because everyone could sing along, and Lionel urged viewers to vote.

Jamal sang "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)" by The Temptations.

"You can sing things that are contemporary, and it fits. You can sing things that are throwback, and it fits. You just have this incredible ability to make things your own and it sounds fresh and new and fun," Carrie gushed.

Luke called Jamal "one of the most amazing people" he's ever seen on American Idol, and Lionel told Jamal that he's "divinely guided."

Lionel concluded, "You are someone that's going to rock the world."

And Breanna belted out "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus.

"I felt like I just watched a six-minute movie. You just took me on an unbelievable ride. Congratulations. What a feeling you just gave me!" Luke said.

Lionel said Breanna had a perfect song, a perfect voice and a perfect presentation.

Once Breanna was eliminated from the competition in third place, John and Jamal were given the opportunity to perform their new singles.

John performed his emotional original song "Tell That Angel That I Love Her," and Jamal performed his own rendition of "Heal," a 2013 song by Tom Odell.

Jamal had previously performed "Heal" on American Idol, and it wowed America.

The American Idol finale also featured performances by Brandon Lake, Goo Goo Dolls, Good Charlotte, Jennifer Holliday, Jessica Simpson, Josh Groban, Kirk Franklin, Myles Smith, Patti LaBelle and Salt N Pepa.

Many of the Top 12 artists got to perform with these famous singers.

In addition, American Idol judges Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood and Lionel Richie took the stage together and with the three finalists.

This marked the eighth season American Idol has aired on ABC.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

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