EntertainmentNow/Gettyol’ Fans Shower Jamal Roberts With Gifts After He Posts Father’s Day Wish List

When “American Idol” winner Jamal Roberts jokingly posted photos of a few things he was hoping to receive on Father’s Day, he was shocked when followers started asking where they could purchase and send the items.

During a Facebook Live session he hosted from his home in Meridian, Mississippi, on June 15, 2025, Roberts said he was urged by so many fans to create an Amazon wish list that he did — and was blown away by the response, receiving everything from new fishing gear to clothes for his kids.

Jamal Roberts is the 1st Dad to Win ‘American Idol’

When 27-year-old Roberts won the 23rd season of “American Idol” on May 18, many heralded him for becoming only the second Black male to win in the show’s history (the first was Ruben Studdard in 2003).

But Roberts also made history by becoming the first dad to win the competition. The now-former P.E. teacher from Meridian, Mississippi, has three daughters — Harmoni, 7, Lyrik, 4, and six-week-old Gianna.

On the morning of June 15, he posted a Facebook video from a concert he performed the day before in Atmore, Alabama, with his two oldest in tow. He proudly brought them onstage at one point to introduce them and Lyrik sang “Jesus Loves Me” for the adoring crowd.

After sharing that video, the avid fisherman posted some screenshots of fishing poles and a bottle of cologne on Facebook and wrote, “P.S.: If you don’t know what to get me for Father’s Day, here is a hint 🤣🤣🤣 ight bye 🤧👌”

The post was flooded with thousands of comments from fans, many of them begging him to create an Amazon Wish List of items he’d like for Father’s Day for himself and his girls. So, he said in a Facebook Live later that afternoon, he decided to go ahead and do so — and he couldn’t believe the response.

“Thank y’all, thank y’all, thank y’all,” he kept saying as he hopped on live. “Listen. I sat up there, created that registry, and y’all just went on there and just got all the stuff! So I know what I’m gonna do. I’m gonna go fishing! Y’all got my fishing rods, my lures, my hooks, then y’all told me to add the babies some stuff on there, (and) y’all got that, too. Y’all are amazing.”

Most of the items Roberts included on his wish list were $25 or less, from toddler clothes to bug spray to socks and t-shirts for himself. A few higher ticket items that have been purchased include $160 night vision goggles for fishing and a $110 bottle of Ralph Lauren cologne.

Does Jamal Roberts Have His Prize Money Yet?

DisneyThe top 14 contestants of “American Idol” season 23 crowd around winner Jamal Roberts as he sings his victory song on May 18, 2025.
Receiving items for himself and his kids may be a huge help for Roberts as he adjusts to fame following his “American Idol” journey, which kept him away from his job as a P.E. teacher for months. Although his victory includes a prize of $250,000, according to Us Weekly, he told the outlet in late May that he hadn’t received the prize money and didn’t know where it was.

Even when he does receive his cash prize, past winners and contestants have said that a significant portion winds up going to taxes and to cover the necessary costs that come with their newfound fame, including paying team members (Roberts now has a business manager, lawyer, and security in addition to his longtime manager), band members, wardrobe, travel and more.

Season 22 winner Abi Carter didn’t sign a deal with 19 Recordings, the record label partner of “American Idol,” and told EntertainmentNow in March, “You know, paying for producers and masters and mixers and just paying for everything around that is very expensive.”