American Idol‘s Season 23 Top 24 are vying for America’s votes for the first time. Sunday night’s episode showed the first dozen hopefuls take the stage at Disney’s Alauni Resort in Hawaii. Mentored by Ashanti and Jelly Roll, the twelve sang for a live crowd, performing songs that they chose themselves.
Among those who performed Sunday was Mississippi school teacher and dad of two, Jamal Roberts. Roberts first wowed the judges with his audition performance of “Mary Jane.” After his audition, Lionel Richie praised his ability to tell a story. Luke Bryan agreed, saying that Jamal had a Southern soulfulness and was singing from his heart.
Those qualities came through in Roberts’ Hollywood Week performances. Viewers watched him deliver flawless Teddy Swims and Chris Stapleton covers, ultimately earning a place in the Top 24.
Jamal Roberts chose to bring his own twist to a Jelly Roll hit for his Top 24 performance.
Jamal took the stage to perform “Liar,” a song released by Jelly Roll in 2024 as a single from his album, Beautifully Broken. Jelly Roll debuted the song at the Grand Ole Opry and didn’t intend to release it as a single.
But after he performed it again at the ACM Awards a month later, fans embraced the song and encouraged him to release it. Three months later, it officially became a single.
“Liar” was co-written by Jelly Roll and calls out the voice, telling him he isn’t worth anything and trying to convince him to continue in his addictions. Jamal Roberts brought conviction and his own story to the performance.
Prior to his performance, Roberts told Jelly Roll and mentor Ashanti that he wants to show the “young fellas that you ain’t gotta have a gun. You ain’t got to sell drugs … Everybody can chase their dream and be a better person.”
Jelly Roll couldn’t hold back his tears as he listened to Jamal’s rehearsal.
“You brought a tear to me, Jamal. Man, that wasn’t a performance. You were testifying. I feel the pain in your voice. You can’t teach that. I am your champion. You are representing a group of misrepresented people.”
Jamals energy and conviction made for one of the most powerful performances of the night. Judge Lionel Richie told the singer that if he “had passed the collection plate, I would have given all the money.”
Carrie Underwood described the performance as “a possession.” Luke Bryan agreed. “Every time you sing, you sing like it might be the last time you ever sing. That’s how you have to approach this business. You have to give it your all.”
Watch Jamal Roberts’ incredible performance of “Liar” in the video below. And tune in Monday night (April 14) to see if he advances to the Top 20.
