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Features

American Idol Winner Jamal Roberts’ Prize Money, Record-Breaking Votes, and Surprising Journey Explained

May 20, 2025

By Amy DeVore

Jamal Roberts American Idol winner — Photo Credit: Stewart Cook/Disney via Getty Images

Jamal Roberts is the winner of American Idol Season 23. From his first audition to his emotion-stirring finale song, Heal, Jamal delivered consistent, powerful performances, which his judges all clocked.

Jamal is only the second Black man to win this title, following Ruben Studdard in 2003. This historic win also arrived with record-breaking votes, bringing multiple…

Amy is a former teacher who used reality television as a form of escapism during her decade spent in the classroom. In addition to education, she also studied and performed long-form improvisation while mastering the art of comedic sketch writing via the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in NYC. Amy has interviewed reality television stars from the Real Housewives and Below Deck franchises, as well as each of the winners from E!'s OMG Fashun.