Jamal Roberts, the newly crowned American Idol Season 23 winner, is set to return to his hometown of Meridian, Mississippi, for a free live concert on the City Hall lawn. The celebration, organized by the Jamal Roberts Committee in partnership with the City of Meridian, will take place on May 30 at 7 p.m., giving fans a chance to see Roberts perform in person after his historic victory. While general admission is free, VIP seating is available for $50, with additional opportunities for sponsorship and vendor participation.
Roberts has been on a whirlwind journey since his show-stopping finale performance of “Heal,” a song originally released by British artist Tom Odell in 2013. Roberts first heard the song just a day before his April 28 performance on Idol, and he collaborated with former Idol winner and guest mentor Fantasia to craft a version so powerful it left the audience and judges speechless. The emotional delivery helped him clinch the title on May 18 and cemented “Heal” as his first official single, released through 19 Recordings.
The single rocketed to the top of the iTunes chart upon release and held strong days later, even outperforming tracks by music heavyweights like Kelly Clarkson. Tom Odell, the song’s original writer, was deeply moved by Roberts’ version, saying in a radio interview that it brought him to tears. “It made me cry,” he said. “That is why I do this. That’s what music is.” Odell praised Roberts not only for the heartfelt performance but also for the way he made the song his own, adding that music thrives on shared moments like these across cultures and generations.
Roberts’ decision to sing “Heal” came from a moment on Season 21 when Leah Marlene, who placed third that year, delivered her own memorable interpretation of the song. Drawing inspiration from Marlene’s performance, Roberts infused it with his signature soul and added new lyrics to make it even more personal. He explained that his process is always about connecting to the lyrics: reading, writing, and putting himself inside the song.
Since his Idol win, Roberts has continued to ride the momentum, performing “Heal” on national platforms such as “Good Morning America” and “Live With Kelly and Mark.” His hometown celebration in Meridian promises to be more than just a concert — it’s a full-circle moment for a local teacher and father of three whose talent, heart, and humility have now touched millions.
