In the whirlwind of post-American Idol fame, Jamal Roberts was on top of the world — but now, he’s revealing a misstep that’s been weighing on him ever since.
In a candid interview, the Idol champ opened up about a moment with country star Jelly Roll that he wishes he could take back.
“I messed up,” Roberts admitted. “I didn’t handle it right, and I think I let him down.”
Fans are stunned, and many are asking: What really happened behind the scenes? And is there still time to fix it?

Jamal Roberts, Jelly Roll

Shortly after Jamal Roberts won season 23 of “American Idol,” he said one of his new dreams was to collaborate with the show’s artist-in-residence, Jelly Roll. But Roberts nearly missed the chance when he accidentally ignored a call from the country superstar.

The 27-year-old R&B singer told Gold Derby on May 27, 2025, that after his big win, Jelly Roll tried to reach him directly.

“He FaceTimed me,” Roberts told the outlet. “I didn’t know who the number was, and then he texted me, ‘So you Hollywood now, you can’t answer the phone?’ I was like, ‘Man, I didn’t know who the number was.’ But yeah, we locked in. That’s my boy right there. He’s got my back.”

Jamal Roberts Says Plans Are in the Works For Jelly Roll Collaboration

Luckily for Roberts, Jelly Roll was amused by the mix-up and the two have since made plans to collaborate, he told Gold Derby.

“Yeah, we’re already working on that now, we’re working on some stuff as we speak,” he said, adding, “We’re going to have something coming soon.”

Jelly Roll became a big fan of Roberts’ during his journey on “American Idol.” The P.E. teacher and dad of three girls first captured Jelly Roll’s attention during the Hawaii round, when he covered Jelly Roll’s hit song “Liar.

Jelly Roll mentored Roberts alongside guest mentor Ashanti. After hearing him talk about how he’s tried to see the good and rise above the lack of hope in his hometown of Meridian, Mississippi, and then listening to him rehearse, Jelly Roll got choked up, wiping his tears and hugging him afterwards.

“Man, that wasn’t a performance, you were testifying,” he told Roberts. “I feel the pain in your voice. You know, you can’t teach that. I am your champion in this thing, man. I think you’ve got it. I think you represent a group of misrepresented people. Man, you got it, Jamal.”

Jelly Roll & Jamal Roberts Performed During the ‘American Idol’ Finale

Once Roberts performed “Liar” onstage in Hawaii, competing for viewers’ votes, Jelly Roll said from the audience, “I would feel disrespectful to call this my song at this moment. This is now Jamal’s song. I was singing Jamal’s song tonight! Man, I am blown away. Everything about him — his story, his testimony, his love for his children, his community, his city — but most importantly, I love his voice!”

By the time Roberts had made it to the top 3, he got to perform that song — and another Jelly Roll song, “Unpretty” — with the superstar, who bowed down to Roberts after they were finished.

As the winner of “American Idol,” Roberts has the option to sign a deal with 19 Recordings, the show’s record label partner, which is part of BMG. Conveniently, it’s also Jelly Roll’s record label, making a quick collaboration between the two all the more likely.