Just hours after winning Season 23 of American Idol on May 18, 2025, Jamal Roberts was whisked from the bright lights of Hollywood to the bustling streets of New York City. He performed live on Good Morning America, laughed with Kelly & Mark, and soaked in the whirlwind of post-win fame. But while the nation celebrated his triumph, Jamal had one thing on his mind — going home.
“I couldn’t wait to get back to Meridian,” Roberts told reporters. “My girls, my people, my school — that’s what keeps me grounded.”
And come home he did — not just to hugs from family and fans, but to hallways and bus loops at Crestwood Elementary, where he’s known not as a TV star but simply as Coach Jamal.
Coach Jamal Returns to Bus Duty (Yes, Really)
Days after his win, Roberts was spotted back at Crestwood Elementary — not for a photo-op, but for bus duty.
In a now-viral Facebook Live video, the newly crowned Idol winner sits atop a cafeteria table, grinning shyly as staffers surround him with laughter and love.
“He loves his Crestwood family,” one sings joyfully while filming. “He came back home to be his authentic self! And he’s on bus duty, he sure is!”
Roberts, 27, didn’t just come back to wave. He picked up a walkie-talkie and helped usher kids onto their buses — a moment that perfectly captured what fans love most about him: his humility, his heart, and his deep roots in community.
“I wasn’t teaching for the money,” he told USA Today. “It was always the kids. They inspire me. So even now, I still want to show up for them when I can.”
Family First: Life with Three Daughters
While media headlines follow his music career, at home Roberts is all about being a dad. His social media has shown him bonding with his daughters — Harmoni (6), Lyrik (4), and his newborn, Gianna Grace, born earlier this month.
“This time is sacred,” he shared. “Gianna came into the world right as everything changed for me. She’s my reminder to stay grounded and grateful.”
Even as he preps for major performances, Roberts has been spotted around town — including a May 22 stop at Exclusive Cuts, where barber Dermaine Johnson shared a fresh-trim photo of the local hero online.
