Country star and American Idol judge Luke Bryan had a strong feeling early on that Jamal Roberts was headed for greatness. Just days before the Season 23 finale, Bryan told People that Jamal had been “a lead all year.” Turns out, his instincts were spot on — Jamal took home the crown with a jaw-dropping 26 million votes.
Now, after watching Roberts rise from small-town teacher to national star, Bryan is more convinced than ever that this is just the beginning.
In a post-finale interview with Extra, Bryan praised Roberts’ standout voice and called him a one-of-a-kind talent.
“He just has this special thing,” Bryan said. “There’s so much about his voice that I love. It’s classic, it’s new, it’s fresh.”
A Voice That Can Go Anywhere
One of the reasons Bryan believes in Roberts’ long-term success is his ability to move between musical genres with ease. Throughout the competition, the Mississippi native wowed audiences with everything from R&B ballads to country classics — including a soulful version of “Tennessee Whiskey” by Chris Stapleton.
“He could go country. He could go old-school R&B. He can go pop,” Bryan explained. “He’s got options, and that’s exciting.”
Roberts’ musical roots run deep. In an earlier interview with Billboard, he shared that his love for music started at just two years old, singing in church and covering legends like The Temptations and Michael Jackson. That blend of gospel, soul, and classic pop clearly shaped the artist fans see today.
Praise for the Runners-Up, Too
While Roberts is heading into the spotlight, Bryan also had high praise for the other finalists. He called runner-up John Foster “a total star,” pointing out his charisma and connection with the audience. As for third-place finisher Breanna Nix, Bryan said both she and Foster are “doing things that really move the needle.”
Though we don’t yet know where their paths will lead, one thing is certain — Season 23 was packed with standout talent, and Luke Bryan believes they’re all headed somewhere big.
