Jamal Roberts became the latest Mississippian to make his mark on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, taking the stage on Sunday night and doing well enough to be voted into the top 12 of American Idol season 23.
Roberts, a Meridian native who may have a way to go before being inducted into the Rock Hall, took a step in the right direction with his rendition of “Shout, Pts. 1 & 2” as part of the ABC show’s “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Night.” Lionel Richie, one of the show’s judges and a 2022 inductee, said the 27-year-old sang the hit just like fellow inductee The Isley Brothers used to.
“You don’t even understand. I saw you when I was a little boy in ’77. I saw you (when watching The Isley Brothers), because that was so pro,” Richie said. “It was so professional. Man, you are so good. So good.”
The performance from Roberts had the audience “shouting” as the aspiring star strutted around the stage with the microphone stand in hand. Just as The Isley Brothers would do, he gave the audience a chance to sing along while not taking away from his own vocals.
“Obviously, everybody in the room loved it,” judge Carrie Underwood said, smiling. “Perfect song choice. I feel like with anyone else, that could have come off as some wedding or karaoke thing. Not with you, sir. That was amazing.”
Roberts’ latest performance was also a homecoming of sorts. It was the first time in over a month of Idol live rounds spanning from Los Angeles to Hawaii that his two daughters had seen their father.
“I’ve got two beautiful daughters, Harmoni and Lyrik, and this will be the first time they’ve been able to come to the show,” Roberts said beforehand. “Being away from my daughters this long is definitely hard, but now, they’re coming and I’m excited.”
Afterward, host Ryan Seacrest escorted Harmoni and Lyrik to the stage, and Roberts was all smiles as he welcomed them with a big hug. By the end of the episode, the smiles and hugs were even bigger as over 19 million voters helped send Roberts into the top 12.
Who’s in the ‘American Idol’ top 12?
America had to make some tough choices on Sunday night. Choosing to part ways with Desmond Roberts and Amanda Barise, the top 12 were revealed in no specific order:
- Canaan James Hill
- Gabby Samone
- Mattie Pruett
- Thunderstorm Artis
- Slater Nalley
- Breanna Nix
- John Foster
- Filo
- Kolbi Jordan
- Josh King
- Jamal Roberts
- Che Chesterman
When does ‘American Idol’ return?
Fans don’t have to wait long. American Idol returns for its “Iconic Idol Moments” episode on Monday, April 28. The episode will showcase the top 12 trying to relive (and put their own twist on) the best performances over the show’s 23-year history. Fantasia Barrino, who had her iconic moment with “Summertime” in 2003, will serve as an artist-in-residence while Jelly Roll is expected to be back in the audience.
Idol airs Sunday and Monday nights at 8/7c on ABC with next-day streaming available on Hulu. Season 23 runs until Sunday, May 18.
