Kids Swarm ‘American Idol’ Finalist Jamal Roberts During Emotional Visit to School Where He Teaches

When “American Idol” top 3 finalist Jamal Roberts returned to Meridian, Mississippi, for a hometown visit to be featured on the season 23 finale, the 27-year-old R&B singer made a heartwarming stop at Crestwood Elementary, where he’s a physical education teacher.

On May 14, 2025, Roberts surprised a lunchroom full of screaming fifth graders, per WTOK, including some who were so excited that they couldn’t wait to hug him, as seen in a Facebook video posted by Scotty Ray Report. One little boy started the lovefest by quietly walking up to Roberts as he was talking, and wrapping his arms around the teacher they call “Coach Jamal,” holding onto him for nearly a minute before other kids ran up, some in tears, hoping for a hug, too.

Jamal Roberts Tells Kids at Crestwood Elementary to ‘Never Forget’ the Good Things He’s Taught Them

Before a hometown parade and a concert to a packed square in Meridian, Roberts shared some inspiration with the students at Crestwood, which serves kids in kindergarten through fifth grade. The school also posted a touching tribute video to Roberts on Facebook, featuring footage of him as a teacher there — motivating kids, dressing up in costumes, and joking around.

In a Facebook video posted by the school from the lunchroom on May 14, Roberts could be heard telling all of the students, “So, I want you to understand what’s going on right now. I always told you if you work hard … good things will always come out of it.”

“I’ve been working hard, trying to win this competition — y’all think I can win it?” Roberts asked, to which the students and staff responded by screaming their approval. “It’s been a lot of hard work and I’ve been missing y’all like crazy.”

As the “American Idol” camera crew filmed, several students were invited onto the stage at the front of the lunchroom to thank Roberts — whom they all call “Coach Jamal” — and to share something they’ve learned from him or how he’s inspired them.

After giving those kids hugs, Roberts told all the students gathered, “I’m glad everybody has learned something from me, and I hope you stick to it, whether it’s motivation, sportsmanship — whatever I taught you, I want you to hold onto it. And I want you to keep it in your hearts and never forget, alright?”

“No matter what happens after this, I’m still gonna be a coach,” he told them as they cheered, and then he surprised them with a day of fun he helped to facilitate, including bounce houses, music, and other outdoor activities.

When Roberts stepped down from the stage, he beamed as he was swarmed by dozens of kids chanting over and over, “Go Coach Jamal!”

Jamal Roberts Had Schoolteachers Who Were His Role Models

Noting how invested the students have been in watching and voting for Roberts on “American Idol,” Crestwood Elementary teacher Deyantah Curry told WTOK, “It is awesome seeing him come back. It’s an amazing feeling to see him come back and watch the kids’ reactions.”

In April, Roberts told Billboard that he knows how much of an impact good teachers can make on kids, because he experienced it himself.

“I had some great role models in my life and they were schoolteachers,” he told the outlet. “They inspired me and I know I was a handful, but they didn’t give up on me. They saw my flaws, but they knew I had a gift for singing. I had some great principals. I was different and they made it easy for me.”