Right after winning season 23 of “American Idol” on May 18, 2025, Jamal Roberts was whisked from Los Angeles to New York to make media appearances, including performing on “Good Morning America” and appearing “Live with Kelly & Mark.”
Although he shared on social media how exciting that trip was, Roberts also told multiple reporters how pumped he was to go home to Meridian, Mississippi, eager to see family and friends including his two young daughters — Harmoni, 6, and Lyrik, 4 — and newborn daughter Gianna Grace.
But Roberts also couldn’t wait to make time for the staff and students at Meridian’s Crestwood Elementary, where he works as a physical education teacher. Within days of his big win, the man known as “Coach Jamal” was back at the school on “bus duty,” as seen in a Facebook Live video posted to the school’s Facebook feed.
Jamal Roberts Says He’ll Continue to Help at School Even as His Star Rises
With his star on the rise and his single “Heal” topping the iTunes charts, Roberts likely won’t be returning to his role at Crestwood Elementary anytime soon. Even before “American Idol,” he worked there because he loved it while regularly performing gigs.
The 27-year-old told USA Today right after his win, “”I wasn’t really doing the teaching thing for the money. It was really the kids, (who are) just my inspiration. So even if I could go back every now and then, just show up and be a part of something, I plan to do that.”
That’s exactly what he did during his first week as the season 23 winner, hanging out with staff who were thrilled to see him back, and running outside with a walkie talkie on “bus duty,” helping to get the kids where they needed to go after school.
“He loves his Crestwood family,” the staffer filming the video sang while filming Roberts shaking his head and smiling at her as he sat atop a lunchroom table, surrounded by teachers happy to see him. “He came back home to be his authentic self! And he’s on bus duty, he sure is.”
“He’s back for a little while,” she continued. “Don’t rush off neither!”
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