Jamal Roberts (born November 6, 1997) was a contestant on Season 23 of American Idol.
Audition[]
Jamal auditioned in New York. He sang "Mary Jane" by Rick James. All three judges voted "yes", sending him to the next round.
Hollywood Round[]
Jamal was shown in the first part of Hollywood Week, singing "Her Heart" by Anthony Hamilton in the Idol Arena. He was later placed in the same holding room as Isaiah Misailegalu, Slater Nalley, Amanda Barise, Thunderstorm Artis, Breanna Nix, MKY, Sonny Tennet, Gabby Samone, Ché, Lashon and JMarie among others, where it was revealed that they did enough to advance to the Showstoppers. At the Showstoppers round, she sang "Tennessee Whiskey" by Chris Stapleton. It was revealed he did enough to advance to the Head to Heads. In the Head to Heads round, he was paired with Desmond Roberts and they sang "The Door" by Teddy Swims. It was revealed they did enough to make it to the Top 24.
Top 24[]
Jamal was shown in the first group of semifinalists, and sang "Liar" by Jelly Roll. He received enough votes to be considered "safe" for another week.
Top 20[]
Jamal sang "Forever" by Jason Nelson. He received enough votes to become a Top 14 finalist. To celebrate, he sang "Try a Little Tenderness" by Otis Redding.
Top 14[]
Jamal sang "Shout, Pts. 1 & 2" by The Isley Brothers. He received enough votes to be considered "safe".
Top 12[]
Jamal sang "Heal" by Tom Odell. He received enough votes to be considered "safe".
Top 10[]
Jamal sang "Undo It" by Carrie Underwood. He received enough votes to be considered "safe".
Top 8[]
Jamal sang "I Believe" by Fantasia, as chosen by Lionel Richie. He also sang Richie's "Dancing on the Ceiling" in a trio, along with Gabby Samone, and Josh King. Jamal received enough votes to be considered "safe".
Top 7[]
Jamal sang "Go the Distance" by Roger Bart from Hercules; and "A Change Is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke. He received enough votes to be considered "safe".
Top 5[]
Jamal sang "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell from Remember the Titans; and "Beauty and the Beast" Angela Lansbury from Beauty and the Beast. He received enough votes to be considered "safe".
Season 23 Finale[]
Jamal sang "First Time" by TEEKS; "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" by The Temptations; and his coronation single, "Heal". He received more votes than John Foster and Breanna Nix, making him the American Idol.
Trivia[]
- Jamal is the first male African-American American Idol since Ruben Studdard, as well as the first African-American winner since Just Sam.
- Jamal appeared on the ninth season of Sunday Best on the BET network.