He Won American Idol—Then Disappeared. Where Is Jamal Roberts Now?
After winning Season 23 of American Idol on May 18, Jamal Roberts is doing anything but disappearing.
The 27-year-old Mississippi native beat out runner-up John Foster and third-place finalist Breanna Nix to take the title—along with a $250,000 cash prize and a recording contract. Since then, he's moved fast, landing a No. 1 single, a BET Awards performance, and a spot on one of the biggest R&B tours of the year.
Debut Single Hits No. 1 on iTunes
Roberts closed out the Idol finale with his debut single, a cover of Tom Odell's "Heal," putting his own spin on the emotional ballad. The track hit No. 1 on iTunes almost immediately.
He's since shared updates from the studio in Nashville, working on his first album. One Instagram post showed him alongside songwriter Christian Stalnecker (credits include T-Pain, Kane Brown, Rick Ross), with the caption: "Great time in the studio with these talented guys!! Cooking up something great"
From Mississippi to the BET Awards Stage
In June, Roberts performed at the 2025 BET Awards, sharing the stage with Kirk Franklin, Tamar Braxton, and Muni Long. It marked a full-circle moment for Roberts, who was previously a finalist on BET's Sunday Best, a gospel music competition.
Opening for Brandy and Monica on Nationwide Tour
Roberts is now set to join Brandy and Monica on their upcoming "The Boy Is Mine" tour, named after their 1998 chart-topping hit. The tour begins October 16 in Cincinnati and runs through December, hitting 24 U.S. cities.
Amid the whirlwind, Roberts has been honest about the pressure. On June 25, he posted to Instagram Stories:
"Check in: How are you feeling mentally? I'll start it off. Sometimes it gets overwhelming. No judgment, just love. #nojudgementjustlove"
Fans flooded him with support. One wrote, "Take deep breaths. Don't try to please everyone… You have to do what's best for you."
Another added:
"Keep your feet on the ground… You have an incredible gift, share that gift with the world."
Jamal's debut album is still in the works, but fans can stream his single "Heal" now and revisit his Idol performances on Hulu. Tickets for the Brandy & Monica tour are also available now.
After 26 million votes and a life-changing win, Jamal Roberts isn't slowing down—he's just getting started.