For Jamal Roberts, the reality of winning American Idol Season 23 is still settling in — but the numbers don’t lie: America showed up in record-breaking fashion.
In an interview with The Big Tigger Morning Show on V-103 Atlanta, the 27-year-old Mississippi gym teacher turned gospel star opened up about the emotional final moments on stage. “Oh man, it took Ryan forever to read my name off,” he said, describing the suspense of the live finale. “When they said 26 million [votes], I just felt like a peace come over me… That had to be my people showing up for me in a big way.”
And they did — historically so. Roberts received the most votes ever cast for an ‘Idol’ winner, and he’s now celebrating another milestone: hitting No. 1 on the Billboard charts.
His stirring rendition of Tom Odell’s “Heal” — which he performed during the finale — has soared to:
- No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs
- No. 1 on Gospel Digital Song Sales
- No. 2 on the overall Digital Song Sales chart
- No. 7 on Gospel Streaming Songs
The track also helped him become the first Black male winner of ‘American Idol’ since Ruben Studdard in 2003 — breaking a 22-year gap and adding historic weight to his victory.
But Roberts’ success wasn’t instant. He shared that he had previously auditioned for Idol and was turned away. “I was told I needed more work,” he admitted. “So I went and worked. I focused on stage presence, vocals… I used to sing with my eyes closed the whole time. I’d open them and be facing the wrong direction.”
That growth was evident every week as he connected with audiences through raw vocals, emotional performances, and his authenticity as a father and gospel-rooted artist. Roberts’ backstory — from singing in church to raising three daughters — resonated deeply with fans.
Now, “Heal” isn’t just a song — it’s a declaration. “I’ve healed from a lot of stuff,” Roberts told Big Tigger. “So I’m thanking God for that. For healing.”
From Meridian, Mississippi, to national stardom, Jamal Roberts is no longer just singing for his daughters — he’s singing for millions.
