Jamal Roberts delivered one of his most powerful performances yet with “First Time” by Teeks — and it wasn’t just the vocals that struck a chord. The song, personally chosen by mentor Jelly Roll, was a meaningful throwback to the viral TikTok moment that first put Jamal on everyone’s radar. Dressed in a sharp white suit and beaming with calm confidence, Jamal made his way through the crowd, his rich, soulful voice creating an instant connection with fans.
The judges didn’t hesitate to leap to their feet. Lionel Richie looked genuinely emotional as he praised Jamal for “stepping fully into your groove” and “owning the moment.” Carrie Underwood lit up, telling him, “You’ve got it all — a voice that stirs the soul, a heart full of light, and stage presence that keeps leveling up.” Luke Bryan gave a big thumbs up to Jamal’s storytelling, calling it “next-level — truly world-class.”
Backstage, Jelly Roll was overcome with emotion. He told Ryan Seacrest the performance felt like everything coming full circle. “Watching Jamal sing that song live hit me hard,” he said. “People are finally seeing what I saw from day one — he’s not just a singer; he’s a force with a story that matters.”
With voting still open and the third-place reveal looming, Jamal’s supporters were fired up and ready to keep him in the race. And as the first half of the finale wrapped up, the energy in the studio was electric — with Jamal Roberts right at the heart of it.
