‘American Idol’ Contestant Jamal Roberts Welcomes Baby Girl Just Before Top 8 Performance

Season 23 of American Idol is heating up, and for Top 8 contestant Jamal Roberts, this week was unforgettable—both on and off the stage.

Before his performance aired on Monday, May 5, Jamal revealed some personal news that he had quietly kept to himself: he had just become a dad for the third time.

“I had a beautiful baby girl,” Jamal shared during his rehearsal footage. “It was so personal to me, I didn’t share it right away. But she’s healthy and beautiful—born today.”

The newest addition to the Roberts family is named Gianna Grace Roberts. Jamal is already a proud dad to two daughters, Harmoni and Lyrik, both of whom were in the audience cheering him on during the live show.

For his Top 8 performance, Jamal sang “I Believe” by Fantasia—a song he said resonated deeply with him at this stage in the competition. “Where I stand right now, I feel love lifting me higher—real love,” he said. “From my hometown, from my kids… that’s what’s keeping me going.”

Judge Lionel Richie selected the song for Jamal as part of the Judges’ Song Contest, though Jamal initially guessed that Carrie Underwood had picked it.

Thanks to viewer votes, Jamal safely advanced to the Top 6. The bottom two contestants—Mattie Pruitt and Josh King—were at risk of elimination. Judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, who had tied in the song contest, were tasked with saving one of them. In the end, they chose to keep Mattie, which meant Josh was sent home.