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American Idol season 23 has now reached the last stage of the competition, with its final three contestants revealed during the May 12, 2025, episode. Titled Disney Night No. 2, this segment featured Breanna Nix, Jamal Roberts, and John Foster advancing to the last phase of the contest by eliminating Slater Nalley and Thunderstorm Artis.
In the episode, the singers continued performing Disney songs, each presenting two sets to secure the viewers' support and their votes. Among the hopefuls was 27-year-old P.E. teacher from Meridian, Mississippi, Jamal Roberts, who delivered two show-stopping performances for the American Idol panelists.
Disclaimer: This American Idol article is based on the writer's opinion. Readers' discretion is advised.
For his first set, he sang Ain't No Mountain High Enough from Remember the Titans, and in his second, he covered Beauty and the Beast from Beauty and the Beast. In my opinion, both of his acts were not just in sync with the theme of the night but also consistent in showcasing how versatile and capable Jamal was as an artist and a performer.
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However, one panelist felt otherwise. Carrie Underwood, while commenting on Jamal's rendition of Ain't No Mountain High Enough, said:
"I will say, with this song, I feel like you missed such an opportunity to like move around and like, entertain... We are getting close to the end here, and it is time to pull out all the stops, and we know you have that in you. So, like, pull us all in, not just with your voice but with everything else you got going on, like, put a 100% of yourself into it."
In my opinion, Carrie's critique of Jamal's performance sounded off because it was directed toward an artist who was undeniably one of the biggest performers of American Idol season 23.
Looking back at Jamal's track record, he has delivered some show-stopping performances on American Idol, dancing, grooving, and utilizing the stage to its full potential.
American Idol star Jamal Roberts has never failed to entertain
Ever since auditioning for American Idol, Jamal has maintained his reputation as a performer, not only as a vocalist but also as a well-rounded artist who understands the dynamics of stage presence and can captivate viewers.
His ability to perform is what sets him apart from the crowd, and each of his performances is unique. I believe this is a key quality that a winner of a music show must possess if they intend to build a career outside the competition. While good vocals are a must, I feel, a true artist must be able to perform.
By performing, I do not mean one must have background dancers or a giant setup on stage, but should be able to hold the crowd's attention with their presence and personality. In this regard, Jamal lived up to his reputation in the latest episode. Although he did not walk the length of the stage, he swayed to the rhythm of the song and matched the spirit of the music with his gestures and hand movements.
This is why I feel Carrie's judgment of the American Idol singer's act felt more odd than fair; not every act needed an artist to move from one corner of the stage to the other to "entertain." She also mentioned how she expected him to "pull out all the stops" and give his performances his best effort, implying he had not invested himself in his acts.
In my opinion, the judgment could not be more wrong. Jamal, out of all the other contestants on American Idol, especially the other two in the Top 3, was the only person with a diverse portfolio of performances. Throughout his stay on the show, he has proven that he can sing any song given to him. Lionel Richie echoed a similar sentiment in this week's episode, saying:
"You have the ability to Jamalerize everything. You could take Three Blind Mice and turn it into a soulful song."
From his ballad-like performance of Heal by Tom Odell to his dance number singing, Shout, Pts. 1 & 2 by The Isley Brothers, Jamal proved why he was worthy of his spot in the Top 3. Thus, urging the contestant to rework himself to "pull us all in" sounded off, especially since he had been doing that throughout the contest.
When compared to singers like John Foster, who consistently performed with a guitar in hand while standing in one place, Jamal stood out not only vocally but also as a performer with a knack for entertaining. To say that Jamal needed to put "a 100%" of himself into his acts was a disservice to everything he had given to the show, as it undermined his capabilities.
I believe Carrie's negative review at this stage of the competition, when Jamal had already proved his worth, sounded unfair. More so, because his performance of Ain't No Mountain High Enough was just as good, with Jamal swaying in place.
To say that she knew he had "that" in him implied that she expected Jamal to prove himself, which undermined everything he had presented to the panelists during the contest. I firmly believe that had Carrie been fair in her judgment, many others, especially John, would have been called out for their stagnancy and lack of stage presence.
American Idol season 23 can be streamed on Hulu.
