Jamal Roberts, a 27-year-old physical education teacher from Meridian, Mississippi, was crowned the “American Idol” Season 23 winner on Sunday night, capturing America’s vote with his powerhouse vocals and gospel roots.
Roberts, who began singing in church as a toddler, told Billboard in April that he grew up surrounded by gospel music, hymns and soul.
The Season 23 finale featured high-profile collaborations between contestants and musical guests, including Salt-N-Pepa, Jessica Simpson, Good Charlotte and worship artist Brandon Lake.
From the early auditions to the season finale, faith was a recurring theme during “American Idol.”
Ahead of the Easter episode, Bryan told Billboard that Underwood has had “a little something to do with” the increased visibility of gospel and Christian music on the show.
Jamal Roberts, a 27-year-old Meridian, Mississippi, physical education teacher, won “American Idol” Season 23 on Sunday night. His powerful voice and gospel heritage won over America’s vote.
The biggest finale vote in the show’s history, according to host Ryan Seacrest, occurred during Roberts’ victory during a live finale that included last performances from the top three competitors: Roberts, John Foster, and Christian mother Breanna Nix.
Along with singing his original single “Heal,” Roberts also performed a duet with Jelly Roll and a cover of a Tom Odell song that was made available through Idol. He received a recording contract with Hollywood Records/19 Recordings and the coveted $250,000 cash prize for his performance.
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Foster came in second, and third place went to Nix, a Christian artist and mother of two from Texas who often gave thanks to God while running.
Roberts, who started singing in church when he was a toddler, told Billboard in April that gospel music, hymns, and soul were all around him growing up.
“I started singing in church and [covering] the Temptations and Michael Jackson after my grandparents discovered I could sing,” he said. Every time the door opened, I was at church because I had a grandpa on my mom’s side who was a deacon and a grandpa on my dad’s side who was a bishop. “.
Both times, Roberts tried out for “Idol”—once as a teenager after being told he needed more training, and again this season after returning with improved preparation.
“I didn’t get defeated,” Roberts declared. “I never gave up. I said no. I’ve always been able to accept helpful criticism, turn it into an opportunity, and try again. “.”.
Roberts placed in the top three of Sunday Best, a gospel competition show on BET, in 2020.
Family has always played a role in his life, just as music has. Lyrik, 4, Harmoni, 6, and Gianna, who was born two weeks prior to the finale, are Roberts’ three daughters. Lyrik and Harmoni were in the crowd on Sunday night, supporting their father as he won.
Roberts declared, “I’m going to see my daughter, Gianna,” following the conclusion. “I need to make a lot of amends. “..”.
Roberts stated that teaching will always be a part of who he is, even though he is now focusing on a career in music.
“I wasn’t primarily motivated by financial gain when I taught. He remarked, “It was really the kids, [who] are just my inspiration. “I intend to participate in events even if I am only able to return occasionally. “.
High-profile partnerships between competitors and musical guests, such as Salt-N-Pepa, Jessica Simpson, Good Charlotte, and worship artist Brandon Lake, were showcased in the Season 23 finale. Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Carrie Underwood served as judges and offered encouragement, but viewer votes alone determined the winner.
As Seacrest got ready to announce the winner, Richie, who had hailed Roberts as “divinely guided” throughout the season, admitted he could hardly bear the wait.
He joked, “I … nearly died.”. I’m overjoyed for Jamal. There’s also no no. Two men are present. They each stood side by side, represented their respective musical lane, and killed it. “,”.
Thinking back on her own victory almost two decades ago, Underwood said it brought her back to her roots.
When Ryan was examining the card and performing the pause motion, she remarked, “My heart was pounding.”.
With thousands of auditions already submitted and a new cast of aspiring artists in the works, executive producer Megan Michaels Wolflick confirmed that Season 24 is already underway.
Faith was a recurrent theme throughout “American Idol,” from the preliminary auditions to the season finale. “..”.
During the competition, Nix, a vocal Christian and stay-at-home mother from Denton, Texas, was forthright about her faith. “Jesus changes everything,” she boldly stated in her social media bio, and she frequently gave God the credit for her fortitude and success on the show.
My feelings of gratitude and emotion are overflowing. Nix wrote, “To God be all the glory,” after placing among the top three.
Despite finishing third in the end, viewers found her journey inspiring because of her bravery in the face of criticism.
During an episode, she stated, “There are a lot of opinions that come with being a Christian.”. However, I am here to use the gift that God has given me to exalt Him. “,”.
Faith was involved in the backstage activities as well. Christian performers Brandon Lake and CeCe Winans performed in the Easter special of the show. In the finale, Lake and Nix sang a stirring duet.
Roberts and other contestants received spiritual and artistic guidance from guest mentor Jelly Roll, who has been candid about his own spiritual journey.
Bryan told Billboard ahead of the Easter episode that Underwood has contributed “a little something to do with” the prominence of Christian and gospel music on the program.
She has never hidden her Christian faith or spirituality, and she has always expressed it through her music, which is a component of her artistic style. And it’s been something truly remarkable to watch the kids this year exhibit perhaps more of that than in previous years,” Bryan said. She probably asks herself, ‘Am I making a difference?’ but this year it was evident. “,”.
