When 27-year-old physical education teacher and proud “girl dad” Jamal Roberts first stepped onto the American Idol stage, his rich, soulful voice instantly impressed judges Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie. But they also encouraged the Meridian, Mississippi native to find the confidence and stage presence to match his vocal talent. Since then, Roberts has done just that, becoming a fan favorite with his smooth R&B runs, powerful ballads, and signature glitzy suits.
Now, Roberts is one of the final three contestants competing for the American Idol Season 23 crown on May 18, 2025. Alongside fellow finalists Breanna Nix and John Foster, he will perform live during the three-hour finale, hoping to win the votes needed to stay in the competition. Since the third-place finisher is typically announced midway through the show, his supporters will need to vote early to help keep him in the running.
Voting opens at 8 p.m. Eastern time and closes during the final commercial break around 10:50 p.m. Eastern. Because the show airs live coast-to-coast, fans on the West Coast must tune in at 5 p.m. Pacific and vote during the live broadcast.
Fans have three ways to vote for Jamal Roberts. First, through ABC’s website, where users can log in using a free or existing MyDisney account and cast up to 10 votes. Second, via the American Idol app on both Apple and Android devices, where users can submit another 10 votes. On both platforms, votes can be changed during the show—as long as they are saved before the deadline.
The third option is by text. Supporters can send the number 12 to 21523 to vote for Roberts, up to 10 times by text alone. Altogether, fans can vote up to 30 times for him using all three methods.
While Roberts has captivated millions onstage, he’s also had a huge impact offstage—especially among the students he teaches at Crestwood Elementary in Meridian. Known to his kids as “Coach Jamal,” Roberts returned to a hero’s welcome during his hometown visit on May 14. The school posted a heartfelt tribute on Facebook featuring videos of him inspiring students, playing dress-up, and bringing joy to the school community.
Speaking directly to students during a lunchroom visit, Roberts reminded them of the lessons he’s always tried to teach: “I always told you if you work hard … good things will always come out of it.” As cheers erupted, he added, “I’ve been working hard, trying to win this competition — y’all think I can win it?”
Roberts told the kids how much he missed them and urged them to keep believing in themselves. “Whether it’s motivation, sportsmanship — whatever I taught you, I want you to hold onto it,” he said. “No matter what happens after this, I’m still gonna be a coach.”
