Just One Week After Winning American Idol, Jamal Roberts Scores First Top 10 Billboard Hit — and a Tattoo to Remember
Just over a week after being crowned the winner of American Idol Season 23, 27-year-old girl dad Jamal Roberts has already landed his first Top 10 Billboard hit single — and claimed the number one spot on the nation’s Gospel chart. It’s a milestone Roberts will likely never forget, not only for the incredible career breakthrough but also because he now has a fresh tattoo commemorating the moment.
On the eve of the American Idol finale, Roberts’ soulful cover of Tom Odell’s 2013 song “Heal” was released by the show’s record label partner, 19 Recordings. Fast forward ten days to May 28, 2025, when Billboard announced that “Heal” had debuted at number one on the Hot Gospel chart and soared to number two on the all-genre Digital Sales chart.
For the week ending May 22, “Heal” sold 9,000 downloads, according to Billboard’s data from Luminate, topping the Gospel Digital Song Sales chart. Roberts wasn’t new to the gospel charts, either. Earlier in May, his previously released 2020 track, “He’s Preparing Me,” climbed to number four on the same chart, fueled by fans tuning in during the American Idol season.
Beyond gospel music, “Heal” made an impressive impact across all genres, landing Roberts a Top 10 song in the U.S. It also racked up nearly 918,000 official U.S. streams within days of release, proving his growing popularity.
Roberts isn’t alone in this chart success. Fellow American Idol finalists Breanna Nix and John Foster also cracked the Digital Song Sales chart with their debut singles, “Higher” and “Tell That Angel I Love Her,” hitting numbers four and six respectively.
The Meaning Behind the Tattoo
Roberts originally performed “Heal” live on the April 28 episode of American Idol. Though the song was new to him, he told guest mentor Fantasia that its message resonated deeply. His heartfelt rendition left judges and the audience speechless.
After reaching the top three, Roberts recorded the song as a single with 19 Recordings, adding personal lyrics to reflect his faith. He then performed it on the finale before being crowned the winner.
The song’s significance led Roberts to mark the moment permanently: On May 26, he got a tattoo down his chest spelling “HEAL,” revealed during a Facebook Live on May 27. His tattoo artist cleverly incorporated the new word using the existing “HOPE” tattoo on his chest, enlarging it and sharing the “E” between the two words in the same font. Roberts admitted it was still painful but meaningful.
On May 28, Roberts shared a photo of his tattoo while in Atlanta with his manager and attorney — sporting his signature suit, shirtless to show off the fresh ink.
What’s Next for Jamal Roberts?
With this whirlwind success — from American Idol victory to chart-topping hits and permanent reminders — Roberts is well on his way to becoming a major force in gospel and mainstream music. Fans and critics alike are watching closely, eager to see how this talented “girl dad” shapes the next chapter of his career.
