On Sunday, May 18, after weeks of thrilling performances and fierce competition, Jamal Roberts was crowned the winner of American Idol Season 23. He earned the ultimate title alongside his fellow Top 3 contestants – John Foster who finished in second and Breanna Nix who earned third place.
The final episode featured several star-studded collaborations, including Roberts who teamed up with the show’s first-ever artist in residence, Jelly Roll, to sing “Liar” and “Unpretty.”
They first took the stage to deliver a portion of the Tennessee native’s powerful tune, “Unpretty.” Appearing under the glow of a purple backdrop, Jelly Roll was first to lend his vocals to the unfiltered emotions within the lyrics. As soon as Roberts took over, Jelly Roll flashed a big, prideful smile, a clear sign of his admiration for the rising star’s undeniable talent.
After lending their vocals to the powerful tune, the energy shifted for “Liar” as the pair of artists brought the heat to the tune written by Jelly Roll alongside Ben Johnson, Ashley Gorley and Taylor Phillips. Together, they dove into the harsh realities of battling addiction and mental health struggles while offering a haunting authenticity.
By the end of the pyro-filled performance, Roberts had Jelly Roll bowing down to his talents. Despite coming from different musical backgrounds, the singers voices blended seamlessly as they traded verses and created a string of impressive harmonies.
Jamal Roberts, a P.E. teacher from Mississippi, had an incredibly successful run on American Idol, and this performance further proved why American voted him the Season 23 winner. In a new post that featured an image of his final performance after learning he had scored the ultimate title, Roberts reflects on his incredible journey that began back in the audition room when he earned the golden ticket.
While he admitted to the fact that he is “still trying to process this,” he penned a powerful message that perfectly sums up the gratitude and love being his time on the show. The Idol champion thanked God, his hometown, and every person who believed in him from the very beginning.
“From my first step on that stage to this unbelievable moment, I never dreamed a kid from my hometown would one day be called American Idol. This journey has been bigger than me, and I’m so grateful for every person who believed in me when I was just chasing a dream,” he began.
Roberts went on to mention his daughters, who he hopes will see that with “faith, hard work, and heart, anything is possible.”
He continued, “To my city, my family, and everyone out there grinding for something greater, this is our victory. Now, I get to make music with the best in the world and share my story. But this isn’t the end… it’s just the beginning. From the bottom of my heart…. THANK YOU! None of this happens without y’all. 💙 “
What’s Next For Jamal Roberts?
Roberts also caught up with USA Today and explained that despite his major win, he has no plans to completely step away from his role as a teacher just yet.
“I wasn’t really doing the teaching thing for the money. It was really the kids, [who are] just my inspiration,” he said. “So even if I could go back every now and then, just show up and be a part of something, I plan to do that.”
As he stated, Jamal Roberts’ musical journey is just getting started. While it’s unclear where he will end up next, it’s clear that his story isn’t just about winning a competition—it’s about inspiring the next generation to believe in themselves and to follow their dreams.
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