Jamal Roberts has become the newest winner of American Idol, defeating John Foster and Breanna Nix in the season 23 finale. According to Ryan Seacrest, Roberts received the most votes in history for a finale win.
Roberts, a gym teacher from Mississippi, first caught the judges’ attention with his audition performance of “Mary Jane” by Rick James. Judges praised him for his soulful voice and ability to tell a story through his singing.
In an interview before the finale, Luke Bryan stated that Roberts had a strong chance of winning due to his consistent performances throughout the season. After the semi-finals, Bryan predicted that Roberts would be in the lead, citing his ability to stay focused and adapt to the music industry’s demands.
Roberts’ win was not without criticism from the judges, who suggested that he needed to loosen up and add some swagger to his performances. However, in the end, all three judges gave him a “yes,” marking the beginning of his new career as an American Idol winner.
The show will return for season 24 on ABC, with Roberts looking forward to taking on new challenges and opportunities in the music industry.
Source: https://people.com/jamal-roberts-wins-american-idol-season-23-11736278