Lionel Richie said Jamal Roberts was ‘slaying it’ after a performance that sounded like it came straight from heaven
Jamal Roberts Leaves Viewers Speechless with Soulful Performance of “Forever” on American Idol Easter Special
During American Idol’s special Easter episode on April 20, Season 23 contestants took part in a moving night of gospel-inspired performances. The three-hour celebration, titled Songs of Faith, honored the spirit of Easter with appearances from special guests like CeCe Winans, Roman Collins, Jelly Roll, Brandon Lake, and The Brown Four. Even the judges joined in the celebration, performing throughout the evening.
One of the night’s most unforgettable moments came from contestant Jamal Roberts, who brought down the house with a stunning rendition of Jason Nelson’s gospel ballad, “Forever.”
Jamal Roberts: From Teacher to Fan Favorite
A school teacher and father of two from Mississippi, Jamal Roberts has stayed true to his soulful roots since day one. He first caught the judges’ attention with his smooth audition of “Mary Jane”, earning three enthusiastic yeses.
During Hollywood Week’s Showstopper Round, Jamal wowed with emotional performances of songs by Chris Stapleton and Teddy Swims, earning a spot in the coveted Top 24. When it came time to perform in front of Jelly Roll—Idol’s first-ever Artist in Residence—Jamal delivered a powerful take on “Liar.”
The performance was so raw and moving that Jelly Roll was brought to tears, telling Jamal:
“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.”
“Forever” Delivers a Moment of Pure Magic
For the Easter special, Jamal selected “Forever” by gospel artist Jason Nelson, from the 2018 album The Answer. Known for his powerhouse voice and heartfelt delivery, Jamal took the stage and delivered a show-stopping version of the song, showing off his incredible vocal range and emotional depth.
The judges were visibly blown away. Luke Bryan called it plain and simple:
“You’ve just got that magic.”
Lionel Richie added with a smile:
“You are slaying it, buddy. Slaying it.”
And clearly, America agreed—Jamal was voted into the Top 20 following the performance!
If you haven’t seen his performance of “Forever” yet, it’s a must-watch. With each note, Jamal continues to prove that he’s not just singing—he’s ministering.
{"post":85215,"page":1,"next":[{"id":85192,"title":"Willie Nelson, at 91, Receives a Standing Ovation in Georgia for His Soulful \u201cGeorgia on My Mind\u201d Performance as He Prepares to Release His 77th Solo Album, Oh What a Beautiful World, Marking His 154th Album and Celebrating His Unmatched Legacy in Country Music","url":"https:\/\/new24.info\/85192"},{"id":85188,"title":"It Started As A Regular Night At An Iconic Asbury Park Club\u2014Until Bruce Springsteen Walked In. When The Boss Took The Stage Beside Rising Star Noah Kahan, The Crowd Erupted. What Followed Was Pure Musical Fire: Two Generations, One Mic, And A Jam Session So Powerful It Felt Like History Was Being Written In Real Time. Voices United, Guitars Roared, And The Room Transformed Into A Temple Of Sound. This Wasn\u2019t Just A Performance\u2014It Was A Moment You\u2019ll Regret Missing. Catch Every Chilling Second Now","url":"https:\/\/new24.info\/85188"},{"id":85185,"title":"Carrie Underwood to Headline Super Bowl Halftime Show in Long-Awaited Celebration of Country Music\u2019s Rise to the Global Stage","url":"https:\/\/new24.info\/85185"},{"id":85182,"title":"When Legends Collide, Magic Happens! Sir Tom Jones, At 84 Years Young, Proved That Chivalry And Star Power Never Fade As He Graciously Took Helene Fischer\u2019s Hand And Led Her Into An Unforgettable Moment On Stage. Within Minutes, The Iconic Duo Set The Stage On Fire With A Breathtaking Duet Of Tom\u2019s Smash Hit \u201cSex Bomb\u201d! And Let\u2019s Be Honest\u2014No One Could Have Matched His Energy And Chemistry Quite Like Helene Did. Their Powerful Vocals, Flirty Glances, And Effortless Connection Turned The Performance Into Pure Electricity, Driving The Audience Wild With Thunderous Applause! Watch The Full Performance Now!","url":"https:\/\/new24.info\/85182"},{"id":85178,"title":"Andrea Bocelli and his daughter Virginia delivered a stunning performance of Leonard Cohen\u2019s \u201cHallelujah\u201d on BBC\u2019s Strictly Come Dancing. Their duet blended Andrea\u2019s powerful tenor with Virginia\u2019s soulful vocals, creating a deeply moving moment that resonated with viewers. The performance showcased both their musical talents and their strong familial bond","url":"https:\/\/new24.info\/85178"},{"id":85174,"title":"At the 1994 World Music Awards, Patrick Swayze and his wife, Lisa Niemi, delivered a breathtaking dance performance that left the audience in awe. Gliding across the stage with perfect harmony, the couple showcased not only their remarkable talent but also the deep love and connection they shared. Dressed in elegant attire, their graceful movements and emotional expressions told a story of passion and trust, captivating viewers around the world. The chemistry between them was undeniable, making it one of the most unforgettable moments in award show history. Years later, fans still recall that magical evening as a shining example of true love and artistic brilliance. Patrick and Lisa\u2019s dance remains a timeless tribute to their enduring bond.","url":"https:\/\/new24.info\/85174"},{"id":85171,"title":"Scotty McCreery Stuns with Electrifying Rendition of \u201cThat\u2019s All Right, Mama\u201d on American Idol, Marking a Defining Moment in His Journey to Become the Youngest Male Winner and First Male Country Artist to Claim the Title.","url":"https:\/\/new24.info\/85171"},{"id":85168,"title":"Carrie Underwood Honors Her Faith and Her Hero Randy Travis in Soul-Stirring Hymn \u201cNothing But the Blood of Jesus\u201d","url":"https:\/\/new24.info\/85168"},{"id":85164,"title":"It Started As Just Another Late-Night Performance \u2014 Until Adam Lambert Opened His Mouth. With A Single Note Of \u201cI Don\u2019t Care Much,\u201d He Turned The Studio Into A Silent Cathedral. The Lights Dimmed, The Crowd Froze, And Jimmy Fallon? He Was In Tears. \u201cThat Wasn\u2019t Singing\u2026 That Was Storytelling At Its Most Raw And Vulnerable,\u201d Fallon whispered, visibly shaken. Lambert\u2019s haunting delivery peeled back every layer of emotion \u2014 leaving millions breathless, and one late-night host forever changed","url":"https:\/\/new24.info\/85164"},{"id":85161,"title":"Dolly Parton Delivers a Soul-Stirring Easter Performance of \u201cHe\u2019s Alive\u201d from Her Home Studio","url":"https:\/\/new24.info\/85161"},{"id":85158,"title":"Chris Stapleton and Dua Lipa\u2019s Unforgettable Duet of \u201cThink I\u2019m In Love With You\u201d at the 59th ACM Awards Leaves an Indelible Mark with Raw Chemistry and Powerful Vocals.","url":"https:\/\/new24.info\/85158"},{"id":85155,"title":"Carrie Underwood Hands Her Mom the Mic and the Crowd Witnesses a Moment Too Beautiful for Words","url":"https:\/\/new24.info\/85155"},{"id":85151,"title":"Country Fans Say They\u2019ll Never Forget the Night Ella Langley Sang \u2018Weren\u2019t for the Wind\u2019 and Time Seemed to Freeze","url":"https:\/\/new24.info\/85151"},{"id":85147,"title":"The spotlight bathed the room in a soft, golden glow, and then Andrea Bocelli sat at the piano. As the first haunting notes of Il Mare Calmo Della Sera filled the air, time seemed to freeze. Jennifer Hudson, visibly moved, could hardly contain her emotion\u2014and honestly, who could? Blind but seeing deeper than most ever could, the 66-year-old maestro didn\u2019t just perform, he bared his soul. His voice wasn\u2019t just heard; it was felt, piercing through the heart and reaching into something beyond the music. A raw, spiritual moment that left everyone in awe","url":"https:\/\/new24.info\/85147"}]}
