Idol Winner Jamal Roberts Reflects On His Life Now
American Idol winner Jamal Roberts recently opened up in an interview to share how his life has changed since winning the show.
The singer hails from Meridian, Mississippi, where he was born and raised. Before going on Idol, he served as a P.E. teacher at Crestwood Elementary School in Meridian and performed regularly in his church community, an environment that deeply influenced his musical roots.
Jamal says since leaving the show, his life has taken a complete turn from what it once was.
“My life has changed drastically. I went home and thought I could do the same thing I was doing before I left and I found that to be a lie,” he said.
The singer explained that he has already done many amazing things following the finale just a few months ago.
“Right after the show, everybody wanted to hear [the coronation song] “Heal.” I was everywhere, traveling all over the world, and then I got a chance to sing on the BET Awards with Kirk Franklin and Tamar Braxton and Muni Long. That was a wonderful experience. I got to meet a lot of people I looked up to and for all of them to embrace me, it felt amazing.”
Jamal also discussed how life has changed now that he needs security when he goes out in public spaces.
“Typically, I can’t go to the store now and when I do step out, I have to have security and all the safety measures and it just gets overwhelming sometimes,” he shared.
The “Mississippi” singer said that he truly cherished his time on Idol, as it has prepared him in many ways for his new life.
“I understand now that Idol builds you and teaches you what it’s going to take to be on this national level. They prepare you to be the best you can be.”
Jamal Wins American Idol
On Sunday, May 18, American Idol named Jamal the winner of Season 23 during a special 3-hour finale.
The top three contestants were Breanna Nix, John Foster, and Jamal Roberts.
During the show, the finalists gave several memorable performances. They started the night with a group cover of Queen’s “We Are The Champions,” and later performed two solo songs each.
When the results came in, Breanna took third place, leaving Jamal and John as the final two. When host Ryan Secrest announced the winner, Jamal Roberts was officially crowned the new American Idol.
The father of three started his Idol journey when he earned a golden ticket by singing “Mary Jane” by Rick James at his audition.
The Mississippi native and physical education teacher won over hearts across the country throughout the season, and it was clear his life was forever changed.
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Jamal’s New Single, “Mississippi”
The Idol winner’s single, “Mississippi,” is a heartfelt tribute to his home state, but on a deeper level, the lyrics discuss longing for peace, warmth, and memories of home.
The inspiration for the song came from conversations during a flight and studio collaborations with songwriters Emile Ghantous, Daniel Capellaro, and Christian Stalnecker. Together they shaped the lyrics to reflect his feelings and experiences from Mississippi, focusing on what he missed and what brings him peace of mind.
“I wanted to paint a picture of what I miss and what I’ve come from and that what I do currently in Mississippi that gives me that ease and that peace of mind. And in the song, if you listen closely, you’ll hear how I feel,” Jamal said of the lyrics.
The singer said that while the song is an ode to his home state, it was written for anyone longing for something or someone.
“Even though I’m dedicating this to Mississippi, I know that anyone who has moved away is missing home or missing a loved one that left and you think about them all the time. My kids are in Mississippi and all my childhood memories, so when I’m singing “missing you In Mississippi,” I’m not just talking about one particular place. I’m talking about that peace, that moment, that memory. There’s a whole bunch of compassion in there,” he shared.