Jelly Roll, Jamal Roberts Bring Down the House With Emotional ‘American Idol’ Performance

Fans can never have too much Jelly Roll, so American Idol viewers were thrilled when the show tapped him as its first-ever artist-in-residence. The “Save Me” crooner, 40, has been on hand for each of the Top 3’s highs and lows all season. Never shying away from public displays of emotion, Jelly often struggled to keep it together on set.

Now, the ABC shows’ 23rd season is finally coming to an end tonight (Sunday, May 18.) The Top 3 finalists—John Foster, Breanna Nix, and Jamal Roberts—will leave everything onstage tonight in their bid to become the next American Idol. But first, the show treated viewers to a star-studded lineup of performers, including the artist-in-residence himself.

Jelly Roll Takes The Stage With Jamal Roberts During ‘American Idol’ Finale

During Sunday’s (May 18) finale, Jelly Roll joined Good Charlotte, Salt-N-Pepa, Jessica Simpson, and more on the American Idol stage. The Antioch, Tennessee native’s performances are always unforgettable, and tonight’s was certainly no exception.

Jelly (real name: Jason DeFord) joined Top 3 finalist Jamal Roberts onstage. The rapper-turned-country-superstar and the R&B sensation brought tons of soul to two tracks from the CMT winner’s latest album, “Unpretty” and “Liar.”

Jamal & Jellyroll are a duo I didn’t know I needed. #AmericanIdol

— tée. 🐎 (@whtstee_) May 19, 2025

“Jelly roll was gracious , he knows Jamal stole that song,” one viewer wrote on X/Twitter.

@JellyRoll615 put Jamal on that remix of Liar ASAP! #Americanidol

— John™ (@Humble_demeanor) May 19, 2025

Will He Return?

As of now, Jelly Roll’s future on American Idol is undetermined. Neither the show nor the Grammy nominee have publicly confirmed whether he will return for season 24. In fact, next year’s judging panel is still up in the air, with whispers that Carrie Underwood may not resume her seat alongside Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie.

[RELATED: Who are the ‘American Idol’ Season 24 Judges? 3 Potential Carrie Underwood Replacements]

However, Idol executive producer Megan Michaels Wolflick certainly seems on board with Jelly’s return.

“He’s literally such a fan, and I don’t think we’ve ever had anyone come on the show who has so much passion for the Idol brand,” Wolflick told TV Insider. “He could tell you everyone who won every season, and I never knew that. When he started making it in the industry, he was like, ‘This is a dream to be on this show.’ And I was like, ‘Well, it’s a dream for us to have you.’”

Additionally, the executive producer said that an announcement regarding next year’s judges may arrive more quickly than viewers realize.

“I think we’re in a good place… We never share our hand before the end of the season, but it should be coming soon, and we’re excited about the show doing so well,” Wolflick said.

Featured image by Jason Kempin/Getty Images