Mississippi’s Jamal Roberts is heading into the final round of American Idol, but beforehand, the cast and crew from the hit TV show will be joining the Meridian native in his hometown.
Host Ryan Seacrest announced Roberts as a top-three finalist going into Sunday’s season 23 finale during Monday night’s episode. The 27-year-old PE teacher and father of three will sing against Texas stay-at-home mom Breanna Nix and Louisiana teenage country singer John Foster for the title of this year’s American Idol.
Shortly after the top-three reveal, Meridian Mayor Larry Gill posted to social media that Roberts would be getting a hero’s welcome home party and parade on Wednesday. The parade in Roberts’ honor will line up at the Lauderdale County Courthouse at 4 p.m. before the route begins at 5:30 p.m. and ends at City Hall. Afterward, Roberts will take the stage for a mini concert at 7 p.m.
Before this week’s episodes of Idol, Roberts caught up with SuperTalk Mississippi News to discuss what his hometown means to him — and the support they’ve provided not only since live voting began but throughout his entire journey as a musician.
“Growing up in Meridian, the people who are there, I still know them. I’m able to walk outside and speak and congregate with people that I’ve been knowing for years,” Roberts said. “There’s no fame. It’s just Jamal. I don’t have to change or try to be somebody I’m not. They’re always here for me.”
During his run on Idol, Roberts has wowed the judges and fans with his R&B voice and the rare ability to cross over into different genres. If he wins the competition, he will be the first American Idol from Mississippi since Amory’s Trent Harmon in 2016. Last season, Starkville teenager Jennifer Jeffries made it into the top 20 before being eliminated. The season before, Monroe County natives Colin Stough and Zachariah Smith landed in the top five. Stough ended up finishing third, falling just short of winning it all.
Footage from Roberts’ hometown trip to Meridian will be included in the season 23 finale, which airs Sunday on ABC at 8/7c. A three-hour special, the episode will feature performances from the remaining contestants as well as a long list of those who have already reached stardom, including Jessica Simpson, Jelly Roll, and Salt-N-Pepa. Judges Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Carrie Underwood will also take the stage for a joint performance.
