“American Idol” winner Jamal Roberts is presented with another key to the city, and this time, he didn’t “respectfully” decline.
Over the weekends, Roberts was in West Memphis, Arkansas, for a special event. The singer serenaded his fans at the Southland Casino Hotel, handing out white roses to the crowd.
“Hmmmmm, feels like a good time already,” Roberts posted on Facebook ahead of his performance. “I walked through the casino and the energy of the people was everything. PC Band, let’s go!”
‘American Idol’ Jamal Roberts Accepts Another Key to the City
Following his jam-packed performance, Roberts revealed that he was presented with a key to the city. The “American Idol” champ shared a photo of the symbolic key on social media and thanked the city’s mayor for the honor.
“Thank you, Mayor Marco McClendon and West Memphis, for giving me a key to your city,” he captioned the post. “The love shown was unbelievable.”
This is the third key to the city awarded to the singer, but only the second he has accepted. Previously, Roberts “respectfully” declined the honor following his performance in Laurel, Mississippi.
During a Facebook Live session, Roberts revealed that not everyone was supportive of him receiving the key to the city. He even received threats, which ultimately led him to politely decline the honor.
“You have people sharing the post, making threats, talking about they’ll have guns at the event,” Roberts said. “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.”
Prior to that, the “American Idol” season 23 winner accepted a key to the city during his performance in Atmore, Alabama, on June 14.
Fans React to Roberts’ New Key to the City
Meanwhile, fans flooded social media with reactions to Roberts’ latest key to the city.
One excited fan wrote on Instagram, “Congratulations! Every new key you receive will be a new door open.”
Another supporter commented on Facebook, “Congratulations!!! That’s exactly what the key is all about welcoming you to the city, celebrating you, and letting you know that you are loved and always welcome.”
A fan chimed in, “They better get you a key to the city everywhere you go. The whole time GOD been made you the key. Keep going up!”
Some can’t help but compare the two cities. One fan pointed out, “See Laurel! This how you should have done it!”
Another joked, “Congratulations Jamal! See Laurel, it’s not an actual key to your HOUSE!”
A fan also wrote, “Good people recognize good people! Going where you’re celebrated (West Memphis) and not tolerated (Laurel).”