Jamal Roberts becomes the first Black male American Idol winner since 2003 — here are 7 facts about the Mississippi PE teacher turned star.
Jamal Roberts, a 27-year-old PE teacher from Meridian, Mississippi, made history on May 18 as he was crowned the winner of Season 23 of American Idol. His emotional journey to the title culminated during the live finale, where he beat out fellow finalists John Foster and Brianna Nix in what host Ryan Seacrest called the “biggest finale vote in show history.”
As the three remaining contestants gave their final performances, Nix was the first to be eliminated based on viewer votes, leaving Roberts and Foster to compete for the win. Both sang original singles and teamed up for duets with judge Luke Bryan and country star Jelly Roll. Foster performed “Tell That Angel That I Love Her,” while Roberts sang a powerful version of “Heal” by Tom Odell, ultimately winning the $250,000 prize and a recording contract with Hollywood Records/19 Recordings.
Here are seven facts you need to know about the newest American Idol winner:
1. He’s a Mississippi native and full-time teacher.
Jamal Roberts lives in Meridian, Mississippi, and works as a physical education teacher. He balanced his role as an educator with his musical pursuits, impressing America with his heartfelt performances and down-to-earth personality.
2. Roberts made Idol history.
Roberts is the first Black man to win American Idol since Ruben Studdard took the title in Season 2 back in 2003. His historic win comes more than two decades later, making it a milestone moment for the show and for viewers who have followed its evolution.
3. His musical journey started in church.
Roberts began singing at the age of 2, growing up in a religious household steeped in music. Both of his grandfathers held leadership positions in the church—one a bishop, the other a deacon—which meant Roberts was at church constantly. There, he performed hymns and covered artists like The Temptations and Michael Jackson, eventually picking up the drums as well.
4. He wasn’t into choir or musicals—but always won.
Though he stayed away from choirs and never took part in musicals, Roberts says he won every talent show he entered. Despite not following traditional performance routes, he always found a way to stand out.
5. He auditioned twice before making it onto Idol.
Persistence paid off for Roberts, who had auditioned for American Idol once before. His first attempt didn’t pan out—he was told he was too young and needed more vocal training. On his second try, he showed up with just one song prepared. When asked for another, he didn’t have one ready. Still, his resilience stood out. “I didn’t get defeated. I never gave up,” he told Billboard.
6. He’s a proud father of three.
Roberts has three daughters: Harmoni (6), Lyrik (4), and Gianna, who was born just two weeks before the American Idol finale. Harmoni and Lyrik have often appeared in the show’s audience, cheering on their dad with infectious enthusiasm. Though he hasn’t publicly revealed his relationship status or the name of his children’s mother, he told Billboard that fatherhood is “the best thing that ever happened” to him.
7. He competed on BET’s Sunday Best before Idol.
Before stepping onto the American Idol stage, Roberts was a finalist on BET’s gospel singing competition Sunday Best in 2020. He made it to the top three, showcasing his gospel roots and earning recognition in the faith-based music community.
Jamal Roberts‘ journey is a testament to persistence, purpose, and the power of authenticity. As he moves forward with his recording contract and new music, his story is already inspiring a new generation of singers to believe that dreams do come true—with or without a choir.
