What should have been a landmark celebration in American Idol history quickly became one of its most controversial chapters. Jamal Roberts, the 27-year-old Mississippi native who made history as the first Black male winner in over two decades, has found his big win shadowed by fan-fueled drama—much of it centered on longtime Idol favorite Carrie Underwood.
Just days after his crowning moment, Carrie ignited an online firestorm when she posted a photo of a baby lamb on her farm, casually revealing that she’d named it “Jamal.” The move, which she framed as a sweet tribute, landed badly. Fans flooded her comments with accusations that the gesture was tone-deaf at best, and deeply offensive at worst. “You couldn’t give him a hug for winning but you name an animal after him?” one user wrote. Another bluntly said, “This is sick.”
The backlash had been simmering long before the lamb post. Throughout the season, eagle-eyed viewers questioned Carrie’s demeanor toward Roberts. While her fellow judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan frequently praised Jamal’s performances and even gave standing ovations, Carrie’s body language and critiques drew scrutiny.
Some fans felt she favored runner-up John Foster and gave Jamal harsher feedback than others. One particularly polarizing moment came during his audition, when she told him he needed to show more “swagger.” Jamal later admitted in an interview that the comment made him uncomfortable, especially after watching other contestants—many of them white and dressed in country attire—receive golden tickets without being told to “bring swag.”
Now, Jamal is finally breaking his silence. In a candid interview on The Morning Hustle, he opened up about the elephant in the room. When asked directly about Carrie’s vibe throughout the season, he tread carefully, saying, “Watching all the past performances, I see that she was clapping and, you know, getting on board. So I really don’t know… I don’t have no comment there. Bring the bell.”
But he didn’t hold back when it came to Luke Bryan. “Luke supported me 100%,” Jamal said, contrasting the two judges without needing to say much more. The warmth in his voice when discussing Luke, compared with his neutral tone on Carrie, painted a clear picture. Even the host of the show acknowledged the shade, admitting they didn’t like the way Carrie looked at Jamal on stage or the overall energy she gave him.
The controversy around Carrie has only intensified. Fans have unearthed past moments from her career, including her decision to perform at Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration and an old comedy sketch mocking Obama-era healthcare policies, adding to claims that she’s out of touch with diverse audiences.
Reports from backstage suggest that the discomfort isn’t just coming from viewers—some production insiders have allegedly expressed frustration with her influence on the show and her demeanor since rejoining as a judge.
What was meant to be Carrie Underwood’s full-circle moment—returning to Idol 20 years after her own win—has instead turned into one of the most divisive points in the show’s legacy. Meanwhile, Jamal Roberts is keeping his head high. As his single “Heal” climbs the charts and his fan base grows by the day, his grace under pressure is earning him even more admiration.
The drama may not be dying down anytime soon, but one thing is certain: Jamal Roberts is walking through the storm with the same heart and humility that won him the crown in the first place.Tools
