See what ‘American Idol’ winner Jamal Roberts said about fan THEORIES on Carrie Underwood amid some fans thought she wasn’t as happy about his win

See what ‘American Idol’ winner Jamal Roberts said about fan theories on Carrie Underwood

“American Idol” winner Jamal Roberts directly addressed the fan theories about his relationship with judge Carrie Underwood.

Underwood, who won the fourth season of the singing show, was a season judge for the first time this year. Some fans thought she wasn’t as happy about his win as she should have been and wasn’t supportive enough throughout the season.

The Mississippi man won Season 23 on Sunday, May 18. He drew the most fan votes out of 26 million cast. According to PEOPLE magazine, host Ryan Seacrest said it was the “biggest finale vote in show history.”

What did American Idol winner Jamal Roberts say about Carrie Underwood?

Journalist Nate Vinson asked him about the “very strong narrative online” on the red carpet at a BET 45th anniversary dinner. He wanted to know if Roberts had seen any backlash from the fan idea that “she really wasn’t supportive of you like other judges or other people.”

Roberts, 27, responded, “Carrie is a country singer and she likes country music. I mean, I don’t think she likes every genre for real. She had her picks, and she had her (choice) of who she really liked, and she stuck with it.”

“We applaud her for sticking to her roots and sticking to who she liked, but I feel like the better person won,” Roberts continued.

USA TODAY reached out to reps for “American Idol,” Roberts and Underwood for comment.

What to know about Jamal Roberts

Roberts, 27, was a P.E. teacher at Crestwood Elementary School in Mississippi before appearing on the show.

The Meridian native is also a girl dad to three daughters: Harmoni, Lyrik and newborn Gianna.

He’s the first Black man to win since Ruben Studdard took the Season 2 title in 2003.

Roberts is the second winner from Mississippi. He’d tried out for the show twice before coming back and winning it all.

Ultimately, he won a golden ticket this year singing “Mary Jane” by Rick James during the audition rounds.

“You need some swagger,” Underwood said at the time. “You can’t walk around with that big ole voice and not have the rest of you being like, ‘Yeah!’ … You’re so good. Just let your body match your voice.”

She and the other judges congratulated him for his win online after the season finale.

When can I see him sing in Mississippi?

Roberts has Mississippi concerts listed on Eventbrite later this year.

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.

See photos of Jamal Roberts on American Idol

How to watch American Idol Season 23

Missed some episodes? The latest “American Idol” shows are available on Hulu.

Will there be a new season of American Idol?

The longtime series has been renewed for Season 24. It will air in 2026.