'American Idol': Mississippi native Jamal Roberts makes Top 7. See his captivating performance
Jamal Roberts is steadily rising through the ranks of "American Idol" Season 23. The Meridian native is now in the Top 7.
Last week, the 27-year-old Crestwood Elementary P.E. teacher became the sixth Mississippian in the show's history to break the Top 10.
Sunday night, May 4, Roberts earned his spot in the Top 8 with a passionate rendition of Carrie Underwood's "Undo It."
Monday night, May 5, Roberts gave a captivating performance singing Fantasia's "I Believe," bringing the audience to their feet.
Roberts started his "American Idol" journey when he won a golden ticket singing "Mary Jane" by Rick James in audition rounds.
In the weeks since his audition round aired, Roberts has traveled throughout the U.S. with his fellow contestants, eluding elimination rounds with his raw, soulful performances.
In the first few weeks of elimination rounds, judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood held the power to decide who stayed and who went home.
The power shifted into audiences' hands once the contestants were down to the Top 24. Roberts has proved to be an audience favorite, making it into the Top 20, then the Top 14, Top 10, Top 8 and now, the Top 7.
Monday night's elimination was a combination of audience votes and judge decisions. The audience voted to determine the first six of the Top 7.
Roberts secured his Top 7 spot on audience votes alone.
Contestants Mattie Pruitt and Josh King did not earn enough votes, meaning the judges could chose one to complete the Top 7.
The judges anonymously submitted a list of songs for the contestants to choose from Monday night. The two judges with the most songs selected by the contestants got to decide who to send home. Bryan and Richie earned the power to chose.
After they conferred, Bryan and Richie announced their decision: Pruitt was sent home, and King advanced to the Top 7.
If you want to cast your vote for Roberts, you can text during live episodes using Roberts' code, which appears on screen as he performs. Vote through the "American Idol" app or vote through the "American Idol" website.
Here is the Top 7 of "American Idol" Season 23, in no particular order:
Thunderstorm Artis
John Foster
Breanna Nix
Jamal Roberts
Slater Nalley
Gabby Samone
Josh King
If you want to follow along with Roberts' journey, episodes air Sunday and Monday at 7 p.m. CST and on Hulu the following day.
Got a news tip? Contact Mary Boyte at mboyte@jackson.gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Who is left on American Idol? Mississippi's Jamal Roberts makes Top 7
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