Fresh off his Season 23 win on American Idol, Jamal Roberts is living out yet another dream: a collaboration with country star and Idol mentor Jelly Roll — but it almost didn’t happen.
In a new interview with Gold Derby on May 27, 2025, the 27-year-old Mississippi native revealed that he accidentally ignored Jelly Roll’s FaceTime right after winning the show.
“He FaceTimed me,” Roberts shared. “I didn’t know who the number was, and then he texted me, ‘So you Hollywood now, you can’t answer the phone?’ I was like, ‘Man, I didn’t know who the number was.’”
Thankfully, the mix-up didn’t kill the vibe. The two quickly reconnected, and now, plans are underway for a collaboration that fans have been buzzing about since their powerful finale duet.
“Yeah, we’re already working on that now,” Roberts confirmed. “We’re going to have something coming soon.”
A Bond Formed on Idol
Jelly Roll became one of Roberts’ biggest champions during the competition, first taking notice of him in the Hawaii round when Roberts performed “Liar,” one of Jelly Roll’s own hits. The performance was so moving that the country star declared:
“It would feel disrespectful to call this my song at this moment. This is now Jamal’s song.”
From that moment on, the bond was undeniable. Jelly Roll mentored Roberts alongside Ashanti, breaking into tears during rehearsals and telling him:
“That wasn’t a performance, you were testifying… I am your champion in this thing, man. I think you represent a group of misrepresented people.”
From Meridian to the Top
Roberts, a father of three and a P.E. teacher in Meridian, Mississippi, has been praised for his authenticity, vulnerability, and deep gospel-rooted vocals. His American Idol journey inspired millions, and his finale win came with a historic 26 million votes — the most in show history.
He’s since hit No. 1 on the Billboard Gospel charts with “Heal”, and his second single, “He’s Preparing Me”, is quickly climbing.
Why Their Collab Makes Sense
Both Roberts and Jelly Roll are signed to BMG via 19 Recordings, making the logistics of a collab smoother than ever. The timing, chemistry, and label synergy make this partnership feel not just likely — but inevitable.
While no official release date has been announced yet, fans can expect something soon. Given their history on Idol and the emotional weight behind Roberts’ performances, their upcoming song could be one of the most powerful genre crossovers of the year.
Stay tuned — because if Jamal Roberts and Jelly Roll share the mic again, it’s bound to be another show-stopping moment.
