Did Jamal Roberts Win ‘American Idol’ 2025?

With every week of competition on season 23 of “American Idol,” 27-year-old physical education teacher Jamal Roberts has been blowing away judges Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie — as well as millions of fans nationwide. But was Roberts able to win the season 23 finale on May 18, 2025?

Spoiler Alert: If you do not want to know who won season 23 of “American Idol,” do not read any further.

Since Roberts’ audition aired in early March, the Meridian, Mississippi, native became a fan favorite with his glitzy, fitted suits and vocal prowess on everything from Disney tunes to R&B classics. So, did the dad of three girls become the next “American Idol?” YES! Jamal Roberts is the WINNER of “American Idol” season 23!

Jamal Roberts Attracted a Huge Following With His Soulful Songs Each Week on ‘American Idol’

By all accounts, from the fans to the judges, Roberts has a huge career ahead of him. Judge Luke Bryan told People before the finale, “My gut has told me Jamal has… (had) a lead all year.”

With every week of the competition, his fandom seemed to grow. By the time Roberts headed back to Meridian on May 14 for a hometown visit — a trip each contestant in the top 3 gets to make — he had thousands tuning in for his Facebook Live sessions, happy to watch even if he barely said anything.

“I have grown these past months faster than I’ve grown in a year,” he told SuperTalk Mississippi. “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 (just) putting on a show but doing the song justice really.”

Although Roberts works as a physical education teacher at Crestwood Elementary, he’s been working on his first love — music — for years, singing at weddings and events. In March, he told local TV station WTOK that he’s been singing since he was two-years-old, encouraged to do so by his grandparents.

“My grandparents always told me that I had a great voice,” he said. “They would always try to get me to sing different things, and they were like ‘Yeah, you got it.’ I first started singing The Temptations and they were like ‘Yeah, this is it. You can sing.’ And I’ve been singing ever since.”

Jamal Roberts Released ‘Heal’ as His ‘American Idol’ Single

Although it’s too soon to know exactly what Roberts has planned next, fans can download his brand new single “Heal,” released on the eve of the finale, as they wait for new music from the R&B singer.

Recorded and distributed with the show’s record label partner, 19 Recordings, the new song is Roberts’ powerful rendition of Tom Odell’s 2021 indie-pop tune. Roberts’ new version of “Heal” is a raw and soulful cry for help with the support of a gospel choir. The last minute of the three-and-a-half-minute single features his own lyrics, sung with fiery passion.

When Roberts performed the song on the April 28 show, his delivery — sitting on a stool at center stage — was so mesmerizing that the crowd, judges and even producers seemed stunned by its abrupt end. There were several seconds of complete silence before the show continued.