Top 12 American Idol Predictions (2025)

Who will win American Idol season 23? Only 14 contestants remain in the famous singing competition, and two more singers will be eliminated soon. 

In this free guide, I will break down my picks for this season of American Idol. I will analyze the latest performances and give my American Idol predictions for which artists will advance to the top 12. 

Who is Favored to Win American Idol 2025?

Slater Nalley’s rendition of “Soulshine” by The Allman Brothers Band secured him a spot in the top 14. On the cut-down show, Slater performed Jason Isbell’s “This Ain’t It” and stole the show. 

His distinct, gravelly voice helps to set Nalley apart from the competition at entertainment betting sites this season. His southern rock roots are noticeable in every performance. However, as he demonstrated on Disney Night, Nalley is not afraid to step outside his comfort zone when the competition demands it. 

Slater is one of the most popular contestants this season, and fans have consistently voted for him to advance this season. As long as Nalley continues to be the fan favorite, he will be challenging for any other singer to beat. 

Top American Idol Season 23 Contenders

Slater Nalley is the frontrunner at American Idol betting sites, but there are 13 other artists still in the running to win American Idol season 23. After Nalley, the other top contenders include Canaan James Hill, Mattie Pruitt, and John Foster. 

James Hill is a soulful singer with a powerful voice that earned him a platinum ticket during the auditions. However, the youngster is only 17 years old, and his inexperience could prove costly as the competition intensifies. 

Pruitt has the best chances of any woman to win season 23 of American Idol, and her unique voice has helped her stand out. Conversely, only one of the last four winners has been a woman, and, like James Hill, Pruitt is inexperienced compared to other contestants. 

Foster, 18, is also young, but he is older than both James Hill (17) and Pruitt (16). The polished country singer has the skills to make a deep run this year. However, since they are both country artists, Foster will be directly compared to Nalley, the favorite to win this season. 

2025 American Idol Sleepers

Correctly picking a sleeper who will win American Idol is easier said than done. With that being said, I think both Filo and Kolbi Jordan have what it takes to go on a surprising run this season. Like Canaan, Filo and Jordan earned one of the three coveted platinum passes this season. 

Despite their impressive early performances, Filo and Jordan have struggled to break away from the pack this season. 

I believe that will change as the field continues to shrink and fans have more opportunities to appreciate their talents. Building fan support is extremely important in singing competitions like American Idol and The Voice. 

Last year’s winner, Abbi Carter, took a similar path to the top. After winning a platinum pass in her audition, Carter took a backseat to fan-favorite Will Moseley. 

In the end, though, it was Carter who won it all. If that pattern repeats this season, then Filo and Kolbi both offer exciting value as sleepers this year. 

American Idol Top 12 Predictions

Only four artists who advanced to the top 14 needed to be saved by the Judges. They were: Amanda Barise, Ché Chesterman, Josh King, and Desmond Roberts. 

All four battled to save their spot in the competition, outperforming the likes of Victor Solomon, Baylee Littrell, and others who were cut after making the top 20. Unfortunately for the four saved singers, I believe they will likely be on the chopping block again. 

Two singers will be eliminated after their top 14 performances, and my entertainment betting strategy is to wager on Ché Chesterman and Desmond Roberts to be eliminated next. 

Roberts is talented, but he lacks the vocal range and support from fans to advance to the next round. Likewise, Chesterman has struggled to build support with fans, which will sink his ship now that the competition is in America’s hands. 

Predicting Who Will Win American Idol 2025

American Idol season 23 is down to 14 artists, but two more will be eliminated soon. I think Ché Chesterman and Desmond Roberts, who were nearly eliminated last round, will be cut next. My pick to win this season is Canaan James Hill, the powerful, soulful gospel singer who is beloved by judges and fans alike.

You can wager on your American Idol predictions at BetOnline. The site’s No String Welcome Bonus is perfect for betting on your season 23 winner pick. 

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