From the gymnasium to the national stage, Jamal Roberts is redefining what it means to be a rising star. The 26-year-old P.E. teacher from Meridian, Mississippi, has officially captured America’s heart on American Idol Season 23—and he’s just getting started.
It all began with a bold swing: Rick James’ “Mary Jane” for his audition. A choice that could’ve gone sideways, but Jamal made it soar. His rich, soulful voice and genuine delivery had the judges hooked instantly. Lionel Richie told him to “relax and let it come out,” Luke Bryan called his sound “southern soulfulness,” and Carrie Underwood challenged him to match that big voice with the swagger it deserves. And when he got that golden ticket? His daughters, Harmoni and Lyrik, raced onto the stage screaming, “Daddy got the golden ticket!” — a moment that melted hearts everywhere.
But Jamal didn’t just shine in the audition room. When Hollywood Week hit, he leveled up—delivering powerful covers of Teddy Swims and Chris Stapleton that showed off not just vocal grit, but real emotional weight. That performance muscle pushed him into the Top 24, where he took on his biggest challenge yet: singing live from Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii.
His song of choice? “Liar” by Jelly Roll, a gritty anthem of addiction, redemption, and survival. Before he even stepped on stage, Jamal had Jelly Roll himself in tears during rehearsal. “You’re not performing,” Jelly Roll told him. “You’re testifying.” That moment wasn’t just a co-sign—it was a passing of the torch. “That’s not even my song anymore,” Jelly Roll later said.
And when Jamal performed “Liar” live? He didn’t just sing it—he embodied it. With every line, every note, he poured out his story, his pain, his passion. Lionel Richie put it plainly: “If you had passed the collection plate, I would’ve given all my money.” Carrie Underwood described the performance as “a possession.” Luke Bryan said what we were all thinking: “You sing like it might be the last time. That’s how you do this.”
Jamal’s not just in the competition—he’s turning every stage into a sermon, every song into a message. And at the heart of it all is a teacher and father who told Jelly Roll and Ashanti, “I want to show the young fellas that you don’t have to have a gun. You don’t have to sell drugs. Everybody can chase their dream and be a better person.”
As America votes and the Top 20 approaches, one thing’s for sure: no matter what happens next, Jamal Roberts has already arrived. And he’s bringing his whole community with him.
