Louisiana's John Foster takes second place on *American Idol*, while Mississippi's Jamal Roberts claims the win.

 Louisiana teen John Foster took home second place in the grand finale of ABC’s American Idol on Sunday night, following a remarkable run that landed him among the final three. The coveted title went to Jamal Roberts, a 27-year-old elementary school P.E. teacher from Meridian, Mississippi. Rounding out the top three was Breanna Nix, 25, a stay-at-home mom from Denton, Texas.

Roberts impressed judges and audiences alike with finale performances of “First Time” and “Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me),” earning him the championship.

Foster, a freshman biology major at LSU, delivered a standout performance of Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)” to kick off the finale. Judge Lionel Richie responded enthusiastically: “Now, John. That’s how you run for office. That’s how you run for Idol.”

“You pulled out all the stops,” added Carrie Underwood. “I felt like I was at a John Foster concert.”

Luke Bryan praised Foster’s growth throughout the competition: “Your voice has gotten better, and everything has grown. It’s been a privilege to watch.”

Later, Foster returned to the stage with a heartfelt rendition of John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” Richie joked about his maturity, asking to “see that birth certificate again,” while Bryan and Underwood applauded the emotional homecoming footage, including Foster riding a giant crawfish float during a hometown parade in Addis.

Foster and Bryan also performed a duet of Randy Travis’ “Deeper Than the Holler,” highlighting Foster’s country roots.

The finale opened with a group performance of Queen’s “We Are the Champions.”

Foster initially captured the judges’ attention during auditions in Nashville by gifting them a Louisiana care package and performing Alan Jackson’s “Don’t Rock the Jukebox.” But it was his impromptu second choice, Conway Twitty’s “Goodbye Time,” that sealed their early approval.

Throughout the season, Foster showcased his range with songs like Elvis’ “Jailhouse Rock,” Garth Brooks’ “Callin’ Baton Rouge,” and the heartfelt original “Tell That Angel I Love Her,” written in memory of Maggie Dunn, a high school friend tragically killed in a car accident.

After performing the song during his homecoming concert in Plaquemine, Richie praised his storytelling: “It was so believable—I heard every word of your story. That’s what great music is about.”

The emotional hometown visit was featured during the finale, capturing Foster’s tearful performance and the deep connection he built with fans across the country.

Missed the finale? The episode is now streaming on Hulu.