‘American Idol’ Winner Jamal Roberts Receives Death Threats With Recent Decision

Roberts turned down the key to Laurel in his native state of Mississippi after receiving threats to his life.

Jamal Roberts

When Jamal Roberts won American Idol this past May, it was a dream come true. He had no clue that it could also turn into a nightmare because of haters. His hometown visit to Meridian, MS, as part of the ABC talent competition couldn’t have been more welcoming and Jamal has said all along that he has no plans to move from Mississippi. He loves where he lives.

As part of that appreciation for his home state, Jamal had scheduled several concerts there, but drama ensued when a local concert promoter in Laurel, MS, posted that Jamal was going to be awarded with the key to the city by Mayor Johnny Magee, and the hating began.

Jamal had previously received a key to the city of Atmore, which may have been what inspired the Laurel concert organizer Drake Paige to follow suit.  He posted on Facebook, “I just got word that the mayor Johnny Magee will let me present Jamal Roberts with the ” key to the city ” August 2nd! This is big ! Look at GOD moving!”

But some folks in Laurel didn’t like the idea because even though Jamal is a Mississippi resident, he doesn’t reside in Laurel.

“He ain’t from laurel. That ain’t fair now,” one post read, while another person added, “Jamal Roberts from Meridian who only came through Laurel to get to Hattiesburg.”

The negative comments escalated, turning into threats, causing Jamal, 27, a PE teacher, to post: “You have people sharing the post, making threats, talking about they’ll have guns at the event. I worked with kids before American Idol and it’s crazy that … kids can comprehend (how to behave) more than grown folk. It’s a sad world we live in.”

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Later, Jamal tried to get things back into perspective, saying on Facebook Live: “I did not ask for a key to the city. Y’all should get it and give it to them, somebody that’s deserving, I guess. You know, been working in the community for years. But I don’t want it.”