Jamal Roberts isn’t just the newly crowned winner of American Idol—he’s now a Billboard chart-topper, too.
The 27-year-old gym teacher from Meridian, Mississippi, made a powerful debut on the Billboard Hot Gospel Songs chart dated May 31, as his emotionally charged single “Heal” entered at No. 1, solidifying his place as one of gospel music’s newest breakout stars.
“Heal,” originally penned by British singer-songwriter Tom Odell in 2013, was reintroduced to the world in the May 18 finale of American Idol, where Roberts delivered a soul-bearing rendition that left audiences in tears and judges on their feet.
According to Luminate, the track sold 9,000 downloads in the U.S. the week ending May 22 and racked up nearly 1 million official streams, catapulting it to No. 2 on the all-genre Digital Song Sales chart—an incredible feat for a debut single in the gospel category.
Chart Domination by Idol Finalists
Roberts isn’t alone in the spotlight. His fellow American Idol Season 23 finalists also made strong digital debuts:
- Breanna Nix, who finished third, entered the chart at No. 4 with her original song “Higher.”
- John Foster, this season’s runner-up, followed close behind at No. 6 with “Tell That Angel I Love Her.”
Together, the trio showcases the extraordinary talent pool of this record-breaking season of American Idol, which saw Roberts secure over 26 million votes in the finale.
From Church Pews to Chart-Topping Star
Jamal Roberts is no stranger to gospel acclaim. Before Idol, he was already known in the faith-based music world as a finalist on BET’s Sunday Best (Season 10), impressing audiences with virtual performances filmed during the height of the pandemic.
This August, Roberts will officially release his next single, “He’s Preparing Me” (out August 21), a track that has already quietly made waves—climbing to No. 4 earlier this year on the Gospel Digital Song Sales chart during its soft launch.
“The message of He’s Preparing Me is about trusting God’s process even when you can’t see the outcome,” Roberts shared. “It’s the song of my life right now.”
Praise from Gospel Greats and Industry Icons
Since his victory, Roberts has received glowing praise from gospel legends and mainstream artists alike. Kirk Franklin, Erica Campbell, Jonathan McReynolds, and Kelly Price have all spoken publicly about his growth, humility, and vocal command.
Even “Heal”’s original artist, Tom Odell, was moved to tears after watching Roberts’ performance, telling press:
“It was like hearing my song for the first time, but through someone else’s pain and healing. I cried.”
Back to His Roots—and Still Teaching
Despite his sudden stardom, Jamal Roberts has already returned to his day job as a gym teacher in Mississippi, grounding himself in community and faith.
“The kids are watching,” he said. “If they can see someone from their own neighborhood rise like this, maybe they’ll believe they can do the same.”
With his faith-forward message, growing fanbase, and now a No. 1 gospel single under his belt, Jamal Roberts is more than an Idol winner—he’s a voice for a generation looking for healing, hope, and heart.
