Smooth. Soulful. Show-stopping. Jamal Roberts, 26, a P.E. teacher from Crestwood Elementary in Meridian, Mississippi, just flipped American Idol on its head with his jaw-dropping rendition of Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey.” With velvet vocals and effortless swagger, Jamal didn’t just sing—he commanded the stage like a born star. The judges were stunned, the crowd on fire, and social media is already buzzing: “The next country king has arrived.” What makes it even sweeter? This country-soul sensation came from a small-town gym class to the nation’s biggest spotlight—ushering in a new era of heart, grit, and golden pipes.

“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.”

Introduction

Jamal Roberts, 26, a physical education teacher at Crestwood Elementary School in Meridian, Mississippi, made a big impression on American Idol season 23. During his audition, he performed Rick James’ “Mary Jane,” earning rave reviews from the judges. Lionel Richie commented, “You have the voice and you know how to tell a story.” Luke Bryan praised Jamal’s sincerity, while Carrie Underwood urged him to be more confident on stage. ​

During Hollywood Week, Jamal continued to wow the audience and judges with his performance of Anthony Hamilton’s “Her Heart.” Lionel Richie commented, “Somewhere between the last time we heard you and now, God gave you something amazing.” ​
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More recently, during the Showstopper round, Jamal performed Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey,” a departure from his previous style. This performance landed him in the Top 24 of the competition. ​

To follow Jamal’s journey on American Idol, you can watch his performance here:

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