'American Idol' winner Jamal Roberts speaks out about judge Carrie Underwood
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Jamal Roberts on being 'American Idol' winner, going home to daughters
Jamal Roberts won "American Idol" Season 23, but he's about to get even busier after recently welcoming a baby girl.
"American Idol" winner Jamal Roberts is addressing the discourse surrounding his relationship with judge Carrie Underwood.
Roberts made the remarks when journalist Nate Vinson asked him about the "very strong narrative online" around Underwood's first season as a judge. "People who watch the show that felt like she really wasn't supportive of you like other judges or other people," Vinson said.
Roberts, 27, responded by saying that "Carrie is a country singer and she likes country music. I mean, I don't think she likes every genre for real. She had her picks, and she had her (choice) of who she really liked, and she stuck with it.
"We applaud her for sticking to her roots and sticking to who she liked, but I feel like the better person won," Roberts continued in the red carpet clip from a BET 45th anniversary dinner.
'American Idol' finale reveals 2025 winner: Is it Jamal, John or Breanna?
USA TODAY reached out to reps for "American Idol," Roberts and Underwood for comment.
Last month, the Mississippi gym teacher prevailed on the singing competition show over a pair of country singers, John Foster and Breanna Nix. The conversation surrounding Roberts and Underwood, the show's Season 4 winner in her own right, took place all season long.
At the BET 45th Anniversary Dinner, 'American Idol' winner Jamal Roberts responded to fans calling out judge Carrie Underwood for her lack of support for Roberts across the season.
'I don't think she likes every genre for real,' he shares. #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/Tz1CmWkUSS — reporting for duty. (@TheGreatIsNate) June 11, 2025
In his "Idol" audition, Underwood told Roberts that he needed to "loosen up" and find some "swagger." Despite the backlash she experienced for her perceived treatment of Roberts by some, the "Before He Cheats" hitmaker wished Roberts well after his May 18 win.
"Congratulations to the newest winner of @americanidol !!! I'm so proud of @officialjamalroberts and all he has accomplished this season and I can't wait to see what mountains he climbs next! He's going to do great things!" Underwood wrote in an Instagram caption.
Underwood also told USA TODAY she had some nerves around the winner announcement, reminiscent of her own moment she'd experienced two decades ago.
"My heart was pounding when Ryan was looking at the card and doing the pause thing," Underwood said. "There are a lot of moments that take me back to my time on the show."
Contributing: KiMi Robinson
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