Jamal Roberts Honors Late Stepmother on Emotional Moms’ Tribute "American Idol" Episode
In a heartfelt episode of "American Idol" that celebrated Mother’s Day, contestant Jamal Roberts paid tribute to his late stepmother, Tabitha, with a moving performance of Sam Cooke’s "A Change Is Gonna Come." Reflecting on her unwavering support for his musical aspirations, Roberts shared, “She loved when I’d sing this song… she always told me I would do great things—she’s the reason why I’m here.”
The Sunday night episode featured the Top 7 contestants performing Disney songs and sharing personal tributes to their mothers. Roberts recounted how his stepmother passed unexpectedly during the COVID-19 pandemic five years ago, stating, “I think about her a lot… This is just me keeping her name, her memories alive.”
Roberts delivered a stunning rendition of the classic, impressing judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan. Bryan praised him, noting the return to classic R&B, while Richie humorously suggested that Roberts’s emotional depth in performance belied his youth, exclaiming, “I want to see your birth certificate, son!”
His performance, alongside a rendition of "Go the Distance" from Disney’s "Hercules," proved successful; Roberts advanced to the Top 5 contestants. The episode concluded with anticipation for the next round, where Roberts and the remaining contestants will showcase songs inspired by their favorite Disney heroes and villains.
With the final episode scheduled for May 18, viewers remain excited to see if Roberts will continue to honor his stepmother’s legacy as he journeys through the competition.
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