American Idol’ Shocker: Jamal Roberts Still Waiting for Prize Money—Winner Reveals Bold Plan for Unpaid Jackpot, Fans Outraged as Show’s $250,000 Payout Delayed—Roberts Promises Every Dollar Will Change Lives Once Funds Arrive, Sparking National Debate Over Idol’s Prize Practices
It’s been more than one week since Jamal Roberts was crowned the American Idol season 23 winner — but so far, he hasn’t seen his prize money.
“No, I haven’t received it. Don’t know where it is,” Roberts, 27, exclusively told Us Weekly on Tuesday, May 27, teasing, “I’m interested in knowing.”
When the musician does get his $250,000 cash prize, he revealed that he doesn’t plan to make any “big splurges.” Instead, Roberts shared, “I’m gonna put it in the bank.”
Disney/Christopher Willard
Roberts won the reality singing competition on May 18, beating out runner-ups John Foster and Breanna Nix. While Roberts is the only one who will take home a monetary prize, both he and Foster received a trip for four on the Disney Wish cruise line. The vacation includes world-class dining, Disney entertainment, and character experiences, plus a stay at Disney’s private island, Castaway Key.
Roberts — who is the father of three young daughters, Harmoni, Lyrik and Gianna — is still in awe over the moment he was crowned.
“I say it to myself every day, ‘Did I just, you know, win American Idol?’ I asked myself that. I’m like, ‘Did I actually win American Idol?’” he said, noting, “It feels like it didn’t happen. It’s always [been] a dream and now it’s a reality. I’m like, ‘Do I keep dreaming?’ I’m definitely excited that America chose me.”
Disney/Christopher Willard
While America voted for Roberts, who sang Tom Odell’s “Heal” during the ABC finale, his daughters have always been his biggest fans.
“All they know is ‘Daddy win.’ That’s what they say. I was like, ‘Yeah, daddy won, baby,’” he gushed. “[They] don’t really get the concept of what was going on. They just knew I was gone [for] a long time. And that I [won].”
Following his victory, Roberts said he went back to being a small-town guy, celebrating with a “hot fish sandwich” and going to get his kids and “take them to the house so we could spend time with each other.”
Disney/Christopher Willard
He explained that although he’ll be back on the road next month for CMA Fest in Nashville, right now he’s soaking up every moment with his little ones in his hometown of Meridian, Mississippi.
“They have my whole heart,” Roberts told Us of his girls, the youngest of whom is 3 weeks old.
