And The 'American Idol' Season 23 Winner Is ...
Jamal Roberts, a grade school physical education teacher from Mississippi, won Season 23 of 'American Idol' on Sunday after wowing the judges with his versatility.
'You can sing things that are contemporary, and it fits. You can sing things that are throwback, and it fits,' first-year judge Carrie Underwood told Roberts during the finale, per The Washington Post. 'You just have this incredible ability to just make things your own, and it all sounds fresh and new and fun.'
He defeated runner-up country singer John Foster and third-place Breanna Nix in a tally of 26 million total votes, twice as many as last year, host Ryan Seacrest said per The Hollywood Reporter.
Here's Roberts' triumphant moment:
Roberts, a 27-year-old father of three, performed The Temptations' R&B classic 'Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)' and Teeks' soulful 'First Time' during the finale. He made them appear effortless.
It was a long way from his impressive but flawed audition when he sang 'Mary Jane' by Rick James.
'Relax,' panelist Lionel Richie urged him back then.
'You gotta loosen up,' Underwood advised, urging him to gain some swagger. 'It might be just like a confidence thing.'
Looks like Roberts took their pro tips and ran with them.
'I'm still trying to process this,' Roberts wrote on Instagram after his victory.
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