Jamal Roberts is a proud member of American Idol‘s Top 7. The PE teacher has wowed audiences each week with unforgettable performances that often end with judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood on their feet.
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He’s more than just an amazing voice, though. From his childhood in the church, to his life as a dad and a teacher, to his commitment in persevering through challenges, here are three quick things to know about Roberts.
Jamal Roberts Grew Up Singing
In an interview with Billboard, Roberts revealed that he’s been singing his whole life.
“I started singing at the age of two. My grandparents found out I could sing and I started singing in church and [covering] the Temptations and Michael Jackson,” he said. “I had a granddaddy on my dad’s side who was a bishop and a grandad on my mom’s side was a deacon, so I was in church every time the door opened. I was the usher, and I was in the choir and I used to play the drums.”
Instead of acting in musicals and joining the choir, during his time in school, Roberts “sang a lot in my room.” He did, however, win “every talent show” he competed in.
Eventually, he decided to pursue music professionally.
“I love it and it is also fun,” he said. “My grandmother used to tell me when you get a job that you love doing, you stick with it. I love singing.”
He’s a Dad of Three Daughters
Going into this season of American Idol, Roberts was a dad to two girls, Harmoni and Lyrik.
“I always said, even before I had kids, that I was going to name my kids after music,” he told Parade. “… I love my daughters. They are my world, my life. They’re the reason I’m here and working so hard to keep smiles on those little faces.”
During the show’s Judges’ Song Contest episode, Roberts revealed that his third daughter, named Gianna Grace Adams, was born amid the competition.
Roberts has more than just his biological kids in his life. The singer is also a PE teacher, and he hopes to emulate educators he had when he was a student.
“I had some great role models in my life and they were schoolteachers,” he told Billboard. “They inspired me and I know I was a handful, but they didn’t give up on me. They saw my flaws, but they knew I had a gift for singing. I had some great principals. I was different and they made it easy for me.”
He Previously Auditioned For Idol
Roberts’ successful Idol run this season wasn’t the first time he tried to get on the show.
During his first ever audition for the show, Roberts was told he was too young and needed vocal training, according to Billboard. His second time around, Roberts was asked to sing a second song, but had only come prepared with one track, per the outlet.
It was his third time auditioning that Roberts made it through, all the way to the Top 7.
“I didn’t get defeated [and] I never gave up. I took the no,” he told the outlet. “I’ve always been able to take constructive criticism and use it for my gain and try again. This has always been me.”
As for what he’s learned thus far on his journey, Roberts said it’s all about staying true to yourself.
“Don’t second-guess yourself. Oh man, second-guessing can cause a lot of stress. Go with your first mind,” he said. “Anything that you do, do your best.”
Photo by Frank Micelotta/Disney via Getty Images
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