‘American Idol’ Winner Jamal Roberts Addresses Speculation Carrie Underwood Wasn’t a ‘Supportive’ Judge

Jamal Roberts, the most recent winner of American Idol, is setting the record straight regarding his relationship with judge Carrie Underwood.

On Wednesday, June 11, Roberts, 27, attended the BET 45th Anniversary Dinner in L.A. and was asked by reporter Nate Vinson to speak on the “very strong narrative” regarding him and the country star, 42.

“People that watch the show that felt like she really wasn’t supportive of you like other judges or other people were,” Vinson remarked in a video shared to his X.

“Carrie is a country singer, and she likes country music,” Roberts replied. “I mean, I don’t think she likes every genre for real. She had her picks, and she had her [choice] of who she really liked, and she stuck with it.”

At the BET 45th Anniversary Dinner, ‘American Idol’ winner Jamal Roberts responded to fans calling out judge Carrie Underwood for her lack of support for Roberts across the season.

“I don’t think she likes every genre for real,” he shares. #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/Tz1CmWkUSS

— reporting for duty. (@TheGreatIsNate) June 11, 2025

The former gym teacher seemingly holds no resentment towards the “Good Girl” hitmaker as he added, “We applaud her for sticking to her roots and sticking to who she liked, but I feel like the better person won.”

Last month, Roberts took home the trophy during season 23 of the singing competition series, beating out country singers John Foster and Breanna Nix, who came in second and third place.

Throughout the season, fans voiced opinions online that Underwood was hard on Roberts compared to fellow judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie.

Following Roberts’ Disney Week performance of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, Underwood told him, “I feel like you missed such an opportunity to move around and entertain.” She was also the only judge not to give him a standing ovation that night.

Despite the criticism, Underwood shared a photo of herself with Roberts on social media after his win, alongside a sweet caption.

“Congratulations to the newest winner of @americanidol !!! I’m so proud of @officialjamalroberts and all he has accomplished this season and I can’t wait to see what mountains he climbs next!” she penned. “He’s going to do great things! ❤️❤️❤️.”

She shared similar sentiments about Roberts to Extra:

“I feel like it was a great finale, but Jamal just has a gift from God. His voice is insane. Every time he opens his mouth, it is flawless,” she told the outlet after the finale. “I got to tell him afterward I was like, ‘Now go do great things.'”

“I feel like the way it was set up, there was no way America could have gotten it wrong,” she added. “We had three incredible finalists occupying three different lanes.”