If you go back and watch Jamal Roberts’ American Idol audition from months ago, he is admittedly timid. Not long before, he was performing with his eyes closed he was so nervous to face crowds of any size.
Fast forward to now, and you would never believe it. Roberts looks like a seasoned artist controlling the stage with every movement, interacting with the audience, and using strong vocal runs at exactly the right point in each song. One of the show’s judges, Lionel Richie, has consistently preached throughout season 23 that Roberts is “too young” to be singing like the elder R&B voices that brought the genre to the forefront for many.
“Man, I have grown these past few months more than I’ve grown in a year,” Roberts told SuperTalk Mississippi News going into Sunday’s episode, in which the 27-year-old from Meridian was voted into the top five. “I used to be one of those singers who would have my eyes closed the whole time. I just didn’t want to look out there. I would have my eyes closed so long and be so into the song that when I opened my eyes, I’d be turned the whole complete direction than when I started.
“It’s been amazing to watch the growth within myself to see how now I’m able to engage with the audience and, you know, not more putting on a show but doing the song justice really.”
Roberts, an elementary PE teacher and father of three, used two performances during the most recent episode to win enough of the fan vote to advance into the top five. In line with the “Disney Night” theme, he started the night with “Go the Distance” from the film, Hercules.
Broadway playwright and songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda, who helped each contestant prepare, was left speechless during Roberts’ rehearsal.
“Jamal has an R&B voice of the gods. It really is a remarkable gift, and he knows how to use it,” Miranda said. “It’s really beautiful.”
Later in the episode, which happened to fall on Mother’s Day, Roberts sang a song in honor of his stepmother, Tabitha, who passed away in 2020. Taking the stage with her favorite, Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come,” Roberts said the performance was a way to “keep her name and memories alive.”
Each of the three judges gave their stamps of approval before live voting was closed and the lights were dimmed.
“Jamal, you just proved why you are here in the top seven, and you proved why you should continue to be here,” Carrie Underwood said as Luke Bryan added, “Just how good you are is really humbling to me and amazing. I’m so happy you’re with us.”
“I have three words that I want the world to know right now: vote, vote, and vote,” Richie finished the feedback with.
America listened, too, as Roberts received a big enough chunk of over 20 million votes nationwide to be included in the final five singers. Those joining him were Slater Nalley, Breanna Nix, John Foster, and Thunderstorm Artis. Gabby Samone and Mattie Pruitt saw their Idol journeys come to a close.
The top five will return to the stage on Monday when a new episode airs on ABC at 8/7c. Only three will advance to the season finale set for Sunday, May 18.
