Mississippi’s own Jamal Roberts received over a million votes during Monday night’s episode of American Idol to advance into the competition’s next round, but the bigger storyline may have been the news he revealed on air beforehand.
During a game of “Two Truths and a Lie,” Roberts gave the producers three options: He is a master flautist, he has a brand-new baby, and he can swim under the water but not on top of it. The two truths? Roberts is, in fact, a subaquatic swimmer, and he welcomed his third child into the world earlier in the day!
Roberts’ two older daughters, Harmoni and Lyrik, have played sporadic roles throughout season 23. From jumping with joy after Roberts earned a golden ticket during his audition to joining their father on stage during “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Night” a couple of episodes ago, the camera has shown the six and four-year-old cheering proudly as Roberts navigates the singing competition.
Now, Harmoni and Lyrik have a little sister to join Roberts’ biggest fan club. The 27-year-old from Meridian playfully informed fans that Gianna Grace Adams is the newest member of the family.
“I did have a beautiful baby girl. It was so personal to me that I did not share it right away, but I have a healthy, beautiful baby girl that was born today,” he said, smiling.
As part of Monday’s episode, which was the annual “Judge’s Song Contest,” Roberts was tasked with picking one of three songs selected by Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood. He ultimately went with Richie’s choice of “I Believe,” by Fantasia. When asked why, he brought the moment full circle, connecting it with his life as an elementary school teacher in Mississippi and as a father of three.
“Right now, where I stand in this competition, it’s love that has lifted me higher. It’s the love for my hometown and my kids,” he explained.
Roberts then took the stage, and by the end of the song, the waterworks were on full display as tears were welling up in not only his eyes but also those of Bryan, Richie, and guest artist Jelly Roll.
“Your execution of that song, you had me crying. You had everyone in this room crying,” Richie said as Bryan added, “I’m leaking oil, and I’ve got a flat tire. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen someone connect the heart to the head to the voice and the emotion like you’re able to do it. You were able to drum up a sound and a feeling that just made tears well up in our eyes.”
The emotional performance was plenty enough to ensure Roberts’ run stayed alive. He was one of the first contestants announced to be moving on via fan vote in the competition, alongside Breanna Nix, John Foster, Gabby Samone, Thunderstorm Artis, and Slater Nalley. The judges then chose to save Mattie Pruett over Josh King, rounding out the top seven.
Before leaving the stage on Monday night, host Ryan Seacrest asked Roberts what he wanted to say to his newborn child, something he could play back to her when she’s old enough to understand. His answer was just as powerful as the performance: “Daddy will always be there for you. Always.”
You can follow the rest of Roberts’ journey on American Idol by tuning in to ABC on Sunday, May 11, and Monday, May 12, at 8/7c for “Double Disney Night.” The season 23 finale will then air on Sunday, May 18.
