Jamal Roberts ‘Still Trying to Process’ His ‘American Idol’ Win
The country has spoken. On Sunday, singing competition show American Idol crowned a new winner. Jamal Roberts, a 27-year-old crooner from Meridian, Mississippi, beat out fellow finalists John Foster and Breanna Nix to take home this season’s top prize.
It was a tough contest. After Nix was eliminated midway through the grand finale episode, the competition was down to Roberts and Foster, an 18-year-old from Addis, Louisiana. Foster moved the audience with a performance of his original song “Tell That Angel I Love Her,” while Roberts wowed with a powerful performance of his new single “Heal.” Roberts ultimately triumphed in the final round, which generated more votes than any other finale in American Idol history, according to host Ryan Seacrest.
Jamal Roberts reacts to his ‘American Idol’ Season 23 win
Roberts is still pinching himself after his big win on live TV.
“I’m still trying to process this… God is so good,” he wrote in a post-finale Instagram post.
“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,” he continued. “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, a PE teacher and dad of three, also gave a shout-out to his daughters, saying that he hoped “my girls see this and know that with faith, hard work, and heart, anything is possible.”
“To my city, my family, and everyone out there grinding for something greater, this is our victory,” Roberts added. “Now, I get to make music with the best in the world and share my story. But this isn’t the end… it’s just the beginning. From the bottom of my heart…. THANK YOU! None of this happens without y’all.”
‘American Idol’ 2025 winner recently welcomed a daughter
Winning American Idol is a massive career achievement. But it might not be the most exciting thing to happen to Roberts in recent days. Shortly before the season 23 finale, the singer shared that he’d recently become a dad to a third little girl.
“Hey world, meet my little ladybug, Gianna Grace Roberts. I’m so proud to be her father,” he shared on Instagram on May 16, along with a photo of his new baby in a ladybug onesie and headband.
“I’m going to see my daughter, Gianna,” Roberts told USA Today after the finale. “I’ve got a lot of making up to do.”
In addition to Gianna, who was born a little over a week ago, Roberts also has daughters Harmoni and Lyriq, who were in the audience for their dad’s big American Idol win.
The American Idol Season 23 finale is now streaming on Hulu.
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