Is Jamal Roberts First Black Man to Win American Idol? Here's Everything You Need to Know About Season 23 Winner
American Idol Season 23 came to an end on May 18 with Jamal Roberts being crowned the winner. The announcement was made by longtime host Ryan Seacrest during the finale, where Jamal stood alongside finalists John Foster and Breanna Nix. John came in second, while Breanna placed third.
Jamal's win is historic, he is the first Black male winner of American Idol in 22 years, following Ruben Studdard's win in 2003. Roberts is a 27-year-old physical education teacher from Meridian, Mississippi, and his story of perseverance and community pride touched viewers across the country.
Before stepping into the American Idol spotlight, Jamal Roberts taught physical education at Crestwood Elementary School in Mississippi. He also competed on BET's Sunday Best, where he reached the top three. That early experience helped him grow as an artist. 'It helped me build thick skin,' Jamal said.
'It prepared me to handle the pressure of competing on one of America's biggest stages.' Despite his growing fame, Roberts has stayed grounded and continues to represent his hometown proudly. 'This is where I was born and raised,' he said about Meridian. 'It could be a whole lot better than what it is. So, I'm hoping that I can bring a little light to it.'
Jamal Roberts is also a father to three daughters: Harmoni, Lyrik, and Gianna Grace. His youngest daughter was born in April 2025, just days before one of his live performances. Although being away from his family was hard, he said their support kept him going.
'Most of all, I hope my girls see this and know that with faith, hard work and heart, anything is possible,' he shared on Instagram after winning. 'This journey has been bigger than me, and I'm so grateful for every person who believed in me.' While Roberts keeps his relationship private, he frequently shows love for his daughters and hometown.
As the winner of American Idol Season 23, Jamal Roberts will receive USD 125,000, according to The Sun. He now has the opportunity to make music on a larger scale. In a heartfelt Instagram post, he wrote, '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.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
BET Awards 2025 Red Carpet: Snoop Dogg, Keke Palmer, Tyler Perry among celebrities in attendance
The 2025 BET Awards took place Monday night, June 9, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, with stars including Snoop Dogg, Keke Palmer, and Tyler Perry walking the red carpet. Kevin Hart hosted the ceremony, and Kendrick Lamar led all nominees with 10, followed by Doechii, Drake, Future, and GloRilla Snoop Dogg, Keke Palmer, and Tyler Perry were among the celebrities who walked the red carpet at the 2025 BET Awards at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The 2025 BET Awards brought major artists, entertainers, and creators to Los Angeles on Monday evening, June 9. The event, held at the Peacock Theater , showcased a high-profile red carpet featuring several leading figures in music, television, and Kevin Hart was among the first to arrive ahead of the annual ceremony, which celebrates Black excellence across entertainment industries. Other notable attendees included Snoop Dogg, Keke Palmer, Tyler Perry, Doechii, Machine Gun Kelly, Andra Day, Jordin Sparks, Ashanti, and Shaboozey Also read: BET Awards 2025: how to watch, host, performers, nominations and Icon Award winners This year's BET Awards, also referred to as 'Culture's Biggest Night,' recognized accomplishments in music, acting, and social advocacy. The ceremony included live performances and honors across multiple genres and Lamar led all nominees with 10 nods, including album of the year for GNX. Doechii, Drake, Future, and GloRilla each earned six nominations. Metro Boomin received five nominations, while SZA and The Weeknd followed closely with four nominations BET Awards continue to highlight cultural impact and artistic achievement while drawing participation from top talent across entertainment fields. The red carpet event remains a major focal point for fashion, media, and fan ceremony aired on BET and partner networks including MTV , VH1, and the Paramount Network
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
BET Awards 2025: how to watch, host, performers, nominations and Icon Award winners
Where to watch the 2025 BET Awards and pre-show details The 2025 BET Awards, widely recognized as 'Culture's Biggest Night,' will broadcast live on Monday, June 9, at 8 p.m. ET. Viewers can tune in on multiple networks, including BET, MTV, MTV2, NAN, Pop, Logo, CMT, and the Paramount Network. The red carpet pre-show, hosted by Terrence J and Pretty Vee, will begin at 6 p.m. ET. The main ceremony will follow with comedian and actor Kevin Hart serving as the host. According to promotional material released in advance, Hart has stated his intention to elevate the show's experience. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mini House for 60 sqm for Seniors with Toilet and Bath (Click Here) Pre Fabricated Homes | Search Ads Search Now Also read: Awards Season 2025-26: Full list of award shows and nominations from June 2025 to March 2026 Confirmed performers, nominations, and Icon Award recipients The 2025 BET Awards will include live performances by Teyana Taylor, GloRilla, Leon Thomas, Playboi Carti, and Lil Wayne. These artists represent a wide range of genres and generations in hip-hop and R&B. Live Events Kendrick Lamar leads the nominations with a total of 10, including a nomination for Album of the Year for 'GNX.' Doechii follows with six nominations, including for her mixtape 'Alligator Bites Never Heal.' She is also nominated for Video of the Year and Viewer's Choice Award for 'Denial is a River.' Drake, GloRilla, and Future also received six nominations each. Drake is recognized in both the Best Male R&B/Pop Artist and Best Male Hip Hop Artist categories. This year's recipients of the BET Ultimate Icon Award are Jamie Foxx, Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, and Kirk Franklin. According to BET, the award recognizes those who have made 'decades of groundbreaking contributions to music, entertainment, advocacy, and community impact.' A 25th-anniversary tribute to 106 & Park , the influential music video countdown show, will also be featured. A reunion segment will include performances by Bow Wow, T.I., B2K, Amerie, Jim Jones, Keyshia Cole, and Mya. These artists were mainstays on the original program, which was a cultural fixture in the early 2000s. Also read: Tony Awards 2025: How to watch red carpet, preshow and main ceremony? See date, time, where to watch, nominees, performances and presenters The 2025 BET Awards continue to celebrate Black excellence in music and entertainment by combining new talent with legendary figures. The inclusion of multiple broadcast partners and expanded performances reflects the network's commitment to broadening the show's reach and cultural impact.
India Today
5 hours ago
- India Today
Sly Stone, groundbreaking musician behind ‘Family Affair,' dies in Los Angeles
Sly Stone, frontman of Sly and the Family Stone and one of the most dominant figures in contemporary music, died on Monday at the age of 82. The trailblazer was celebrated for blending funk, soul, rock, and psychedelia, revolutionizing the sound of the 1960s and '70s with genre-defining songs such as Everyday People, Family Affair, and Stand!.His publicist, Carleen Donovan, confirmed that Stone had died in Los Angeles, surrounded by his family, after a long illness involving chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other Diverse Band for a Divided Era Formed in the late 1960s, Sly and the Family Stone was groundbreaking not only musically but also socially — the first major band to feature Black and white men and women together. With energetic horns, infectious grooves, and inclusive messages, their music reflected both the optimism and turmoil of the anthems such as I Want To Take You Higher to introspective ballads like Family Affair, the group spoke for a generation amid cultural upheaval. Their 1969 Woodstock performance remains one of the most enduring images of the his reign being relatively short-lived, Stone's influence was long-lasting. Artists such as Prince, George Clinton, the Jackson 5, and many hip-hop producers cited him as a major inspiration. Even Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock acknowledged his trailblazing published his memoir Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) in 2023, with a foreword by Questlove, who also directed the 2025 documentary Sly Lives! honoring Stone's genius and complicated the 1970s, personal and professional pressures began to take a toll. Stone became increasingly erratic and struggled with drug addiction. Although the band's later records like There's a Riot Goin' On gained critical acclaim, the magic eventually faded. Stone made few appearances in the decades that followed, releasing just one new album after the early ' Sylvester Stewart in Texas and raised in California, Stone was a prodigy from a young age. A multi-instrumentalist, producer, and DJ, he was driven by a belief in unity through music. His life was as complex as his sound — full of brilliance, contradictions, and lasting Stone leaves behind three children and a legacy that forever changed the landscape of American music.(With inputs from AP)
