Just over a week after being crowned American Idol Season 23 champion, Jamal Roberts is already rewriting the record books. His debut single, “Heal,” has soared to the top of multiple Billboard charts, solidifying his status as one of the most compelling new voices in gospel and beyond.
For the week ending May 22, 2025, “Heal” debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart, while also landing at No. 2 on the all-genre Digital Song Sales chart. The song clinched the top spot on the Gospel Digital Song Sales chart and entered the Gospel Streaming Songs chart at No. 7 — an impressive feat for a debut artist, especially one only days removed from his Idol victory.
Originally a bonus track by British singer-songwriter Tom Odell released in 2013, “Heal” has found new life through Roberts’ raw and soul-stirring interpretation. Odell himself reacted with deep emotion, saying, “It made me cry… and for me… that is why I do this!”
As a personal tribute to the song that has catapulted him into stardom, Roberts shared during a Facebook Live on May 27 that he had the word “HEAL” tattooed vertically down his chest, connecting it with his existing tattoo of the word “HOPE.” The symbolic gesture reflects the themes of restoration and resilience that run through both his music and his journey.
Roberts’ immediate success highlights not only his vocal talent but also his emotional depth and artistic authenticity. His ability to reinterpret a decade-old ballad and turn it into a modern gospel anthem is a clear signal of a promising and impactful career ahead.
