The American Idol Season 23 finale, which aired on May 18, 2025, was a star-studded affair that crowned Jamal Roberts, a 27-year-old physical education teacher from Meridian, Mississippi, as the winner. With over 26 million votes—the highest since the show moved to ABC in 2018—Roberts triumphed over runner-up John Foster and third-place finalist Breanna Nix. However, the victory was quickly overshadowed by a brewing controversy, with some fans alleging that judge Carrie Underwood sent a bombshell message “exposing” an unfair win tied to Roberts’ connection with mentor Jelly Roll. The claim further suggests that Underwood’s actions helped Foster “turn the tables.” But how much truth is there to these accusations? Let’s dive into the facts, fan reactions, and the broader context of the season.

The Finale: A Tight Race with Stellar Performances

The American Idol Season 23 finale featured three finalists: Jamal Roberts, John Foster, and Breanna Nix. Each performed twice, with songs chosen by the show’s “artist in residence,” Jelly Roll, followed by their original singles. Roberts delivered soulful renditions of Teeks’ “First Time” and The Temptations’ “Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me),” earning praise for his versatility. Foster, an 18-year-old country singer from Louisiana, performed Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of The Red, White and Blue” and John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” showcasing his down-the-middle country appeal. Nix leaned into her contemporary Christian roots with Katy Nichole’s “In Jesus Name (God of Possible)” and Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb.” The night also included duets with guest stars, with Roberts pairing with Jelly Roll for “Liar” and “Unpretty,” Foster singing with judge Luke Bryan, and Nix performing alongside Brandon Lake.

The judges—Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie—offered glowing feedback for all three. Underwood, in her first season as a judge after winning Idol in 2005, praised Roberts for his ability to make any song “fresh and new,” while Bryan called him “smooth” and Richie dubbed him “divinely guided.” Foster received similar accolades, with Underwood noting he was “pulling out all the stops.” Despite the tight race, Roberts emerged victorious, becoming the first Black male winner since Ruben Studdard in 2003. The win was celebrated as a historic moment, but not without controversy.

The Alleged Underwood “Exposé”

Rumors of Underwood “exposing” an unfair win by Roberts surfaced shortly after the finale, primarily through fan-driven discussions on platforms like X. Some posts accused American Idol of rigging the results in Roberts’ favor, pointing to his connection with Jelly Roll as evidence of bias. Others claimed Underwood sent a message—presumably public or leaked—that highlighted “shady ties” between Roberts and Jelly Roll, allegedly influencing the outcome before the judges’ final announcement. The narrative suggests this exposé somehow aided Foster, though he ultimately finished as runner-up.

However, no credible evidence supports the existence of such a message from Underwood. Web reports, including those from The Washington Post, USA Today, and TVLine, confirm Roberts’ win was driven by a record-breaking 26 million viewer votes, with no mention of irregularities or Underwood’s alleged claims. Posts on X, such as one from @pollwatcher9, criticized Underwood for perceived favoritism toward Foster but did not reference a specific exposé. Another post from @AndrewHickey called the results “rigged” and questioned the voting process, but again, no concrete proof of Underwood’s involvement was provided. These posts reflect fan sentiment rather than verified facts, and claims of “shady ties” appear to be speculative.

Underwood’s Critiques and Fan Backlash

The controversy seems to stem from Underwood’s judging style, particularly her feedback to Roberts during the Top 5 episode on May 12, 2025. Roberts performed Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” earning a standing ovation from Bryan and Richie. Underwood, however, remained seated and commented, “I feel like you missed such an opportunity to move around and entertain. We are getting close to the end here, it is time to pull out all the stops.” This critique, while acknowledging Roberts’ “incredible voice,” sparked outrage among fans who found it inconsistent, especially since Underwood praised Foster for a seated, emotional performance. Social media erupted, with users like @LadyKaija accusing Underwood of bias and @ButtaKupJ arguing she was unfairly harsh.

Underwood’s silence during Roberts’ second performance of “Beauty and the Beast” further fueled perceptions of favoritism toward Foster, a country singer whose style aligned with Underwood’s own. During the finale, fans noted that Underwood sat during Roberts’ winner’s song, “Her Heart” by Anthony Hamilton, while Bryan and Richie stood, leading to accusations of “hating” on Roberts. Daily Mail and Jokes Daddy reported fans’ frustration, with some calling for Underwood’s removal as a judge. However, these reactions do not substantiate claims of an exposé or confirm any ties between Roberts and Jelly Roll beyond their professional collaboration.

The Jelly Roll Connection

Jelly Roll, the season’s artist in residence, mentored all contestants and had a notable connection with Roberts. During the Top 24 episode, Roberts’ performance of Jelly Roll’s “Liar” moved the mentor to tears, with Jelly Roll praising Roberts’ ability to convey pain. Their finale duet was a highlight, showcasing a natural chemistry. However, this connection was transparent and part of the show’s format, not evidence of impropriety. Jelly Roll also worked closely with Foster and Nix, selecting songs for their finale performances. Claims of “shady ties” seem to overstate a mentor-contestant relationship that was openly celebrated on the show.

Did Foster “Turn the Tables”?

The idea that Underwood’s alleged exposé helped Foster “turn the tables” is puzzling, as Foster did not win. He finished as runner-up, with his original single “Tell That Angel That I Love Her” earning praise but not enough votes to surpass Roberts. Fan support for Foster was strong, with 52% of TVLine readers predicting his win, but Roberts’ broader appeal across genres likely secured his victory. The absence of any reported action by Underwood that directly aided Foster undermines this part of the claim.

Examining the Bigger Picture

The controversy reflects deeper tensions in American Idol’s fanbase, particularly around issues of fairness and representation. Roberts’ win as a Black male artist was historic, yet some fans perceived Underwood’s critiques as racially tinged, especially given her praise for Foster. This perception, while unproven, highlights the challenges of judging diverse talents on a show with a history of favoring country artists—four of the last ten winners were country singers. Underwood, as a country star herself, faced scrutiny for appearing to favor Foster, but her feedback to Roberts was consistent with her role as a judge pushing contestants to elevate their performances.

The claim of a rigged vote or shady ties lacks substantiation. American Idol’s voting process, which allows up to 30 votes per viewer via app, website, or text, is designed to reflect public sentiment. The record-breaking 26 million votes suggest high engagement, not manipulation. Underwood’s own comments about the finale, as reported by USA Today, focused on the emotional weight of the winner’s reveal, reminiscing about her 2005 experience, with no mention of controversy.

Conclusion

The alleged “exposé” by Carrie Underwood appears to be a fan-driven narrative rooted in dissatisfaction with her judging rather than evidence of wrongdoing. Jamal Roberts’ win was a testament to his versatility and connection with voters, not a result of shady dealings with Jelly Roll. While Underwood’s critiques sparked debate, they were within her purview as a judge. As American Idol prepares for its 24th season, the focus should shift to celebrating Roberts’ historic victory and the talent of all finalists, rather than fueling unverified rumors. For now, the drama remains a footnote in an otherwise triumphant season.