It was supposed to be another thrilling round on American Idol. Instead, it turned into a heated controversy. Carrie Underwood, a celebrated Idol alum and guest judge this season, shocked viewers not with her vocals—but with her comments to finalist Jamal Roberts. In a moment that left many fans cringing, Underwood critiqued Roberts by telling him to “move around and entertain,” even after a standing ovation from fellow judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. This remark, made to the last Black contestant in the competition, didn’t sit well with many—and the internet lit up with fury.
Roberts had just performed “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” earning thunderous applause and praise for his powerful voice and soul-stirring delivery. Luke Bryan called his performance “deserving,” and Richie praised Jamal’s ability to “Jamalerize” a song. Yet Underwood remained seated and zeroed in not on his voice—but on his stage movement. She admitted his vocals were “incredible” but claimed he “missed an opportunity” to fully entertain, urging him to “pull us all in… not just with your voice but everything else.”
Jamal Brings New Life to “Undo It” by Carrie Underwood | American Idol
Fans didn’t just take issue with the critique—they saw it as unfair and, some said, biased. With other contestants “standing still all season,” many pointed out the double standard. Some even questioned Underwood’s comfort with more soulful, non-country styles. One fan wrote, “She didn’t do any flips when she was on the show—why should he?” Others called for her to sit out the next season entirely.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time a soulful performer has been met with lukewarm feedback while more traditional pop or country artists are praised. It brings up long-standing questions about genre favoritism on reality shows—and who gets celebrated for authenticity vs. performance flair.
Jamal Roberts Performs Disney Hit “Beauty and the Beast” | American Idol
Jamal’s second song, Beauty and the Beast, was a bold reimagining of a classic—and Lionel Richie was floored. Carrie? Quiet. But online? Fans called it “the moment of the night.” His R&B twist on the fairytale tune proved he wasn’t just a singer—he’s an artist.
Want more behind-the-scenes updates and reactions? Both Jamal and Carrie Underwood are active on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Fan debates and clips are still trending.