When Ryan Seacrest revealed the top 3 contestants of “American Idol” season 23, he announced that the talented finalists — John Foster, Jamal Roberts, and Breanna Nix — would all get to professionally record and release a single ahead of the finale on May 18, 2025.
All three did — but in a surprise move, four more finalists who comprised the top 7 also got to work with the show’s record label, 19 Recordings, to issue their own singles on the eve of the finale. Listen to their singles below and find where you can download them…
Top 3 Finalist Breanna Nix Releases Single ‘Higher’
Top 3 finalist Breanna Nix was giddy with excitement in the hours before the release of her first-ever single. She shared during an Instagram video on May 17 that the song “Higher” felt reflective of her journey on “American Idol.”
“This is my very first song I’ve ever done in my life so I’m, like, super excited about it,” she told her fans.
“Higher” is available on all major streaming platforms including on Apple Music and Spotify.
Top 3 Finalist Jamal Roberts Releases ‘Heal’
Fellow top 3 finalist Jamal Roberts opted to make the 2021 Tom Odell tune “Heal” his first single since joining “American Idol. He originally performed the song — infused with his signature R&B sound — on the April 28 episode, and his powerful delivery blew the judges and crowd away.
Late on May 17, announcing that his song was available to download, Roberts wrote on Instagram, “My version of ‘HEAL’ is out now ❤️🩹 I hope it brings a little peace to anyone who may need it 🙏🏽”
“Heal” is available across music streaming platforms, including on Apple Music and Spotify.
Top 3 Finalist John Foster Releases ‘Tell That Angel I Love Her’
Eighteen-year-old John Foster, who’s also in the top 3, released an “updated version” of his original country ballad, “Tell That Angel I Love Her.”
The college freshman initially performed the song during the “American Idol” Easter Sunday show, dedicating it to his dear friend Maggie Dunn, who was killed in a 2022 car accident along with their friend Caroline Gill, per People. Both girls’ moms were in the audience when he performed it, and he wiped away tears at the end of the song, saying, “I love you, Maggie.”
Foster had previously recorded and released a version of the song with a hometown production company in Louisiana, but his new version is now available on all major streaming platforms, including Apple Music and Spotify.
Top 5 Finalist Thunderstorm Artis Releases ‘I Just Want You To Know’
Top 5 finalist Thunderstorm Artis, 29, recorded and released a new song he wrote for his wife Faith, called “I Just Want You To Know.”
In an Instagram post announcing the single, Artis wrote, “So thankful for the guys that help make this song possible @dakotastriplin @itsmykyl @jackrnellis and for @americanidol for helping me chase my dreams.”
“I Just Want You To Know” is available to download on all major streaming platforms, including Apple Music and Spotify.
Top 5 Finalist Slater Nalley Releases ‘Traces of You’
Slater Nalley, 18, went viral with “Traces of You,” the song he sang at his “American Idol” audition as his English teacher, Michelle Davis, stood nearby and judge Carrie Underwood wiped away tears. Nalley wrote the emotional song based on a poem Davis gave him about her son, who was murdered in 2016 at age 17, per WSB-TV.
When Nalley shared on Instagram that he had chosen to record and release the song with 19 Recordings, Davis commented, “We cannot thank you enough for this priceless gift, honoring Carter. I love that anyone can listen to it and connect with their one no longer with them. Absolutely breathtaking. Thank you for letting us join you on your journey. What a kind and loving heart you have. Like Carter’s last wish: keep adding more love to the world. 🌎 ❤️❤️❤️”
“Traces of You” is available to download on all major streaming platforms including Apple Music and Spotify.
Top 7 Finalist Gabby Samone Releases ‘Four Women’
Baltimore singer Gabby Samone, whom many viewers were shocked to see cut from the competition as the top 5 was being announced, has recorded and released her rendition of Nina Simone’s “Four Women,” which she initially sang during Hollywood Week.
“Protect that voice at all cost Gabby,” one fan wrote on YouTube after hearing the single. “You’re a National treasure.”
Samone’s “Four Women” is available to download on all major streaming platforms, including Apple Music and Spotify.
Top 7 Finalist Mattie Pruitt Releases ‘Strings’
The youngest contestant of season 23, 16-year-old Mattie Pruitt recorded and released a new song called “Strings.” After the late night release, Pruitt posted a snippet on her Instagram Stories and wrote, “Sooo…Like my FIRST EVER SINGLE JUST DROPPED!!!”
“Strings” is available to download on all major streaming platforms including Apple Music and Spotify.
All of the top 7 contestants who released new music will be part of the season finale on May 18, starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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‘American Idol’ Finalists Drop Surprise Singles on Eve of Finale