While many slammed Carrie Underwood’s judging style as harsh and unfair, Jamal Roberts took a completely different stance. His graceful response is turning the narrative around — and fans are rethinking everything.

Jamal Roberts, Carrie Underwood

Nearly three weeks after Jamal Roberts won season 23 of “American Idol,” the R&B singer continues to be asked by media and fans about widespread speculation that judge Carrie Underwood wasn’t thrilled about his rise to the top.

Roberts has repeatedly taken the high road, giving Underwood the benefit of the doubt and insisting that the country star seemed supportive while he was on the show. But at the BET Awards 45th anniversary dinner on June 11, 2025, 27-year-old Roberts admitted to online journalist Nate Vinson that he knows he likely wasn’t her favorite — and that he’s proud of her for staying true to her “roots.”

Fans React to Jamal Roberts’ Latest Comments on Carrie Underwood

In a clip Vinson tweeted of his interview with Roberts, he could be heard telling the “American Idol” winner, “There is a very strong narrative online about one of the judges of the show, Miss Carrie Underwood.”

Roberts laughed, clearly unsurprised by getting another question about the supposed controversy, as Vinson continued, “People that watched the show felt like, you know, she really wasn’t supportive of you like other judges, other people were of you. Have you seen any of that backlash and what is your response to that?”

“My response is Carrie is a country singer,” Roberts replied. “She likes country music. I mean, I don’t think she likes every genre, for real. She had her picks, and she had to choose who she really liked, and she stuck with it. So, we applaud her for sticking to her roots and sticking to who she liked. But, you know, I feel like the better person won.”

Roberts beat out 19-year-old country crooner John Foster and 27-year-old contemporary Christian artist Breanna Nix for the top spot.

Roberts’ clip with Vinson drew lots of reactions on X. Some defended Underwood, others said she should have been more supportive, and a few neutral observers encouraged everyone to calm down and drop the drama.

One tweeted, “Leave dude be and let him glow. Leave her be and let people actually express their opinions without (expletive) like this. Dude is super talented, but not my genre. Whatever. Congrats bro 💯💪👏”

Carrie Underwood Called Jamal Roberts’ Voice a ‘Gift From God’ After Finale

The controversy stems from some of Roberts’ supporters taking issue with Underwood’s comments and expressions during the singer’s season 23 performances. During his audition, for example, she said he needed more “swagger” to match his big voice. Later, after one of his top five performances, she said, “I feel like you missed such an opportunity to move around and entertain,” adding that it was time to “pull out all the stops.”

On May 30, a week after Roberts’ victory, “The Morning Hustle” co-host Lore’l told Roberts that some viewers thought Underwood “kind of side-eyed you” after host Ryan Seacrest announced him as the winner.

Roberts diplomatically replied, “Watching all the past performances, I see that she was clapping and getting on board, so I really don’t know.”

“I didn’t like her energy toward you,” Lore’l admitted, “and I think that’s why I’m shading her in this interview here … is because I did not like the swagless comment, or saying that you needed swag, I did not like how she looked at you sometimes in some performances. I really wanted to come through the screen.”

Right after the finale ended, Underwood told Extra, “I do like the way it was set up, there was no way America could’ve gotten it wrong. We had three incredible finalists occupying three different lanes, they all had their own vibes, their own styles, their own vocal ranges and styles and techniques, and I feel like it was a great finale.”

“But Jamal just has a gift from God,” she continued. “His voice is insane. Every time he opens his mouth, it’s flawless … I got to tell him afterwards, ‘Now, go do great things!’ And I feel like he certainly can.”

After she returned home to her farm near Nashville, Underwood named a baby sheep after Roberts that was born on the same day of the finale. She has since called the lamb “Baby J” in subsequent Instagram Stories.