merican Idol Season 23 wrapped with a bang on Sunday night—three hours of powerhouse performances, celebrity appearances, and one historic win. But while Jamal Roberts, the soulful schoolteacher from Mississippi, claimed the crown in front of a roaring audience and a record 26 million votes, it was judge Carrie Underwood’s response that ended up stealing the spotlight—for all the wrong reasons.
The night began with the final three contestants—Breanna Nix, John Foster, and Jamal Roberts—gearing up for the performance of a lifetime. Slater Nalley and Thunderstorm Artis had just been cut the week before, leaving the stage set for one last emotional showdown.
This season’s finale wasn’t just about crowning a winner. It also marked 20 years since Carrie Underwood herself won American Idol Season 4, a full-circle moment that saw her sitting in the judge’s chair for the first time. But Carrie’s milestone moment took a back seat to the fan fury that erupted after Jamal’s final performance.
After a string of high-energy performances from music legends like Patti LaBelle, Jessica Simpson, Salt-N-Pepa, Josh Groban, Jelly Roll, and the Goo Goo Dolls, it was finally time to announce the winner. As host Ryan Seacrest revealed Jamal Roberts as the Season 23 champion, the crowd exploded—and so did Twitter.
Roberts, 27, a humble elementary school teacher from Meridian, Mississippi, was visibly emotional as he accepted the title. The judges rose in unison to applaud the moment—except for one. Carrie Underwood, noticeably, remained seated during Jamal’s victory performance of Anthony Hamilton’s “Her Heart.” Social media users didn’t miss a beat.
“Not Carrie Underwood sitting down and probably being told to stand up when Jamal won,” tweeted one fan, rolling-eye emoji and all.
Others were even less diplomatic.
“Carrie hating until the very end, I see. CONGRATULATIONS JAMAL!!!” wrote another.
“Mississippi stays producing greatness. We don’t talk—we win. Built different, baby,” said one user, pointing out that Underwood had previously criticized Jamal for not “moving around” enough on stage—feedback she didn’t give to others with similarly static performances.
Even more fans jumped in to call her out:
- “Forget Carrie. Jamal won. That’s all I care about now.”
- “Carrie better stand back up, she lame for sitting down during this final performance!”
- “I want Carrie Underwood outta here!” one person added, complete with a GIF of an umpire ejecting a baseball manager from the game.
Some even dragged Jessica Simpson into the mess, mocking her and Underwood’s appearance. “Ladies… I’m begging you. Leave your lips alone!!” one commenter pleaded.
Despite the backlash, Carrie had her own reflective moment during the show, tearing up as she looked back on her Idol journey two decades ago. “If I hadn’t made that one decision to audition, my life would be completely different,” she said emotionally.
Still, her attempt at sentimentality didn’t do much to sway critics. One particularly biting comment came from a fan who noted, “Last week Carrie told Jamal to own the stage. Tonight, she stood in one spot during her whole performance. Make it make sense.”
Underwood did perform twice during the night—once alongside Slater Nalley and Cody Johnson for “I’m Gonna Love You,” and again with Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan in a rendition of Richie’s classic, “Stuck On You.” But none of it could compete with the drama surrounding her icy demeanor during Jamal’s crowning moment.
While ABC has yet to officially confirm the judging panel for Season 24, speculation is already swirling about whether Carrie will return—and whether fans even want her back.
But amid the controversy, one thing is clear: Jamal Roberts’ win wasn’t just well-earned, it was iconic. A teacher, a father, a dreamer—and now, American Idol champion.
