‘American Idol’ Winner Jamal Roberts Doesn’t Know Where His Cash Prize Is—but He Knows Where It’s Going

Just over a week ago, Jamal Roberts’ life transformed overnight as viewers crowned him the season 23 winner of American Idol. Beating out runner-up John Foster and Top 3 finalist Breanna Nix, the P.E. teacher from Meridian, Mississippi will become $250,000 richer thanks to his victory. However, Roberts revealed during a recent interview with Us Weekly that he still has yet to see any of his prize money.

“No, I haven’t received it. Don’t know where it is,” said Roberts, 27, adding, “I’m interested in knowing.”

What Will Jamal Roberts Do With His ‘American Idol’ Prize Money?

Obviously, $250,000 is a life-changing amount of money. However, Jamal Roberts has plans for his American Idol cash prize, and none of them include any “big splurges.”

“I’m gonna put it in the bank,” he told Us Weekly.

With his May 18 victory, Roberts becomes the first Black man to win American Idol since Ruben Studdard all the way back in season 2. His first single, a gospel cover of Tom Odell’s 2013 indie hit “Heal,” has already soared to the top of the iTunes Gospel Digital Song Sales chart.

“I don’t know what to say,” Roberts told GoldDerby of that milestone. “It was amazing. I just didn’t expect it. This is my first time.”

He continued, “People ask me all the time… ‘How do you feel? What do you think about that?’ I’m like, ‘This is my first time too, guys! This is my first time being number one.’ It was my first time on American Idol. It was my first experience. Everything is brand new to me, but I’m grateful and thankful for the opportunities.”

Is a Collab With This A-Lister in the Future?

Serving as American Idol’s first-ever artist-in-residence, Jelly Roll formed a clear bond with Jamal Roberts throughout season 23. The pair teamed up during the finale, performing two Jelly Roll songs, “Liar” and “Unpretty.” And after getting a taste of what it’s like to collaborate with the “Need a Favor” crooner,” Roberts is hoping to make it official.

“Yeah, we’re already working on that now. We’re working on some stuff as we speak,” the season 23 champ told Gold Derby. “He FaceTimed me. I didn’t know who the number was, and then he texted me, ‘So you Hollywood now, you can’t answer the phone?’ I was like, ‘Man, I didn’t know who the number was.’ But yeah, we locked in. That’s my boy right there. He’s got my back. We’re going to have something coming soon.”

Featured image by Paras Griffin/Getty Images