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Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Did Meridian, MS, singer Jamal Roberts win 'American Idol'?
Meridian-native Jamal Roberts is the new "American Idol." More than 26 million viewers voted on Sunday night, May 18, the biggest turnout in the show's history. This season's final three was stacked with Southerners. Roberts competed against John Foster, 18, of Addis, Louisiana and Breanna Nix, 25, of Denton, Texas. After two rounds of performances, the three competitors stood on stage awaiting the third place announcement. Suspense grew and the singers held their breath before host Ryan Seacrest announced Nix would not be joining the final two. Roberts is the second Mississippian to win "American Idol." Trent Harmon of Amory won Season 15. Before Roberts, five Mississippi natives had made it to the Top 10. Skylar Laine of Jackson was a finalist on Season 11. La'Porsha Renae of McComb was runner-up on Season 15. Most recently, Gattman resident Colin Stough placed third in Season 21. Also in Season 21, Amory resident Zachariah Smith made the top five. Roberts, a 27-year-old P.E. teacher at Crestwood Elementary, started his "American Idol" Season 23 journey when he won a golden ticket singing "Mary Jane" by Rick James in audition rounds. Before competing on "American Idol," Roberts grew a following singing covers on TikTok. In the weeks following his audition, Roberts traveled throughout the U.S. with his fellow contestants, eluding elimination rounds with his raw, soulful performances. On Monday, May 12, Roberts became the fourth Mississippian in "American Idol" history to break the Top 3. When Roberts first auditioned, judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood were impressed, but agreed Roberts could use some more confidence. The singer gradually grew his stage presence, and by the finale, Roberts easily commanded the room. Mississippi has rallied around Roberts in the past few weeks, and no community has supported the singer more than his own hometown. Last week, Meridian held a massive celebration for Roberts' homecoming including a parade. Roberts gave a performance outside Meridian Town Hall that drew a crowd of 20,000. Meridian's entire population in just over 33,500. A video package shown before Roberts' second performance Sunday night showed the P.E. coach's homecoming before he flew back to California for the finale. "We are very proud that he is from Meridian," a resident said in the video. "He's showing our children they can accomplish their dreams." Roberts' students gave emotional speeches as the entire city showed their support. "No matter what happen after this, I'm still going to be your coach," Roberts told his students. Roberts moved the audience with a passionate rendition of TEEKS' "First Time" for his first performance Sunday night. Signs sporting "Team Jamal" swayed in the audience, and Roberts' family wiped tears as the music faded out. "You just look so comfortable and at ease in the way you're walking around interacting with everybody," Underwood said in a full-circle moment. Underwood told Roberts in his audition that he needed to work on looking more comfortable and confident while singing. "Will you teach me how to be how that smooth?" Bryan joked. "When we leave the set and I go back home, people ask me about you, and I'm like, 'Man, he is just so smooth with his delivery,' … Everything about you is a star." "What I love about you is the way you just navigate the story and it happens to come out of your mouth in brilliant form," Richie said. The song was hand-selected by this season's artist-in-residence Jelly Roll, who earlier in the season said Roberts' performance of his song "Liar" was even better than his original. Jelly Roll declared the song "Jamal's song." Roberts isn't the only Mississippian with ties to the song. Grammy-nominated songwriter Ben Johnson, a member of the sibling trio Track45, co-wrote the song. The Johnsons originally are from Meridian. Sunday night, Roberts and Jelly Roll sand "Liar" together. For his second performance, Roberts sang "Just My Imagination" by The Temptations. "I cannot believe that you've been in a school room teaching kids and you go from that to what you're able to do in front of us," Bryan said. "You're one of the most amazing people that I've ever seen on this show." After the judges' comments, Seacrest pointed out the lipstick stain still on Roberts' cheek from his mom before the performance. Roberts has shown his love for his family throughout the competition. Roberts is a father of three daughters Harmoni, 6, Lyrik, 4, and Gianna, who was born just two weeks before the finale. Harmoni and Lyrik have joined the audience for several of Roberts' performances, and once again cheered for their dad Sunday night. For his final performance, Roberts performed Tom Odell's "Heal," which he also performed to earn a spot in the Top 10. Once again, Roberts moved the audience to tears, adding his own twist on the original song, centering his version on his religious faith and love for Jesus. Roberts' version of "Heal" is available now for purchase and streaming. Lici Beveridge contributed reporting. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jamal Roberts wins American Idol 2025
Express Tribune
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Who is Jamal Roberts? Mississippi teacher becomes first Black man to win ‘American Idol' in 22 years
The American Idol Season 23 winner is a 27-year-old P.E. teacher from Meridian, Mississippi, whose soulful performances and inspiring story won the hearts of viewers across the country. After 26 million votes, the most ever in a season finale, Roberts was crowned the winner, making him the first Black male to win since Ruben Studdard in 2003. A devoted father of three daughters—Harmoni, Lyrik and Gianna—Roberts balanced family life and teaching at Crestwood Elementary with his dream of a music career. His journey began in church, singing hymns and Motown covers under the guidance of his musical grandparents. Though he had auditioned twice before, Roberts didn't give up, returning this season with greater experience and confidence. His audition performance of Rick James' 'Mary Jane' impressed judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood, earning him a golden ticket. Throughout the season, Roberts delivered powerful vocals and emotional depth, with standout performances including 'First Time,' 'Just My Imagination,' and 'Heal.' His duet of 'Liar' with Jelly Roll became a season highlight, with Jelly Roll calling it 'Jamal's song.' Roberts' hometown of Meridian showed overwhelming support, hosting a homecoming parade that drew 20,000 fans. He joins fellow Mississippian Trent Harmon as one of the few from the state to win American Idol.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'American Idol': Meridian native Jamal Roberts makes Top 3. See his performances here
Meridian-native Jamal Roberts is officially heading to the finale of "American Idol" Season 23, making him the fourth Mississippian in the show's history to break the Top 3. Roberts, a 27-year-old P.E. teacher at Crestwood Elementary, started his "American Idol" journey when he won a golden ticket singing "Mary Jane" by Rick James in audition rounds. On Sunday night, May 18, Roberts will have a chance to sing for the "American Idol" title against two other contestants. 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. Sunday night, May 11, Roberts performed Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come," and "Go the Distance" from Disney's "Hercules," securing enough audience votes to make it into the Top 5. Monday night, May 12, Roberts won the audience's favor once again with two captivating performances. Roberts first showed off his vocal range with a spirited performance of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." Continuing Sunday night's Disney theme, Roberts then performed a smooth and powerful rendition of the titular track of "Beauty and the Beast." Before Roberts, three Mississippi natives had made the Top 3. La'Porsha Renae of McComb was runner-up on Season 15 and Trent Harmon of Amory was the winner of Season 15. Most recently, Gattman resident Colin Stough placed third in Season 21. Here are the Top 3 of "American Idol" Season 23, in no particular order. Jamal Roberts John Foster Breanna Nix Slater Nalley and Thunderstorm Artis did not earn enough votes to make it into the Top 3. 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. Roberts will face off in the finale against Foster and Nix for the coveted "American Idol" first place title. The "American Idol" Season 23 finales will air on ABC Sunday, May 18th at 7 p.m. CST. Got a news tip? Contact Mary Boyte at mboyte@ This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jamal Roberts makes American Idol 2025 Top 3
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'American Idol': Meridian native Jamal Roberts soars through Hollywood Week elimination rounds
Jamal Roberts, a Meridian native, soared through "American Idol's" "Hollywood Week" performances Monday night, March 31, securing his spot as more than half of the 144 contestants were sent home. Roberts, a 26-year-old P.E. teacher at Crestwood Elementary, passed audition rounds during last week's episode, officially joining "American Idol" season 23. Monday night, Roberts stepped into the "Idol Arena" and wowed judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood with a passionate performance of Anthony Hamilton's "Her Heart." A video package that played before the performance opens with Roberts casting a fishing line in his hometown. "This is where I was born and raised," Roberts says in a voice over. "Everything is not peaches and cream. There's a lot of crime and all that going on. Things are getting worse. People are scared to even open up their mouth, because somebody's going to point a gun at them because they said the wrong thing. Some days you don't even want to come outside." Roberts goes on to say the city has a lot of potential. "It could be a whole lot better than what it is," Roberts says in the voice over. "So, I'm hoping that I can bring a little light to it." Roberts also said he hopes he can inspire his students. "I hope the kids sees me as an inspiration and learn to be themselves," he said. "With 'American Idol,' man, it's a dream. At one point in time, I never thought I was good enough. I'm hoping to shine a light and show people that if you keep pushing, keep doing the right thing, do good and good will always come back to you … God gave everybody a gift." More on Roberts' American Idol journey: Meridian man wins golden ticket, joins 'American Idol' season 23. See his audition round The judges and audience were visibly moved by Roberts' performance Monday night, giving the singer a standing ovation. When Roberts first auditioned, the three judges were impressed, but said Roberts could use some more confidence. Monday night, he showed them that extra confidence and then some. "Somewhere between the last time we heard you and now, God has anointed you with something so fantastic," Richie said after Roberts performed. "That was a brilliant performance." Roberts is one of more than 60 contestants moving forward on "American Idol" season 23. If you want to follow along with Roberts' journey, episodes air Sunday and Monday nights at 7 Central and on Hulu the following day. See inside: Germantown High School performing arts center opens, completes $44 million project Got a news tip? Contact Mary Boyte at mboyte@ This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Meridian native Jamal Roberts makes American Idol Top 24
