The Season 23 finale of American Idol, which aired on May 18, 2025, was a night of high stakes, emotional performances, and historic moments. When host Ryan Seacrest announced Jamal Roberts as the winner, the 27-year-old physical education teacher from Meridian, Mississippi, made history as the first Black man to claim the title in 22 years, following Ruben Studdard’s victory in 2003. Roberts’ soulful rendition of Anthony Hamilton’s “Her Heart” capped a journey that saw him win over millions with his R&B flair and heartfelt authenticity. However, not all fans were celebrating. A vocal contingent of American Idol viewers, particularly those rooting for runner-up John Foster and third-place finisher Breanna Nix, expressed profound disappointment, with some even declaring they will “not watch next season” because their dream winner did not take the crown. This backlash raises questions about the show’s voting process, fan expectations, and the challenges of maintaining audience loyalty in a competitive entertainment landscape.

A Historic Win Amid Controversy

Jamal Roberts’ victory was a landmark moment for American Idol. With over 26 million votes cast—the highest in the show’s history on ABC—Roberts emerged as the champion after a season of standout performances, including Disney classics like “Beauty and the Beast,” Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come,” and Jelly Roll’s “Liar,” which guest mentor Jelly Roll declared “Jamal’s song” after Roberts’ rendition surpassed the original. Judge Luke Bryan had predicted Roberts’ win, telling People magazine ahead of the finale, “My gut has told me Jamal has [been] a lead all year.” Roberts, a father of three daughters—Harmoni, Lyrik, and newborn Gianna Grace—captivated audiences with his story of perseverance, having auditioned for American Idol twice before finally making it onto Season 23. His background as a P.E. teacher at Crestwood Elementary in Meridian, combined with his soulful voice, made him a fan favorite for many.

Yet, for every fan who celebrated Roberts’ win, there were others who felt the outcome was a betrayal of their hopes. The final three—Roberts, John Foster, and Breanna Nix—represented a diverse range of musical styles. Foster, an 18-year-old country singer from Addis, Louisiana, leaned into his roots with performances like Conway Twitty’s “Goodbye Time” and an original song during the finale that resonated deeply with his hometown fans. Nix, a pop-country and contemporary Christian artist, brought a spiritual depth to her performances, earning praise for songs like “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love).” Both contestants had cultivated passionate fanbases, particularly among country music fans, a demographic that has historically dominated American Idol voting, with four of the past ten winners hailing from the genre.

Fan Backlash: “The Show Is Rigged”

The announcement of Roberts’ win sparked immediate reactions on social media, with some fans of Foster and Nix expressing their frustration. Posts on platforms like X revealed a sentiment of disillusionment, with one user claiming, “This was rigged. American Idol waited for the numbers to go in Jamal’s favor and then stopped voting. That country boy was supposed to win.” The user also criticized the show for asking Foster to say something nice about Roberts after the announcement, calling it “shady.” Others echoed this sentiment, with comments like, “John Foster was robbed—he had the heart of America,” and “Breanna Nix deserved better; her voice was pure magic.”

The disappointment wasn’t just about musical preference; for some, it reflected deeper frustrations with American Idol’s voting system. The show relies on live, coast-to-coast fan votes, a process that has long been a double-edged sword. While it empowers viewers to choose their champion, it also opens the door to accusations of bias or manipulation. In Roberts’ case, his win came after a record-breaking 26 million votes, a figure that some fans found suspicious. “How do we know the votes weren’t tampered with?” one fan questioned on X. “I voted for John every week, and I know tons of others did too. This doesn’t add up.”

For fans of Foster, the loss was particularly stinging. The Louisiana teen had become a symbol of small-town dreams, much like Roberts, but his country roots resonated with a fanbase that felt underrepresented in the finale’s outcome. Foster’s performances, including a heartfelt rendition of Queen’s “We Are the Champions” alongside Roberts and Nix, showcased his versatility, but his original song in the finale was seen by many as a defining moment. “John’s song felt like a thank-you to his hometown,” a fan wrote. “He should’ve won for that alone.” Similarly, Nix’s supporters felt her elimination halfway through the finale was unfair, with one fan lamenting, “Breanna’s spiritual performances touched so many lives. She was the real winner in my eyes.”

Threats to Boycott: A Growing Trend?

Perhaps the most alarming reaction for American Idol producers was the number of fans threatening to abandon the show altogether. “I’m done with American Idol,” one fan declared on social media. “If they can’t get it right and give the win to someone like John or Breanna, I’m not watching next season.” Another added, “This show has lost its way. I’ve been a fan since Kelly Clarkson, but I’m out after this.” These sentiments, while not universal, highlight a growing challenge for American Idol as it navigates its 24th season in 2026.

This isn’t the first time American Idol has faced fan backlash over its winners. The show, which premiered in 2002, has a history of controversial outcomes, from the upset of fan-favorite Adam Lambert in Season 8 to the unexpected elimination of contestants like Jennifer Hudson early in their seasons. However, the current era of social media amplifies these reactions, giving disappointed fans a platform to voice their grievances and rally others to their cause. The threat of a boycott, even if only from a vocal minority, poses a risk to a show that has already seen fluctuating ratings since moving to ABC in 2018.

The Bigger Picture: Representation and Expectations

The backlash against Roberts’ win also touches on broader issues of representation and genre bias in American Idol. Roberts’ victory as the second Black man to win in the show’s history was a milestone, following a 22-year gap since Ruben Studdard’s win in 2003. His R&B/soul style brought diversity to a competition that has often favored country and pop artists. However, this very diversity may have fueled some of the discontent among fans who felt their preferred genres—country for Foster, and pop-country/Christian for Nix—were overlooked. As noted in The Washington Post, country music fans make up an “enormous voting bloc” on American Idol, and the show’s history of crowning country artists like Carrie Underwood and Scotty McCreery has set an expectation that the genre should dominate.

Roberts’ win, while celebrated by many, disrupted this expectation, leading to accusations of unfairness. Yet, it’s worth noting that Roberts’ performances were widely praised by judges and guest mentors alike. Fantasia Barrino, a former Idol winner and guest mentor, was moved to tears by Roberts’ rendition of Tom Odell’s “Heal,” and Jelly Roll’s endorsement of Roberts’ take on “Liar” underscored his ability to reinterpret songs with emotional depth. For every fan who felt Foster or Nix was “robbed,” there were others who believed Roberts was the rightful winner, with one fan commenting on TVLine, “America voted correctly. Jamal is so humble, he deserves it—he sung all kinds of songs better than the original artists.”

What’s Next for American Idol?

The fan backlash poses a challenge for American Idol as it prepares for Season 24. The show has a loyal audience, but maintaining that loyalty requires addressing the concerns of disappointed viewers. One potential solution could be greater transparency in the voting process, such as releasing detailed vote tallies or offering more insight into how votes are counted. Additionally, the show might consider diversifying its judging panel or mentorship roster to better represent the range of genres its contestants embody, ensuring fans of all musical styles feel seen and heard.

For Jamal Roberts, the controversy surrounding his win is unlikely to dim his bright future. With a record deal, a cash prize, and a new single, “Heal,” already available on streaming platforms, Roberts is poised to make a significant impact in the music industry. His focus, as he told USA Today, is on returning home to his daughters and continuing to “keep singing and keep moving souls.” Meanwhile, John Foster and Breanna Nix, despite not winning, have gained devoted fanbases and the respect of millions, setting the stage for promising careers.

The American Idol fanbase is as passionate as ever, but the threat of a boycott underscores the delicate balance the show must strike between honoring its diverse talent pool and meeting audience expectations. As Season 24 approaches, producers will need to navigate these tensions carefully—or risk losing the viewers who have kept the show alive for over two decades.