By Hamza | Digital Nomad Diary | May 20, 2025
Jamal Roberts Wins American Idol Season 23
Roberts beat out finalists John Foster and Breanna Nix, with Breanna being eliminated midway through the finale. His emotional winner’s performance of Anthony Hamilton’s “Her Heart” earned a standing ovation as fellow Top 14 contestants celebrated his historic win.
Jamal becomes the first Black male winner since Ruben Studdard’s victory in 2003, marking a powerful return to form for diverse voices on the Idol stage.
Star-Studded Finale Performances
The live finale was packed with show-stopping collaborations. Jamal joined Jelly Roll, the season’s “artist in residence,” for a crowd-pleasing duet. Meanwhile, John Foster teamed up with judge Luke Bryan, and Breanna Nix delivered a stunning performance alongside Brandon Lake.
Guest appearances from Salt-N-Pepa, Jessica Simpson, and Good Charlotte kept fans on their feet throughout the night.
From Nervous Auditions to Superstar
Jamal’s journey wasn’t easy. During auditions, Carrie Underwood urged him to “loosen up” and show more “swagger.” Despite early doubts, Jamal’s performances grew stronger each week — from his energetic version of “Shout, Pts. 1 & 2” by the Isley Brothers to his emotional take on “Liar” by Jelly Roll, which even moved the original artist.
Judge Lionel Richie repeatedly praised Jamal’s “divinely guided” voice, cementing his place as a fan favorite.
What’s Next for Jamal Roberts?
Now a national star, Jamal is looking forward to heading home to Meridian, Mississippi — and to finally seeing his newborn daughter Gianna, just nine days old.
“I wasn’t teaching for the money,” Jamal told reporters after the finale. “It was always about the kids. They’re my inspiration. I’ll still try to show up and be part of their lives when I can.”
Judges React to the Big Moment
Even the judges were feeling the nerves. Richie joked that he “almost died” waiting for Ryan Seacrest to reveal the winner. Underwood said the suspense brought her back to her own crowning moment 20 years ago.
“There’s no number two,” Richie added, praising John Foster for his equally strong performances. “They both stood tall and owned their lanes.”
Looking Ahead: Will the Judges Return in 2026?
American Idol has already been renewed for a 2026 season, but it’s unclear if this year’s panel — Underwood, Bryan, and Richie — will return. Discussions are still underway, though all three expressed gratitude and excitement about their experiences.
Executive Producer Megan Michaels Wolflick revealed that casting for Season 24 began in April, with thousands of hopefuls already submitting auditions.
Recap of American Idol Season 23
This season launched with auditions in Nashville, New York, and Los Angeles, leading to a pool of 144 contestants during Hollywood Week. From there, judges selected the Top 24, and America voted weekly to narrow it down.
The final five contestants included Jamal Roberts, John Foster, Breanna Nix, Slater Nalley, and Thunderstorm Artis.
Greetings from Uganda!
I’m Twesige Selegio, Director of Wilma Fox Child Development Centre, a sanctuary for vulnerable children in Uganda. Our centre provides essential services to orphans and disadvantaged children, empowering them with the tools and resources necessary to thrive.
Our Mission:
We nurture the physical, emotional, and educational development of our children, enabling them to become confident, capable, and compassionate individuals. Every child deserves a chance to reach their full potential, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Sponsorship Opportunity:
We’re reaching out to request sponsorship for a child at just $10/month. Your contribution will directly impact their life, providing:
1. Education and personal development
2. Healthcare and nutrition
3. A safe and nurturing environment
Make a Difference:
Your monthly gift of $10 will be a beacon of hope for a child in need. To learn more about our centre and the impact of your donation, please visit our website or contact me directly.
Donate Now
You can support us through GlobalGiving: https://www.globalgiving.org/donate/104179/wilma-fox-child-development-centre/
Get in Touch:
WhatsApp: +256785521916
Together, we can make a difference in a child’s life. Thank you for considering this request!
Sincerely,
Twesige Selegio
Director, Wilma Fox Child Development Centre
It’s truly inspiring to see Jamal’s dedication to his students and his excitement about returning home to his newborn daughter. His passion for teaching shines through, and it’s clear that he genuinely cares about the kids he works with. Richie’s acknowledgment of John Foster’s talent also highlights the importance of recognizing and celebrating others’ strengths. Twesige Selegio’s work in Uganda is equally commendable, as providing a safe haven for vulnerable children is a noble cause. It’s heartwarming to see people from different parts of the world making such a positive impact. How can we, as individuals, contribute to initiatives like the Wilma Fox Child Development Centre? What specific support do they need to continue their incredible work?
This is such an inspiring story! Jamal’s dedication to the kids is truly heartwarming, and it’s amazing how he prioritizes their well-being over fame or money. Richie’s acknowledgment of John Foster’s talent also shows great sportsmanship and respect. Twesige Selegio’s work in Uganda is equally commendable—providing a sanctuary for vulnerable children is a noble cause. It’s incredible to see people from different parts of the world making such a positive impact. How can we, as individuals, contribute to initiatives like the Wilma Fox Child Development Centre? Do you think Jamal’s story could inspire more people to focus on community and mentorship? Let’s keep the conversation going—what’s your take on the power of such stories to drive change?
This is such an inspiring story! Jamal’s dedication to the kids is truly heartwarming, and it’s amazing how he prioritizes their well-being over everything else. Richie’s acknowledgment of John Foster’s performance also shows great sportsmanship and respect. Twesige Selegio’s work in Uganda is equally commendable—providing a sanctuary for vulnerable children is a noble cause. It’s incredible how people from different parts of the world are making such a positive impact. I wonder how Jamal plans to balance his newfound fame with his commitment to the kids? Also, Twesige, how can someone from another country contribute to the Wilma Fox Child Development Centre? This story really makes me think about how small actions can lead to big changes. What do you think is the most important takeaway from these stories?
It’s truly inspiring to see Jamal’s dedication to his students and his family. His humility and focus on the kids rather than the fame is something we need more of in this world. Richie’s acknowledgment of John Foster’s talent also shows great sportsmanship. Twesige’s work in Uganda is equally commendable—providing a sanctuary for vulnerable children is a noble cause. I wonder how we can support initiatives like the Wilma Fox Child Development Centre more effectively. Do you think Jamal’s story could inspire others to give back to their communities in similar ways? What’s the best way to get involved with such impactful projects?
It’s truly inspiring to see individuals like Jamal and John Foster dedicating their lives to making a difference, whether through education or performance. Twesige’s work in Uganda is equally commendable, providing hope and support to vulnerable children. It’s heartwarming to know there are people out there who prioritize the well-being of others over personal gain. How do you manage to keep such a positive outlook while dealing with such challenges? I’d love to hear more about the specific ways the Wilma Fox Child Development Centre empowers these children. Do you think more global collaboration could amplify your impact? Let’s keep the conversation going and find ways to support these incredible efforts.
It’s inspiring to hear Jamal’s dedication to the kids and his humble attitude despite his newfound fame. His focus on being part of their lives even after the spotlight shows his genuine care. Richie’s acknowledgment of John Foster’s talent adds a nice touch of respect and camaraderie. Twesige Selegio’s work in Uganda is equally commendable, providing hope and support to vulnerable children. It’s heartwarming to see individuals from different parts of the world making such a positive impact. How can others contribute to initiatives like the Wilma Fox Child Development Centre? What specific resources or support are most needed right now? This kind of effort truly makes a difference in shaping brighter futures.
Jamal’s dedication to his students is truly inspiring. It’s rare to see someone so committed to making a difference in children’s lives, even after achieving fame. His humility and focus on what truly matters are commendable. Twesige’s work in Uganda is equally remarkable, providing hope and support to vulnerable children. It’s heartwarming to see such efforts to empower the next generation. How can we, as a global community, better support initiatives like Wilma Fox Child Development Centre? What steps can we take to ensure these children have the opportunities they deserve?
We’ve integrated libersave into our regional voucher system. It’s amazing how easily it allows us to bring various providers together on one platform.
Jamal’s dedication to his students is truly inspiring. It’s rare to see someone so committed to making a difference in children’s lives, even after achieving fame. His focus on the kids rather than the money speaks volumes about his character. Richie’s acknowledgment of John Foster’s performance shows great sportsmanship and respect. Twesige’s work in Uganda is equally commendable, providing hope and support to vulnerable children. How do you think we can support initiatives like Wilma Fox Child Development Centre to create a bigger impact?
We’ve integrated libersave into our regional voucher system. It’s amazing how easily it brings together various providers on one platform.