American Idol judge Carrie Underwood has recently sparked controversy among fans due to some unusual remarks directed at singer Jamal Roberts.
Underwood, now 42, joined the panel this season, stepping in for Katy Perry two decades after her own career skyrocketed following her Idol victory.
With only five contestants left—Slater Nalley, John Foster, Thunderstorm Artis, Breanna Nix, and Jamal Roberts—following the elimination of Gabby Samone and Mattie Pruitt on Sunday, the competition is heating up.
The remaining singers each performed twice, with the audience’s votes ultimately sending Slater Nalley and Thunderstorm Artis home.
While Sunday night’s results stirred significant fan outrage, Monday’s episode shifted the focus to Underwood, as many criticized her comments.
Fans expressed anger after Underwood advised the 27-year-old Roberts, the last Black contestant in the competition, to “move around and entertain.”
American Idol judge Carrie Underwood is coming under fire from fans after some bizarre comments to singer Jamal Roberts
Many were furious after she told the 27-year-old Roberts, now the last Black singer left in the field, to ‘move around and entertain’
Roberts chose Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s Ain’t No Mountain High Enough from the 2000 Disney sports film Remember the Titans, with Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie giving him a standing ovation while Carrie Underwood remained seated.
His performance elicited a huge response from the crowd, with judge Luke Bryan saying, ‘You deserve every bit of this.’
Lionel Richie was floored by his ability to transform certain songs, which he called the singer’s ability to, ‘Jamalerize’ a song, adding the performance was, ‘amazing’ while encouraging fans to vote.
While Carrie Underwood admitted that Jamal’s, ‘voice is incredible,’ she surprised many fans by saying, ‘I feel like you missed such an opportunity to move around and entertain.’
She added, ‘We are getting close to the end here, it is time to pull out all the stops. And we know you have that in you. So like pull us all in not just with your voice but everything else going on. Put 100% of yourself into it. Let’s go.’
After his second performance – a soulful rendition of the title song from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Carrie was seemingly speechless, telling the other judges to speak.
Lionel said that only Jamal could pull off turning Beauty and the Beast into an R&B song while Luke simply said, ‘Let’s win this thing, baby! Let’s win this thing!’
Jamal was voted through to the Top 3 and will have a chance to win the competition on Sunday night’s finale, though many found Carrie’s comments quite off-putting.
Roberts chose Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s Ain’t No Mountain High Enough from the 2000 Disney sports film Remember the Titans, with Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie giving him a standing ovation while Carrie Underwood remained seated.
His performance elicited a huge response from the crowd, with judge Luke Bryan saying, ‘You deserve every bit of this’
Jamal was voted through to the Top 3 and will have a chance to win the competition on Sunday night’s finale, though many found Carrie’s comments quite off-putting
In fact, some even went so far as to say that they didn’t want to see her return to the judge’s table for Season 24.
A fan named Brianna (@lakenbriannaxo) said, ‘What kills me is Carrie telling Jamal he needs to move around but these others are staying in the same spot and not moving.’
Another fan dubbed @topfloordes said, ‘Something about Carrie…….i can’t put my finger on it but she’s not genuine and doesn’t like soulful singers, she doesn’t care for runs etc. she thinks country is the only genre out there.’
LaDawna (@LaDawna_writes) said, ‘#AmericanIdol folks have stood still all season and Carrie decides to tell Jamal to move around and dance. Annoying!’
Lady Kaija (@LadyKaija) insisted, ‘Carrie DEFINITELY DOES NOT LIKE JAMAL AT ALL, and she’ll do ANYTHING TO SABOTAGE his win! I pray GOD shuts her down once n for all! Jamal is God’s Property!’
The same user added, ‘It’s pretty pathetic that Carrie would criticize Jamal – but to be fair… She gritted on him during his entire performance! She OBVIOUSLY DOES NOT LIKE JAMAL, and she’s BLATANTLY OBVIOUS! WATCH.’
Katherine Lind (@katherinelind92), added, ‘Carrie have no rights to use that attitude with Jamal.’
Another user dubbed @Gawjussraeee said, ‘Carrie can go ahead & sit next season out. Im not feeling her.’
A fan named Brianna (@lakenbriannaxo) said, ‘What kills me is Carrie telling Jamal he needs to move around but these others are staying in the same spot and not moving.’
Another fan dubbed @topfloordes said, ‘Something about Carrie…….i can’t put my finger on it but she’s not genuine and doesn’t like soulful singers, she doesn’t care for runs etc. she thinks country is the only genre out there’
LaDawna (@LaDawna_writes) said, ‘#AmericanIdol folks have stood still all season and Carrie decides to tell Jamal to move around and dance. Annoying!’
The same user added, ‘It’s pretty pathetic that Carrie would criticize Jamal – but to be fair… She gritted on him during his entire performance! She OBVIOUSLY DOES NOT LIKE JAMAL, and she’s BLATANTLY OBVIOUS! WATCH.’
The same user added, ‘It’s pretty pathetic that Carrie would criticize Jamal – but to be fair… She gritted on him during his entire performance! She OBVIOUSLY DOES NOT LIKE JAMAL, and she’s BLATANTLY OBVIOUS! WATCH.’
Katherine Lind (@katherinelind92), added, ‘Carrie have no rights to use that attitude with Jamal’
Another user dubbed @Gawjussraeee said, ‘Carrie can go ahead & sit next season out. Im not feeling her.’
Butta J (@ButtaKupJ) said, ‘Dear Carrie, this is flat foot singing! He don’t have to do flips! Shiiid you didn’t do any when you was on the show. This man is sanging! Vote for Team Jamal Roberts #AmericanIdol.’
ForeverInFantasyLand (@WhittyWhit86) said, ‘I feel like Carrie Underwood should have dressed up as the Evil Queen with the mean faces she’s making #AmericanIdol.’
Penny Pumpkin (@pennypumpkin33) said, ‘Was waiting for Carrie to tell Jamal he should have done a handstand during his performance.’
Butta J (@ButtaKupJ) said, ‘Dear Carrie, this is flat foot singing! He don’t have to do flips! Shiiid you didn’t do any when you was on the show. This man is sanging! Vote for Team Jamal Roberts #AmericanIdol.’
ForeverInFantasyLand (@WhittyWhit86) said, ‘I feel like Carrie Underwood should have dressed up as the Evil Queen with the mean faces she’s making #AmericanIdol.’
Penny Pumpkin (@pennypumpkin33) said, ‘Was waiting for Carrie to tell Jamal he should have done a handstand during his performance.’
American Idol closes out Season 23 with the epic finale Sunday, May 18 at 8 PM ET on ABC.
