As American Idol gears up for its season 23 finale on May 18, the stakes couldn’t be higher — or the competition tighter. With Breanna Nix, John Foster, and Jamal Roberts battling for the coveted crown, fans are bracing for a showdown that promises powerhouse vocals, tear-jerking moments, and possibly a few surprises. But if there’s one finalist whose story has truly captivated America’s heart this season, it’s Jamal Roberts.
Jamal first stopped viewers — and judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood — in their tracks with a soul-soaked rendition of Rick James’ Mary Jane. It wasn’t just a cover; it was a statement. A statement that this Mississippi native came to stay. Three emphatic yeses later, Jamal officially stepped onto the national stage — but what most didn’t know was that his Idol journey began long before that audition aired.
Hailing from Meridian, Mississippi, the 27-year-old physical education teacher isn’t new to the grind. He’s been chasing the music dream since he was a toddler, quite literally. “I started singing at the age of two,” Jamal told Billboard in April 2025. “My grandparents discovered I could carry a tune, and I was singing in church, doing Temptations and Michael Jackson covers before I hit kindergarten.”
His upbringing reads like a gospel-soul mixtape — the kind of childhood steeped in harmonies, hymns, and Sunday morning drumlines. With one grandfather a bishop and the other a deacon, Jamal practically lived in the church. “I was the usher, the drummer, the choir member — you name it,” he recalled. “If the doors were open, I was there.”
Given his roots, it’s no surprise that American Idol was always on his radar. But the road to this moment wasn’t paved in gold records and glitter. Jamal actually auditioned for the show twice before making it to the televised rounds this season. His first attempt? Too young, not vocally ready. His second? Talented, but lacking a deep enough repertoire to move forward. Many would’ve called it quits. Jamal? He called it motivation.
“I never gave up,” he said. “I’ve always been able to take constructive criticism and use it. The ‘no’ didn’t break me. It built me.”
While he was working on perfecting his craft, life kept moving. Jamal became a father to three daughters — his youngest born just before he reached the Top 7 — and even self-released a single back in 2020, proving that his commitment to music wasn’t just a dream, it was a mission.
And now, with the finale just days away, Jamal is riding high — not just on the votes, but on gratitude. After nabbing a spot in the Top 3, he took to Instagram to shout out everyone who helped him get there. “Thank you, God!! Thank you, America!! Thank you, MeridianⓂ️! Thank you, American Idol! 😭😭😭🙏🏾🙏🏾,” he wrote on May 12.
Win or lose this weekend, Jamal Roberts has already struck a chord with millions — and his voice, his story, and his unwavering spirit suggest this is just the opening verse of a long, soulful career.
One thing is certain: the boy from Meridian didn’t just sing his way onto American Idol. He sang his way into America’s heart.
