On Jul 30, 2025,American Idolseason 23 winnerJamal Roberts released a brand-new single, “Mississippi,” which he co-wrote. During theAmerican Idolseason 23 finale,Jamal, a 27-year-old physical education teacher from Meridian, Mississippi, won, with John Foster placing second, and Breanna Nix coming in third. Jamal had previously competed in the BET gospel singing competition series,Sunday Best.
ThroughoutAmerican Idolseason 23,Jamal, who’s the father of three girls, stunned the audience with his sensational vocals and spectacular stage presence. After his audition with “Mary Jane” by Rick James, he received three votes of yes from judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan, and he earned his golden ticket to Hollywood.
During Hollywood Week, Jamal sang “Her Heart” by Anthony Hamilton (Idol Arena), “Tennessee Whiskey” by Chris Stapleton (Showstoppers), and “The Door” by Teddy Swims (Head-to-Head Round duet with Desmond Roberts).Jamal then advanced to the Top 24.
DuringAmerican Idolseason 23,Jamal’s phenomenal performances included “Liar” by Jelly Roll (Top 24), “Forever” by Jason Nelson (Top 20), “Try a Little Tenderness” by Otis Redding (Top 20 Celebration Song), “Shout” by The Isley Brothers (Top 14), “Heal” by Tom Odell (Top 12), “Undo It” by Carrie Underwood (Top 10), and “I Believe” by Fantasia (Top 8).
Jamal also gave mesmerizing performancesof “Go the Distance” fromHerculesand “A Change Is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke (Top 7), “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell and “Beauty and the Beast” (Top 5), and “First Time by TEEKS, “Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)” by The Temptations, and “Heal” (Finale).
Since he wonAmerican Idolseason 23,Jamal has already achieved a lot of success.He released his first single, “Heal,” and it debuted at number one on theBillboardHot Gospel Songs chart, making him the firstAmerican Idolwinner to achieve this. In addition, Jamal will be heading out on tour with music superstars Brandy and Monica this fall.
In an interview withScreenRant,Jamal discussed what “Mississippi” means to him, his musical influences, how he feels about touring with Brandy and Monica, and hisAmerican Idolexperience.
Jamal Roberts' New Single “Mississippi” Means So Much To Him
ScreenRant: Congratulations on winning American Idol and all the success you’ve had since. Your new single, “Mississippi,” is coming out. Tell me all about it.
Jamal Roberts: “Mississippi” … I mean, the name itself goes to show why I came up with the song and why it means so much to me. Mississippi, especially during Idol, when I was away for so long, such a long time, I guess I was just homesick. You know, there’s no place on this world, on this planet, that makes me feel like Mississippi does. It’s just calm and easy. It’s just, it’s peaceful. It’s just my peace. It’s where my kids are, it’s where I grew up and learned how to be a man, in Mississippi. So a lot of life lessons there, a lot of losses that I always remember. It’s a lot. It’s a lot.
ScreenRant: That’s really beautiful. And I’m sure it’s going to come through in the song. Growing up in Mississippi, what role did music play in your life?
Jamal: Music was everywhere. Cookouts, revivals, church services, highway rides. I mean, music would just involve even cleaning up at the house. I mean, you just had to have music while doing things like this. The simple things. So music has always played a major role in my life, and it was just heard, just 24/7. Really. When you think about it. And when I wasn’t listening to it, I was singing it. So, there you go.
ScreenRant: Who are your musical influences?
Jamal: I have a lot. I like Al Green and Jamie Foxx and Charlie Wilson and The Isley Brothers. People like that that had a distinctive sound that could be recognized anytime they play. Otis Redding. David Ruffin, definitely. And a lot of current artists, but some of the old heads, the old school legends, those would be some of the heavy hitters.
ScreenRant: Which current artists do you feel influenced you?
Jamal: With my song choices and the way I’m painting a picture, it would be Anthony Hamilton. Anthony Hamilton has been one of my main influences thus far. But those side notes, you know, people like Tyrese and Tank. I like Tank’s music styles. A lot of gospel artists as well that I piggyback off of from time to time.
Jamal’s First Single “Heal” Was A Great Success
Jamal Wanted To Bring Gospel To American Idol
ScreenRant: Speaking of gospel music, your first single, “Heal,” debuted at number one on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart. You were the first American Idol to ever do that. So what did that mean to you?
Jamal: Wow, I didn’t know that, actually. That I was the first American Idol to do that. That felt amazing. And it moved me differently because I tried that approach through the gospel competition, [Sunday Best], and I didn’t seem to get it through. The message didn’t seem to get across. But then I come over here to a bigger platform, which was American Idol, which was all genres. And somehow my gospel charted to #1 on the gospel side. And it’s strange, but, you know, God does stuff like that all the time. So you understand who’s doing it, you know. So I understand.
Jamal Is Excited To Be Touring With Brandy & Monica
The Tour Is A Dream Come True For Jamal
ScreenRant: You’ll be touring with Brandy and Monica this fall. How have you been preparing for that? That’s really exciting.
Jamal: I’m still excited. This is like a dream come true. Like, everybody’s been waiting on Brandy and Monica to go back on tour anyway. And I’m a ‘90s baby. I grew up in the ‘90s, and we grew up listening to ’90s music. But man, Brandy and Monica back together again, and then I get to be on the stage with them? I’m mentally prepared already. I know it’s a tour. I know it’s going to get draining, but the excitement definitely overpowers the drainage at all at all times, so I’m excited about it.
Jamal Was In Disbelief When He Won American Idol
Jamal Still Keeps In Touch With Some Of His Fellow American Idol Contestants
ScreenRant: Let’s talk a little bit about American Idol. How did you feel when Ryan Seacrest announced your name as the winner?
Jamal: Like I told everybody in all the other interviews, I didn’t believe it. I was waiting. I mentioned that, in that space, I was just actually congratulating myself on the job well done thus far after being told no so many times. And to be able to get to this point on this stage, I had already congratulated myself, patted myself on the back like, “You did good, man. You did your best.” And then, out of the blue, I had heard screaming, and I’d seen my family jumping up, falling over down and I was like, “They called my name,” and John [Foster] is over there, he’s like, “Yeah, man, you did it.” And you know, I was just like, “I did it.”
And I was still in shock, like, even when I sang the next song I was just like, “I did not just win American Idol.” So yeah, it was an amazing feeling. Ryan took forever to call that name. I don’t know why he does that. He took forever. But I’m so excited that America chose me and granted me this opportunity to be the American Idol. And this is where the real work starts. So I’m still working. I’m still grinding. Still trying to heal through music.
ScreenRant: It was such an exciting moment. My whole family voted for you. My mom, my 10-year-old niece, and I were all screaming, and it was the longest wait to get to hear your name. But we were so happy when it was you. Which one of your performances was your favorite throughout American Idol?
Jamal: Oh, man, that’s tough. That’s tough. Right there, that is tough.
ScreenRant: I know you had so many amazing ones.
Jamal: I really connected with the words on a lot of these songs. “Liar.” “Her Heart.” Even “Tennessee Whiskey.” I mean, I was working with some great mentors with musical abilities. My vocal coaches … they were amazing. They didn’t tell me what to do. They let me bring what I had to the table, and maybe we’ll edge it up. Edge it up a little bit. But, man. I had some great help that allowed me to become an artist and let me shine through without trying to persuade me to do this and do this.
But my favorite song? I like Jelly Roll. I loved the Jelly Roll one. It was exciting. It was in Hawaii. Why not? But then coming back, I love that Otis Redding I did, the way we arranged it. Then, at the end, I’m loving “First Time.” I always loved that song. But “First Time” just took me. Jesus, I can’t pick. I don’t know. I just enjoy it all. Like I enjoyed my American Idol experience.
ScreenRant: You could really tell. It really did come through that you were just alive on stage. It was magical every time you performed.
Jamal: Every time. But then you go to the Disney. And I was like, “Beauty and the Beast”? Like … I don’t know.
ScreenRant: Yes, that was a lot of Disney that week. But you did such a great job with it. So you gave it new life with your own style. Do you keep in touch with any of your fellow contestants or even the judges?
Jamal: Thank you. I appreciate it. I do. My vocal coach, Antonio. I still talk to Kolbi [Jordan]. They call me on the group all the time. Even when we’re on and off flights. And we’ll still link up when somebody has to perform and, you know, go support that one. But it’s me, Kolbi, Gabby [Simone], Canaan [Hill]. Who is that that still calls me? Slater [Nalley]. I miss Slater a lot. I talk to Slater a lot. But yeah, we’re still connected. A lot of people felt like it should have went a different way and have their opinions. But, hey, that’s just … that’s life. You know, people are gonna have their own opinions.
ScreenRant: How has your life changed since you won the show?
Jamal: It’s changed drastically. I can’t go out to the store anymore and buy things without having security present or something like that. But, other than that, I’ll just stay put up, work on my music, take care of my kids, and that’s about it.
American Idol
Cast
American Idol is a reality singing competition that adds to the international “Idol” brand, conceived initially in the U.K. as Pop Idol. Holding massive auditions across the U.S., American Idol invited several contestants to perform in front of a panel of judges that would determine whether or not they’d go on to future rounds for a chance at competing in the fully televised premiere of the show. Contestants are voted off each week by American participation via voting through various mediums, and the winner of the competition would be given a contract with a record label to secure a future as America’s next musical idol.
