The Mississippi native and newly crowned Season 23 champion opened up in a powerful interview on The Rickey Smiley Morning Show, reflecting on a journey that began long before the confetti fell. With honesty and humility, he shared the struggles, the faith, and the sheer grit it took to get here — and why his victory means more than just a trophy.
“I was rejected twice,” he said. “It got disappointing, but it gave me the fuel to press on.”
Three Tries, One Dream
Long before he was America’s favorite, Jamal was just another hopeful voice auditioning for Idol. Not once. Not twice. But three times.
He also competed on BET’s Sunday Best, where he had the chance to meet gospel powerhouse Kirk Franklin. That encounter may not have ended with a win, but it gave Jamal something even more valuable — perspective and purpose.
“It humbled me,” Jamal recalled. “It prepared me for this moment.”
And when his moment finally came, it came in historic fashion: Jamal became the first Black male to win American Idol since Ruben Studdard in 2003 — more than two decades ago. He also broke another record by receiving the most finale votes in Idol history, proof of the nationwide impact his voice — and his story — had.
A Superstar With a Teacher’s Heart
In true Jamal fashion, he didn’t head straight for Hollywood after his win. Instead, he returned to finish what he started — not on stage, but in the gymnasium of the Mississippi school where he teaches physical education.
“I wanted to be there for the last two days of school,” he said. “The kids were hyped. They’re already talking about naming a hallway after me.”
It’s the kind of move that reminds fans why they voted for Jamal in the first place: his authenticity, his humility, and his unwavering connection to his roots.
A Father First, Always
Offstage, Jamal is a devoted “girl dad” — something he speaks about with visible pride. While his daughters may not fully grasp the enormity of his Idol win, they absolutely understood the joy of celebrating at Disneyland.
“They’re too young to get it all, but that trip? That was everything to them.”
Faith Was His Foundation
When asked what kept him going through years of setbacks, Jamal didn’t hesitate: faith. Raised on gospel and grounded by his grandfather’s deep spirituality, Jamal said it was that inner strength that sustained him through rejection, doubt, and the pressures of fame.
“My grandfather always believed that God had a plan. That belief got me through,” he said.
It’s fitting, then, that his first single “Heal” — a gospel-infused anthem of renewal — has already become a hit, soaring into the Billboard Top 10 just a week after his Idol win.
What’s Next for Jamal Roberts?
As the buzz around Jamal continues to grow, so do the rumors — including whispers of a potential Netflix documentary. But Jamal quickly shut that down with a laugh:
“If you didn’t hear it from me, it ain’t true.”
What is true? He’s back in the studio. He’s focused on the music. And most of all, he’s not finished.
“This is just the beginning,” he said. “There’s more to tell, more to sing, and more people to reach.”
