Overview

• Jamal Roberts, a PE teacher from Mississippi, made history as the second Black male winner of American Idol in 22 years, earning a record-breaking 26 million votes.
• Carrie Underwood remained seated during Roberts’ finale performance while fellow judges stood in applause, leading to accusations of a lukewarm reaction.
• Underwood later posted a congratulatory message on X, but some fans criticized it as insincere and labeled it as damage control.
• Critics linked Underwood’s perceived political affiliations, including her past performance at Donald Trump’s inauguration, to their interpretation of her reaction.
• Underwood has not publicly responded to the backlash, as fan debates over her sincerity and potential bias continue to unfold on social media.