In a stunning turn of events that’s shaking the foundations of the American Idol fandom, country music icon Carrie Underwood has erupted in anger over what she calls a “malicious and fabricated smear campaign” linking her to the controversial victory of Jamal Roberts, the freshly crowned winner of American Idol 2025.
Country music superstar and American Idol judge Carrie Underwood has publicly addressed swirling rumors suggesting she wielded backstage influence to secure the Season 23 victory for winner Jamal Roberts. In a fiery statement released on her social media platforms late Saturday night, Underwood expressed frustration and vowed to uncover the source of what she called “baseless and damaging” claims.
The controversy erupted following Roberts’ historic win on May 18, 2025, when the 27-year-old physical education teacher from Meridian, Mississippi, was crowned the American Idol champion, earning a record-breaking 26 million votes. Roberts, only the second Black male winner in the show’s 22-year history, captivated audiences with his soulful performances and heartfelt backstory. However, Underwood’s interactions with Roberts during the season and her perceived reaction during the finale sparked speculation among fans and media outlets.
Rumors began circulating that Underwood, who returned as a judge 20 years after her own Season 4 win, had used her influence behind the scenes to sway the competition in Roberts’ favor. Some reports alleged she acted as a “backstage supporter,” leveraging her status to ensure his victory over runner-up John Foster. These claims intensified after Underwood named a newborn lamb on her Tennessee farm “Jamal” in honor of Roberts, a gesture many fans criticized as tone-deaf amid existing tensions.
In her statement, Underwood vehemently denied the allegations. “I am beyond disappointed by these ridiculous rumors claiming I somehow manipulated the outcome of American Idol,” she wrote. “Jamal Roberts won because of his incredible talent and the millions of fans who voted for him. To suggest I had any power over that process is not only false but insulting to Jamal’s hard-earned victory. I will find out who’s behind these lies, and I won’t rest until the truth is clear.”
Underwood’s response comes after weeks of scrutiny over her judging tenure. During the season, she critiqued Roberts’ performance of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” noting he missed opportunities to “move around and entertain.” Some viewers interpreted her feedback as overly critical, especially when compared to her praise for other contestants like Foster. Additionally, footage from the finale showed Underwood briefly remaining seated while judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan stood to applaud Roberts, fueling perceptions of her being unsupportive.
Fans took to social media to express divided opinions. One X user posted, “Carrie’s statement feels like damage control. If she was really Team Jamal, why the shade all season?” Meanwhile, a supporter countered, “Carrie’s being unfairly targeted. She gave honest feedback as a judge, and naming the lamb was sweet, not shady. Let’s move on.”
Roberts, for his part, has remained focused on his post-Idol career. In a recent interview with Good Housekeeping, he discussed his plans to balance his newfound fame with his responsibilities as a father to daughters Harmoni, Lyrik, and Gianna. When asked about the rumors surrounding Underwood, Roberts declined to comment directly, saying, “I’m grateful for all the support I got on this journey. My focus is on making music and inspiring others.”
American Idol has not officially commented on the rumors, though sources close to the production told Variety that the voting process is “rigorously audited” to ensure fairness. As Underwood continues to navigate the fallout, her pledge to uncover the source of the rumors signals she’s ready to fight back. Whether this controversy will impact her return for Season 24 in 2026 remains uncertain, but for now, the country star is standing her ground.
