Just over a week after clinching the crown on American Idol Season 23, Jamal Roberts has already skyrocketed to the top of the music charts—securing his first Top 10 Billboard hit and claiming the coveted #1 spot on the Gospel chart. At just 27, this proud girl dad is not only celebrating a massive career milestone but also marking it permanently—with a brand-new tattoo.
On the very night before the American Idol finale, Roberts’ breathtaking cover of Tom Odell’s 2013 track “Heal” dropped through the show’s label partner, 19 Recordings. Fast forward just ten days to May 28, 2025, and Billboard made the exhilarating announcement: “Heal” debuted at #1 on the Hot Gospel chart and surged to #2 on the all-genre Digital Sales chart.
But Jamal’s not the only Idol alum making waves. Alongside him, third-place finalist Breanna Nix’s debut single “Higher” soared to #4 with 5,000 downloads, and runner-up John Foster’s heartfelt “Tell That Angel I Love Her” landed at #6, proving this season’s talent is a powerhouse lineup.
Digging deeper, “Heal” sold 9,000 downloads for the week ending May 22, according to Billboard’s data from Luminate, topping the Gospel Digital Song Sales chart. The song’s impressive 918,000 U.S. streams in just a few days further cemented its viral success. Interestingly, “Heal” wasn’t Jamal’s first brush with the chart—his 2020 track “He’s Preparing Me” had climbed to #4 on the Gospel Digital Song Sales chart earlier in May, thanks to fans discovering him during the show.
What makes “Heal” truly special is how it became Jamal’s anthem during the competition. He first performed the song on the April 28 episode, a track he hadn’t heard before but instantly connected with. Telling guest mentor Fantasia about its personal impact, Jamal transformed the performance into something unforgettable, leaving both the judges and the crowd speechless.
After reaching the top three, Jamal recorded “Heal” as a single with 19 Recordings, adding his own heartfelt lyrics to reflect his faith—a move that made the song even more powerful. He performed it once more on the finale stage before being crowned the season’s winner.
To commemorate this incredible journey and the song that propelled him, Jamal surprised fans during a Facebook Live on May 27 by revealing a new tattoo—“HEAL” inked boldly down his chest. The tattoo artist cleverly incorporated the “E” from a previous “HOPE” tattoo he had, connecting the two words in a meaningful vertical design. Jamal admitted the fresh ink was still hurting but said it was a small price to pay to forever honor this milestone.
On May 28, while in Atlanta with his manager and attorney, Jamal shared a glimpse of his striking new tattoo on social media, rocking his signature look: a sharp suit with no shirt underneath. It’s a bold statement—both a nod to his faith and a symbol of healing, hope, and a bright future ahead.
Jamal Roberts is proving that winning American Idol is just the beginning—and with hits like “Heal,” his star is only rising higher.
