What to know about 'American Idol' winner Jamal Roberts. MS teacher wins in record finale vote
Jamal Roberts is your new "American Idol" winner. The Mississippi man won Season 23 on Sunday, May 18.
He drew the most fan votes out of 26 million cast. According to PEOPLE magazine, host Ryan Seacrest said it was the "biggest finale vote in show history."
"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," Roberts said in an Instagram post. "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.
Roberts performed Anthony Hamilton's "Her Heart" as his winner's song. Earlier in the night, he sang with Jelly Roll.
John Foster and Breanna Nix were the runners-up, and Nix was eliminate about halfway through the finale.
Roberts, 27, is a P.E. teacher at Crestwood Elementary School in Mississippi. He's the first Black man to win since Ruben Studdard took the Season 2 title in 2003. He's also the second winner from Mississippi.
Here's what to know about Jamal Roberts and his run on "American Idol."
The Meridian, Mississippi, native is a girl dad. His daughters are Harmoni, Lyrik and Gianna. the youngest is only days old. He shared photos of his oldest girls having fun at Disneyland and a pic of his baby in a ladybug costume during the competition.
"Being a dad is literally the best thing that ever happened to me. It calmed me down and gave me a better look at things and actually having girls teaches you how to treat a woman. They're very sensitive, especially with their daddy. So you learn how to treat this one without making this one feel jealous," Roberts said in an interview with Billboard.
He told Billboard that he started singing in church as a child. 'I sang a lot in my room. I would sing to myself or create music and it actually sounded good. When I got older I felt better because I thought I had something special.'
He released a song that he wrote, "He's Preparing Me," five years ago but hasn't released more at this time.
According to Billboard, the first time he was told he needed more vocal training and wasn't old enough.
The next time, he only prepped one song and couldn't follow through when asked to sing something else.
Ultimately, he won a golden ticket singing "Mary Jane" by Rick James during the audition rounds.
"You need some swagger," Carrie Underwood said. "You can't walk around with that big ole voice and not have the rest of you being like, 'Yeah!' … You're so good. Just let your body match your voice."
In addition to teaching physical education, Roberts also coaches about 70 kids in Soul Choir.
"I wasn't really doing the teaching thing for the money. It was really the kids, (who are) just my inspiration," he told USA TODAY after his win. "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."
Roberts was also on BET's "Sunday Best." He made the Season 10 Top 3 on the gospel singing show in 2020.
On Wednesday, May 14, Meridian held a parade for Roberts, followed by a mini-concert. The 20,000 fans turned out to support their hometown favorite.
Trent Harmon, of Amory, won Season 15, and La'Porsha Renae, of McComb, was the runner-up.
The Magnolia State has had several competitors climb the ranks in the show.
Colin Stough, of Gattman, placed third in Season 21, and Amory resident Zachariah Smith made the Top 5.
Skylar Laine, of Jackson, was also a Top 5 finalist on Season 11.
The latest episodes of "American Idol" are available on Hulu.
The longtime series has been renewed for Season 24. It will air in 2026.
But whether this season's judges will be back has not been announced.
Contributing: KiMi Robinson, Haadiza Ogwude, Mary Boyte, Lici Beveridge
Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA Today. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: What to know about 'American Idol' winner Jamal Roberts, a MS teacher
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