Carrie Underwood Faces Backlash Over “Unfair Treatment” of Jamal Roberts on American Idol, According to Fans

As American Idol Season 23 charges toward its grand finale, tensions are rising — not just on stage, but at the judges’ table. Following Monday night’s episode, Carrie Underwood found herself at the center of a growing controversy after fans accused her of delivering an overly critical and unjust critique of Top 3 finalist Jamal Roberts.

The second night of Disney Week concluded with the elimination of two more contestants, leaving Breanna Nix, Jamal Roberts, and Slater Nalley in the Top 3. But it wasn’t the eliminations that dominated the post-show discussion — it was Carrie’s response to Jamal’s latest performance that lit up the internet.

Jamal Roberts’ “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” Sparks Standing Ovation — Except From Carrie

Jamal, a 27-year-old father of three and a P.E. teacher, stepped up with a powerful and uplifting rendition of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” famously featured in Disney’s Remember the Titans. The audience roared with approval, and both Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie jumped to their feet in applause, clearly moved by the performance.

But in contrast to her fellow judges, Carrie Underwood remained seated. When it was her turn to give feedback, her tone shifted the energy in the room. What started as praise for Jamal’s vocal strength quickly turned into a critique that some fans found hard to swallow.

“You have an amazing voice,” Carrie began. But then she added, “You missed an opportunity to move around and really entertain. We’re so close to the end. This is when you’ve got to go all in—give us everything, not just vocally but physically too.” Her remarks, though framed as encouragement, struck a nerve with many viewers.

Fans React: “She Was Out of Line”

Fans immediately turned to social media to voice their disapproval. Some expressed that Carrie’s critique was out of step with the rest of the panel, while others accused her of holding Jamal to a different standard than the other contestants.

• “Be consistent with your feedback — that’s all we’re asking.”
• “Jamal stood still and got slammed. Others did too and got praised. That’s not fair.”
• “That felt personal. Breanna and John didn’t move either, but you applauded them.”
• “The crowd drowned her out with cheers when Jamal came back. That says it all.”
• “She needs to step down next season — too much bias.”

A Double Standard?

Viewers didn’t hesitate to draw comparisons. Many highlighted that earlier in the night, Carrie had praised John Foster for his emotional delivery — even though he remained seated for the entire song. That inconsistency only fueled claims of bias and favoritism.

“You loved John in a chair but told Jamal to dance? That’s a clear double standard,” one user posted, echoing a sentiment shared widely across social platforms.

Others went further, suggesting Carrie’s feedback was not only inconsistent but needlessly sharp in tone. Words like “rude,” “unfair,” and “unprofessional” trended across comments, with many questioning whether she was being impartial.

Will This Impact the Finale?

With the finale set to air Sunday, May 19 on ABC, the controversy swirling around Carrie Underwood’s critique could influence how audiences vote. Jamal Roberts remains a strong contender, and this surge of support following the backlash may further rally his fanbase in the final hour.

Regardless of which side fans take — whether they view Carrie’s feedback as tough love or an unfair attack — the fallout has made one thing clear:

The American Idol finale just became even more intense.

🎥 Watch Jamal Roberts’ full performance of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” below and decide for yourself — was Carrie being honest or just too harsh?