Jamal Roberts’ American Idol journey began with boldness, soul—and a little Rick James.
From his very first audition, Jamal captured the judges’ attention with a fiery, passionate take on “Mary Jane.” The 27-year-old P.E. teacher and devoted father of three brought such charisma to the stage that Lionel Richie couldn’t help but dance in his seat. After Jamal’s final note, Lionel leaned in with a smile and said:
“Man, you’ve got some stuff in there—and by the end, you were letting it come out. You’ve got the voice, and you know how to tell a story. That’s priceless.”
All three judges—Lionel, Luke Bryan, and Carrie Underwood—sent him straight to Hollywood with a Golden Ticket.
What made the moment even sweeter? Jamal had auditioned twice before and didn’t make it. But this time, everything changed.
A Voice That Grew Stronger Week by Week
As the competition heated up, Jamal continued to prove himself with one powerhouse performance after another. He brought the crowd to their feet with everything from Carrie Underwood’s “Undo It” to “Go the Distance” from Hercules. But one song in particular became a defining moment for him: Jelly Roll’s emotional anthem “Liar.”
When Jamal first performed “Liar” during the Top 24 round in Hawaii, he sang it right in front of Jelly Roll himself—who had tears in his eyes by the end. That heartfelt performance cemented Jamal as a fan favorite and earned him a place in the Top 5.
From Top 5 to Top 3 — And a Full-Circle Finale
By the time the May 12 Disney Night episode aired, Jamal had America hooked. His soulful renditions of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “Beauty and the Beast” helped him clinch a spot in the Top 3 alongside Breanna Nix and John Foster.
Then came the grand finale on May 18—and with it, the moment Jamal’s Idol story came full circle.
Sharing the stage with Jelly Roll himself, Jamal performed an unforgettable duet. They opened with a moving snippet of “Unpretty” before launching into a soaring version of “Liar”—the very song that first bonded them. For fans who had followed Jamal from day one, it was the perfect full-circle moment.
A Star Is Born
Whether it was his gritty vocals, emotional depth, or sheer perseverance, Jamal Roberts proved time and again that he’s more than just a contestant—he’s a true artist. And sharing the stage with Jelly Roll in the finale? That was the icing on the cake.
Watch Jamal and Jelly Roll’s unforgettable duet below—and witness a moment that felt more like a passing of the torch than a performance.
Jamal didn’t just make it to the end. He made his mark. And something tells us this is only the beginning.
