When season 23 American Idol winner Jamal Roberts first heard Tom Odell’s haunting 2013 song “Heal”, it was a game-changer. Choosing the track for the live show on April 28, 2025, Roberts worked closely with his musical mentor, Fantasia, to craft a deeply emotional rendition that left judges and audiences utterly speechless.
The performance was so powerful that “Heal” quickly became Roberts’ first official single, released on May 17 through American Idol’s partner 19 Recordings. It didn’t just make waves — it shot straight to No. 1 on iTunes’ Top Songs chart. By May 21, it was still reigning supreme, sitting just above Kelly Clarkson’s iconic “Where Have You Been,” proving Roberts was making his own legendary mark.
But what really took the story to the next level was the reaction from the Tom Odell himself. Just a day after Roberts’ big win, Odell shared on New York’s KTU radio that the cover had moved him to tears.
“The other day, this guy in America did a cover of ‘Heal’ on American Idol,” Odell told the DJ. “Watch this — it made me cry. I wrote this song when I was 20. I’m 34 now. And I saw the video on YouTube.”
Odell was blown away that Roberts had only heard the song the day before performing it live — yet he delivered a version so authentic and heartfelt it reminded Odell why he makes music in the first place.
“To me, music is all about connection,” Odell explained. “Whether someone covers a song on TikTok or on American Idol, or remixes it, it’s communication. It’s cultures coming together, sharing, learning. That’s what music really is.”
Odell, currently touring with Billie Eilish, knows a thing or two about global reach — his debut single “Another Love” remains one of Spotify’s most-streamed songs of all time.
A Song with History: Why Jamal Chose ‘Heal’
Jamal Roberts’ decision to sing “Heal” wasn’t random. The episode’s theme was “Iconic Idol Moments,” and two seasons earlier, Leah Marlene stunned audiences with a slowed-down, soul-stirring performance of the same song. Roberts’ version is closer in pace to Marlene’s but infused with his unique soulful style — even adding fresh lyrics at the end.
After winning, Roberts told Parade Magazine that he loves to put his personal spin on songs from all genres. “I really study the lyrics,” he said. “I put myself inside them. I ask myself, ‘What can I relate to?’ Then I bring that feeling to the performance.”
Taking ‘Heal’ Beyond the Show
Roberts performed “Heal” again on the American Idol finale on May 18, and just two days after his victory, he brought the song to national TV audiences on Good Morning America and Live With Kelly and Mark — spreading its emotional power far and wide.
With such a soulful voice and a heart full of honesty, Jamal Roberts isn’t just winning competitions — he’s creating moments that stay with you long after the music ends.
