Meridian, Mississippi, isn’t just a dot on the map—it’s the hometown of Jamal Roberts, a 27-year-old P.E. teacher turned soul-singing sensation who’s clawing his way through the glitz and grind of American Idol Season 23. This guy’s not just belting notes; he’s carrying the hopes of a small Southern city and his two daughters, Harmoni and Lyrik, on his shoulders. Roberts has already made waves, sailing into the Top 12 with a gut-punch performance of “Shout” by The Isley Brothers on April 27. Now, he’s gearing up for the next round, and here’s the lowdown on how to catch him live.
The action unfolds Monday nights at 8 p.m. Eastern Time, with Sunday episodes sometimes thrown in for good measure, like the one that aired on April 27. American Idol broadcasts on ABC, a network you can snag with a basic cable package or a decent antenna if you’re old-school. No TV? No sweat. Stream it live on the ABC app or website, but you’ll need to log in with a cable provider or one of those live-streaming services like Hulu + Live TV or YouTube TV. If you miss the live show, Hulu’s got your back—episodes drop there the next day for subscribers.
On April 28, Roberts took the stage for a high-stakes performance, the last of the night, that left the crowd buzzing. He’s a dad with a mission, not just to win but to reshape how folks see Meridian, a city he says deserves better than its rap. His journey started with a golden ticket earned on March 24, when he floored judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood with a raw, soulful take on Rick James’ “Mary Jane.” Since then, he’s been a standout, from nailing Anthony Hamilton’s “Her Heart” during Hollywood Week on March 31 to a show-stealing “Liar” cover on April 14 that had Jelly Roll, the season’s artist-in-residence, calling it Roberts’ song now.
Voting’s a big deal here. Fans can cast ballots during live shows via the American Idol app, ABC’s website, or by texting a number flashed on-screen. On April 27, Roberts’ “Shout” performance, complete with a surprise stage moment with his daughters, locked in enough votes to push him to the Top 12. The next episode, airing April 28, saw him advance to the Top 10, proving he’s got the chops to hang with the best.
Roberts’ path hasn’t been all smooth. He’s admitted to nerves, like during a shaky moment in the Top 24 round on April 7, but he’s got a knack for pulling through. His April 20 Easter special rendition of Jason Nelson’s “Forever” earned raves from Richie, who said it didn’t matter what “school” of music Roberts was channeling—it was just “outrageous singing.”
For those wanting to keep tabs, American Idol runs its live shows on Sundays and Mondays, typically kicking off at 8 p.m. Eastern, 5 p.m. Pacific. Check local listings, because network schedules can shift. Streaming options include the ABC platforms or services like FuboTV for real-time viewing. Roberts’ next performance is set for the upcoming Monday episode, though exact dates for future shows depend on ABC’s schedule, so keep an eye on their official site.
Roberts, a father of two, teaches at Crestwood Elementary when he’s not on stage. He’s got over 139,000 Instagram followers tracking his journey, where he posts clips of his singing and glimpses of his girls. His April 20 post, captioned with a nod to his faith and hustle, showed the grit that’s gotten him this far.
American Idol Season 23 airs on ABC, Sundays and Mondays at 8 p.m. Eastern. Live streaming is available on ABC’s app or website, with next-day streaming on Hulu. Voting happens live during broadcasts via the American Idol app, ABC’s website, or text. Roberts advanced to the Top 10 on April 28.