'American Idol' Jamal Roberts on Mississippi city honor: 'I don't want it' following threats
New "American Idol" winner Jamal Roberts is scooping up honors and preparing to head out on tour with Brandy and Monica, including an Indy stop in October.
One honor he’s passing on, though, is recognition from a Mississippi town, saying there have been threatening messages from those unhappy with him being honored there.
'Idol' winner declined key to Mississippi city honor, citing threats
The Meridian, Mississippi, native won Season 23 of "American Idol" in May.
Ahead of several concerts scheduled across his home state, the singer declined acceptance of a key to the city from Laurel, Mississippi, revealing there had been negative comments and threats, including people saying they would bring guns to an August concert at which he is performing.
He made the revelation after a local concert promoter posted on social media that Laurel Mayor Johnny Magee had given him permission to give the "American Idol" champ a key to the city on Aug. 2 at the Noir & Blanc concert Roberts was headlining.
"I did not ask for a key to the city," Roberts said in a Facebook Live.
Roberts said some were angry because he doesn't live in the town and they had cited others who they say live in the area and deserve the honor.
"Y'all should get it and give it to them, somebody that's deserving, I guess. … You know, been working in the community for years. But I don't want it," he said on Facebook.
Roberts politely declined and thanked the mayor, adding: "But, respectfully, keep it."
The singer still plans to perform at the upcoming event.
About Laurel, Mississippi
The city has a population of about 16,900 and is between Hattiesburg and Meridian. It's known for its history, architecture and Southern charm. Ben and Erin Napier made the town a national name with their show "Home Town."
‘American Idol’ Jamal Roberts honored with key to the city in Alabama
Laurel’s overture to Roberts followed the recent presentation of a key to the city to the singer and his children by Atmore, Alabama, at a June show there.
Roberts said the town "made us feel like we were at home."
"Thank y'all for loving on my babies and accepting me just the way I am," he wrote on Facebook on June 14.
Who is 'American Idol' Jamal Roberts?
Roberts was a physical education teacher at Crestwood Elementary School in Mississippi before appearing on "American Idol."
A dad to three daughters – Harmoni, Lyrik and newborn Gianna – he's the first Black man to win the singing competition since Ruben Studdard took the Season 2 title in 2003.
The second winner from Mississippi, Roberts tried out for the show twice before coming back and winning it all.
Ultimately, he won a golden ticket this year singing Rick James’ "Mary Jane" during the audition rounds.
Jamal Roberts’ ‘American Idol’ title is one for the records
Roberts won Season 23 by earning the most fan votes out of 26 million cast. Host Ryan Seacrest said it was the "biggest finale vote in show history," according to PEOPLE magazine.
When to see Jamal Roberts perform in Mississippi
Roberts has 2025 Mississippi concerts listed on Eventbrite before the Brandy and Monica “The Boy is Mine” Tour starts in the fall.
Shows include:
- Jamal Roberts: 4 p.m. Aug. 24 at Kandy Factory Event Center, 1203 North Jackson St., Crystal Springs.
- Noir & Blanc: 8 p.m. Aug. 2 at L.T. Ellis Center, 610 Munson St. Laurel.
- An Evening with Jamal Roberts: 7-10 p.m. Sept. 19 at the Jackson Convention Complex Center, 105 East Pascagoula St., Jackson.
Jamal Roberts on Brandy and Monica’s ‘The Boy is Mine’ Tour
Roberts will be the only guy on Brandy and Monica’s highly anticipated “The Boy is Mine” Tour this fall.
The 24-city outing marks the first time the two Grammy winners are co-headlining and is built around their 1998 duet “The Boy is Mine,” which spent 13 consecutive weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100.
Also on the tour are more Grammy winners — Kelly Rowland and Muni Long.
The tour kicks off on Oct. 16 at Heritage Bank Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, and concludes Dec. 7 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com.
Brandy and Monica ”The Boy is Mine” Tour dates
- 10/16 – Cincinnati, Ohio – Heritage Bank Center
- 10/17 – Milwaukee, Wisconsin – Fiserv Forum
- 10/18 – Chicago, Illinois – United Center
- 10/19 – Indianapolis, Indiana – Gainbridge Fieldhouse
- 10/30 – Memphis, Tennessee – FedExForum
- 10/31 – Atlanta, Georgia – State Farm Arena
- 11/1 – Greensboro, North Carolina – First Horizon Coliseum
- 11/02 – Baltimore, Maryland – CFG Bank Arena
- 11/7 – Las Vegas, Nevada – T-Mobile Arena
- 11/8 – Oakland, California – Oakland Arena
- 11/9 – Los Angeles, California – Kia Forum
- 11/13 – Charlotte, North Carolina – Spectrum Center
- 11/14 – Columbia, South Carolina – Colonial Life Arena
- 11/15 – Birmingham, Alabama – Legacy Arena at BJCC
- 11/16 – St. Louis, Missouri – Enterprise Center
- 11/20 – Brooklyn, New York – Barclays Center
- 11/21 – Newark, New Jersey – Prudential Center
- 11/22 – Atlantic City, New Jersey – Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall
- 11/23 – Hampton, Virginia – Hampton Coliseum*
- 11/29 – Detroit, Michigan – Little Caesars Arena
- 11/30 – Washington, D.C. – Capital One Arena
- 12/5 – New Orleans, Louisiana – Smoothie King Center
- 12/6 – Fort Worth, Texas – Dickies Arena
- 12/7 – Houston, Texas – Toyota Center
*Muni Long will not perform.
Find Brandy x Monica tickets on TicketmasterContact IndyStar reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at cheryl.jackson@indystar.com or 317-444-6264. Follow her on X.com:@cherylvjackson or Bluesky: @cherylvjackson.bsky.social.
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