Breanna Nix’s Early Confidence in Jamal Roberts’ Win Becomes a Viral Moment After Season 23 Finale

Long before Jamal Roberts was crowned the Season 23 winner of American Idol, one person was already confident he would take the title: fellow finalist Breanna Nix. The 27-year-old soul singer may have impressed the judges and millions of viewers throughout the season, but Nix saw his potential from the very start—and she has the video to prove it

During the American Idol finale on May 18, 2025, emotions were running high. As Jamal Roberts performed his victory song, Breanna Nix—who finished in third place—was seen clutching his arm and wiping away tears, a powerful moment that captured their bond and her early belief in his success.

In an interview with TV Insider, Jamal Roberts revealed that Breanna Nix first told him he would win back during Hollywood Week, months before the live shows aired. Though the Hollywood rounds aired in March, they were actually filmed in January at the historic Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles.

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“She told me, ‘You’re anointed,’” Roberts recalled. “She said, ‘You’re going to win this.’ I’m looking at her, like, ‘Girl, hush! What are you talking about?’ But she stood on that, every performance.”

Breanna didn’t just say it—she documented it. She filmed a video of herself predicting his win and posted it publicly on May 20, just days after Roberts’ victory.

In a post-finale interview with Entertainment Tonight, Nix shared how the moment unfolded. “Oh my word, I am so excited for Jamal,” she said. “I called that he would win ‘American Idol’ back in Hollywood … I didn’t even know him, I just felt it in my heart. And I walked up to him and I said, ‘Hey! I know you don’t know me, I’m Breanna … and you’re gonna win ‘American Idol.’”

“I had my phone out, I was recording,” she added. “And he was like, ‘You’re crazy!’”

Even in the final moments of the show, as the top 3—Roberts, Nix, and country singer John Foster—stood awaiting results, Breanna continued to believe in her prediction.

“She was like, ‘Well, I know I’m leaving. It’s going to be between you and John, and you’re going to win,’” Roberts said with a laugh.

While she didn’t walk away with the Idol crown, Breanna Nix’s music career is already taking off. Her debut single, “Higher,” released through 19 Recordings, rocketed to No. 1 on the iTunes Country Chart within 24 hours of the finale.

On May 19, Nix proudly shared a screenshot showing her chart-topping success, just above runner-up John Foster’s “Tell That Angel I Love Her” at No. 2.

Later that day, American Idol’s official Instagram account revealed even more good news: the top 3 finalists dominated iTunes’ overall music chart, with Jamal Roberts’ “Heal” at No. 1, Nix’s Higher at No. 2, and Foster’s single rounding out the top 3.