On May 18th, 2025, Jamal Roberts’ life changed forever. The 27-year-old father of three and church-rooted soul singer from Meridian, Mississippi, was crowned the winner of American Idol Season 23, capturing the hearts of millions with his unmatched vocal depth, spiritual authenticity, and emotional resonance.
A Voice That Moves and Heals
Jamal’s rise wasn’t built on flashy theatrics or gimmicks—it was his voice, raw with life experience and resilience, that drew audiences in. His performances throughout the season were packed with emotional weight, whether interpreting gospel, soul, or even crossover pop-rock hits. Judges Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Carrie Underwood—who returned as a full-time judge for the first time since winning in Season 4—were visibly moved by his ability to channel pain into performance.
His winning single, a personalized rendition of Tom Odell’s “Heal,” became an instant sensation. Jamal rewrote sections of the song’s lyrics, creating a version so uniquely his own that many fans now associate the track more with him than its original artist. The song rocketed to No. 1 on the iTunes charts shortly after release, proving that Jamal’s appeal extends far beyond Idol.
“I didn’t even know who Tom Odell was,” Jamal admitted with a smile. “But the lyrics… they just spoke to me. That’s all I need. If I can feel it, I can become it.”
Jelly Roll & Jamal: A Powerful Collaboration in the Making
Perhaps one of the most heartwarming arcs of Jamal’s Idol journey was his bond with the show’s artist-in-residence, Jelly Roll. Their chemistry was immediate. After Jamal’s emotional rendition of Jelly Roll’s hit “Liar” during the Hawaii round, the rapper stood up and declared, “It ain’t my song no more.”
That connection culminated in a showstopping duet during the finale, where the pair performed “Unpretty” and “Liar” together. Their voices—Jelly Roll’s gritty emotion and Jamal’s gospel-infused soul—created a blend that had fans begging for more.
The two artists are now officially working on music together. “We’re already in the works,” Jamal revealed. “He FaceTimed me the other day, and I didn’t even recognize the number. I missed it! He texted me like, ‘So you Hollywood now?’” Jamal laughed, adding, “That’s my boy. He’s got my back.”
Fans have already started campaigning online for Jelly Roll to bring Jamal on tour—and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the two share the stage again soon.
Mentorship from Fantasia and Musical Freedom
Another key mentor this season was Fantasia Barrino, one of Idol’s most celebrated winners and a gospel-soul powerhouse in her own right. Her advice to Jamal? Stay authentic.
“She told me, ‘Don’t change for nobody,’” he said. “‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ That hit me. I don’t have to be anybody else. I just have to be me.”
That authenticity is part of what made Jamal so unique on Idol. He admitted he didn’t recognize many of the songs he was assigned, but that didn’t matter. He focused on the lyrics—on the meaning. “If I can insert myself in a song in any way, it becomes mine.”
A Life Rooted in Gospel, Marked by Pain
Long before his Idol victory, Jamal had already competed on BET’s Sunday Best, a gospel music competition where his faith-filled voice made waves. A self-described “church kid,” his performances are infused with spirituality and grit drawn from a childhood that wasn’t always easy.
Jamal recently opened up about his past in a powerful interview with Willie Moore Jr. on The Love You Moore Show, sharing how he and his brother were raised by their father and stepmother after their mother gave up custody. The pain of abandonment has lingered but also shaped his artistry.
“I pulled from abandonment,” Jamal said. “That was that—I was abandoned. I felt like I was abandoned.”
He shared how his stepmother, Tabitha—whom he honored during Idol’s Mother’s Day episode—was the emotional center of his world until her passing during the pandemic. “She always told me, ‘You can do it,’” he recalled.
Despite past wounds, Jamal says he’s made peace with not knowing why his mother made the choices she did. She’s now present in his life and the lives of his daughters, and for Jamal, that’s enough. “My life now is my life… and all those mistakes paved the road that made me who I am today.”
What’s Next?
Jamal has signed with Hollywood Records/19 Recordings and is currently working on his debut album—expected to include collaborations with both Jelly Roll and Fantasia. With chart-topping success already under his belt and a growing fan base that spans genres and generations, Jamal Roberts is poised for a long and meaningful career.
And if his past performances are any indication, this won’t just be music. This will be healing.
