With the American Idol Season 23 finale just hours away, finalist Jamal Roberts is giving fans something powerful to hold on to—his brand-new single, “Heal.”
Released late on May 17 through 19 Recordings, “Heal” marks the 27-year-old soul singer’s first official single since his journey on Idol began. But despite the late-night drop, fans were wide awake, rushing to stream, download, and share their reactions on social media—many calling it “the song the nation needs right now.”
Roberts first stunned audiences with his emotional performance of “Heal,” originally by Tom Odell, during the April 28 live show. The stripped-down, heartfelt cover left the judges—Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie—momentarily speechless. Now, he’s set to perform it again during the May 18 finale, and fans are already calling it a showstopper.
His new version takes things even deeper. Backed by a gospel choir, Roberts doesn’t just sing—he pours out a message of pain, hope, and healing. In the final minute of the track, he adds his own powerful lyrics:
“Lord, you’re the only one that can do it for me. We need you, we need you to heal… from depression, from suicidal thoughts, from sickness. Restoration right now.”
The song’s release sparked an outpouring of love online. One fan wrote, “The ending… CHURCH!!! You’re so special, Jamal! #RestorationRightNow.” Another called the track “Legendary,” while a third said, “This is the sound we all needed.”
Even Joe Arbagey, Executive VP of Music at 19 Recordings, commented on Instagram, calling the experience of working on the song “incredibly life changing.”
When Roberts first performed “Heal” on Idol, his stage presence was magnetic. Sitting alone on a stool, his delivery was so intense that the room fell completely silent—even producers seemed caught off guard when the performance ended. There were a few seconds of stunned quiet before the show moved on.
His moving take on the song was shaped with the help of his mentor that week, Idol alum and Grammy-winner Fantasia Barrino. Roberts admitted he had never heard of the song before it was shared with him—but when he read the lyrics, it immediately resonated.
“Like your songs, it spoke to me,” he told Fantasia. “I don’t care what genre the song is—I just need to insert myself into it.”
Fantasia, clearly touched by his emotional depth, told producers, “I watched him. He loses himself in the music. When the world is probably so ugly and hard, music is his safe place.”
Now, with “Heal” officially out in the world and one final Idol performance ahead, Jamal Roberts is showing that music isn’t just his safe place—it’s a space where others can find comfort too.
“Heal” is available now on all streaming platforms, including Apple Music and Spotify.
