Another Mississippian is heading to Hollywood. 26-year-old Jamal Roberts is the latest Magnolia State singer to make it past the opening round of American Idol season 23.
Roberts’ audition aired during Sunday night’s episode as the Meridian native took to the stage with a rendition of “Mary Jane” by Rick James. The challenging song choice was welcomed by the judges, all of whom were pleased with Roberts’ vocals and flow.
Lionel Richie, also known for bringing a little soul to the microphone, was the first to weigh in on Roberts’ performance.
“You got some stuff in there, and by the end, you were letting it come out,” Richie said, providing a piece of advice. “Just relax. You’ve got the voice, and you know how to tell a story. It can be priceless.”
Luke Bryan added: “What I love about it is it was really, really like southern soulfulness. Was it perfect [or] was it flawless? No, but you’re not trying to sing it perfectly and flawlessly. You’re just singing it from the heart and that’s what I felt.”
Carrie Underwood, a former Idol winner in her first year as a judge, seconded Richie and Bryan while encouraging Roberts to find more of a stage presence before heading into Hollywood Week.
“I agree with everything they just said. You’ve got to loosen up. You need some swagger. You can’t walk around with that big ol’ voice and not have the rest of you being like, ‘Yeah!’ It might just be a confidence thing, but you’re so good. Just loosen up and let your body match your voice,” she said.
Even with the perceived lack of swagger, it wasn’t enough for the judges to turn away Roberts. Three quick yeses and the aspiring singer was told he would be advancing in the competition with a chance to become the next American Idol.
Who is Jamal Roberts?
Jamal Roberts is a native of Meridian, who currently works as a physical education teacher at Crestwood Elementary in his hometown. Roberts’ appearance on American Idol isn’t the first time the 26-year-old has been on TV screens nationwide. In 2021, he competed and made it to the top three on BET’s Sunday Best, a singing competition focused on the gospel genre.
Roberts is also the father of two daughters, Harmoni and Lyrik. At the end of his audition on Idol, his daughters run on stage and exclaim, “Daddy got the golden ticket!’
Is Jamal Roberts the only Mississippian competing?
Through three episodes of the current season, two Mississippians have advanced to Hollywood. During the season 23 premiere, Lillie Zitlaly Rhoden had fans buzzing with a metal rendition of Billy Idol’s “Rebel Yell.”
Like Roberts, Rhoden is a Meridian native. The city in east central Mississippi, known as the birthplace of country music great Jimmie Rodgers and the home of Peavy amplifiers, has produced a few notable contestants on competing singing show The Voice, including season 18 winner Todd Tilghman.
Mississippi, as a whole, has seen major success on American Idol. In recent seasons, those who have made a deep run include Jennifer Jeffries, Colin Stough, Zachariah Smith, Deshawn Goncalves, and Hannah Everhart (now Hannah Jewel). In 2016, Amory native Trent Harmon won the competition over McComb native La’Porsha Renae.
When does American Idol air?
The journeys of Roberts, Rhoden, and a long list of talented contestants can be tracked every Sunday at 8/7c on ABC. The show will move to twice a week later this month, airing Sunday and Monday nights.
