It was “Ladies’ Night” on American Idol, but Jamal Roberts stole the spotlight. The Mississippi native turned the heat up on stage with a bold, soulful take on Carrie Underwood’s “Undo It,” earning a spot in the top 8 and a standing ovation from the judges—including Underwood herself.
The 27-year-old from Meridian wasn’t just paying tribute; he was chasing legacy. “I think Carrie is a strong woman, so I’ve got to sing one of her songs,” he explained before stepping into the spotlight. A gutsy move—covering a song by one of Idol‘s most iconic champions, who also happens to be sitting behind the judges’ table this season.
Guided by guest mentor Miranda Lambert, Roberts leaned into what’s brought him this far—emotive runs and a voice dipped in soul. Lambert encouraged him to amplify those signature flourishes, and when the lights came up, he delivered a genre-bending twist on the country rocker that had the entire studio buzzing.
“That was so much fun,” Underwood beamed, catching the cowboy hat Roberts tossed into the crowd at the song’s final note. “I’m keeping this!” she laughed, clearly charmed.
“You are mesmerizing, and I love it,” added Lionel Richie, summing up what everyone was feeling.
Then came the nerve-wracking part: over 21 million votes were cast, and as the stage lights dimmed, host Ryan Seacrest called out the names of those moving forward. Roberts heard his name—along with John Foster, Josh King, Breanna Nix, Slater Nalley, Mattie Pruett, Gabby Samone, and Thunderstorm Artis.
In a surprising twist, platinum ticket holders Kolbi Jordan and Canaan James Hill didn’t make the cut—proof that past accolades don’t guarantee future success.
As Roberts heads into the next round, one thing’s clear: he’s not just wearing the hat—he’s stepping into the boots of a real contender.
