Jamal Roberts delivered one of his most powerful performances yet during the Top 8 episode of American Idol Season 23—and he did it with a heart full of love and a life-changing announcement.
Before stepping onto the stage on Monday, May 5, Jamal shared that he had just welcomed his third child—a baby girl named Gianna Grace Roberts. The news came as a touching surprise to fans, as Jamal had kept the birth private until that moment. “It was so personal to me, I did not share it. But I have a healthy, beautiful, baby girl that was born today,” he said, clearly emotional.
Already a proud father to daughters Harmoni and Lyrik, who were both in the audience cheering him on, Jamal used this emotional momentum to pour his heart into a soaring rendition of “I Believe” by Fantasia—a song deeply tied to triumph and faith. The track, chosen by judge Lionel Richie for the judges’ song contest, resonated with Jamal’s current moment in life and the weight of the love surrounding him.
“Right now, where I stand in this competition, it’s love that I feel lifting me higher, for real,” Jamal explained, referencing the support from his hometown and, most meaningfully, from his children.
The performance was a standout, earning praise and tears from the judging panel, and sealing his place in the Top 6 thanks to viewer votes. The emotional depth and vocal strength Jamal brought to the stage underscored why he remains a frontrunner in the competition.
Looking ahead, the Top 7 will return on May 11 for a Disney-themed episode that will also include tributes to their mothers for Mother’s Day. The stakes get higher from there: America will vote to send five artists to Disney Night #2 on May 12, where they’ll be mentored by Lin-Manuel Miranda. From that group, the Top 3 will be revealed, securing a place in the grand finale on Sunday, May 18.
With a newborn daughter, two adoring daughters in the crowd, and a growing fanbase, Jamal Roberts isn’t just chasing a title—he’s living a legacy in the making.
