Jamal Roberts

Jamal Roberts (born November 6, 1997) is an American singer from Meridian, Mississippi. He rose to prominence as the winner of the twenty-third season of American Idol. In doing so, he became the second African American male winner in the show's history. Following Idol, he released a cover of "Heal" by Tom Odell, which reached number one on the Billboard Hot Gospel Songs chart. Roberts was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance/Song for the live version of his song "Still," a collaboration with Jonathan McReynolds.

Background Roberts is the father of three girls, and a physical education (P.E.) coach at Crestwood Elementary School in Meridian, Mississippi. When asked by Billboard what it is like to be a father, he said it is "the best thing that ever happened to me. They're [his children] very sensitive, especially with their daddy... you learn how to treat this one without making this one feel jealous."

Career 2025-present: American Idol and touring

Roberts auditioned for the show twice before. During the second season for which he auditioned, he was asked to perform a second song but had only prepared one. His influences include The Temptations, David Ruffin, Jamie Foxx, B.B. King, Michael Jackson, Al Green, Marvin Sapp, Daryl Coley, and gospel singer Lee Williams of Lee Williams and the Spiritual QC's. Roberts reflected on what advice he would give to contestants on Idol: "Go with your first mind (meaning to avoid being indecisive, but follow your instinct). Anything that you do, do your best." Jelly Roll, the in-house mentor for season 23 of American Idol, told Roberts that "Liar" was "not his own song anymore" after Roberts performed his rendition of the song in Hawaii, and that he felt that Roberts sang it better than he could while performing in the Top 24 round of the contest. Jelly Roll felt after singing a duet with Roberts that "Liar" is "Jamal's song (now) and that he was singing Jamal's song tonight".

Roberts was asked about his perspective on winning and said, "I took the 'no' (looking back at his first two unsuccessful efforts on the show). I've always been able to take constructive criticism and use it for my gain and try again." Roberts' rendition of "Heal" was released as a single on May 17, 2025. "Heal" is a cover song; however, Roberts wrote an original third verse to it, and the song represents a prayer.

Roberts won American Idol on May 18, 2025, after receiving 26 million votes—a record for the ABC version of the show and nearly double the number of votes from the previous season. He is the second African American male winner in the show's history, and the first since Ruben Studdard won in 2003. Idol judge Richie twice remarked that Roberts is "divinely guided"—first after he performed the Top 12 cover of "Heal" by Odell; and again, after a cover of The Temptations' "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" during the finale.

On June 24, 2025, it was announced that he would appear as a support act for Brandy and Monica's 2025 The Boy Is Mine Tour, alongside Kelly Rowland and Muni Long; the tour is due to commence in October 2025, and finish in December 2025.

On November 7, 2025, it was announced that Roberts and Jonathan McReynolds received a Grammy nomination for Best Gospel Performance/Song for the live rendition of their song, "Still".

Performances and results

Discography Singles As lead artist TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbumUSDigital USGospel USGospelDigital USGospelStream "He's Preparing Me"2020 — — — — "Heal" 2025 1 1 1 7"Mississippi" — — — —"Nothing Compares" — — — — "Head Up" 2026 — — — — "Perfect for Me" — — — — "Girl Dad" — — — — "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

As featured artist TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbumUSGospel USGospelDigital 2025 4 1 3 Closer

Awards and nominations Year Association Category Nominee / Work Result 2026 Grammy Awards Best Gospel Performance/Song "Still" Contemporary Duo/Chorus Group of the Year Dove Awards Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year