Hmm …
The newest winner ofAmerican Idolwas announced this week, but some fans don’t think every judge was happy about it.
The popular singing competition series crowned Jamal Roberts, a PE teacher and father from Meridian, Mississippi, as their Season 23 winner.
It was ahistoric win, as the show racked in 26 million votes — the most in the show’s history — on Sunday night for the season finale. Jamal ultimately beat out John Foster of Addis, Louisiana, and Breanna Nix of Denton, Texas, who, respectively, took second and third place. Jamal is also the second Black man to winAmerican Idol, since Reuben Studdard took home the title 22 years ago.
But the exciting moment seemingly got clouded by accusations that Carrie Underwood had a lukewarm reaction to seeing Jamal’s success. People even claimed she didn’t initially stand and might’ve been told to stand up. Fans apparently noticed Lionel and Luke jump up right away to applaud Jamal after the announcement was made, while Carrie stayed seated for a little while until finally joining the other judges to give Jamal a standing ovation.
Not Carrie Underwood sit down and probably being severalize to stand up when Jamal won 🙄 # AmericanIdolpic.twitter.com/CCQbLBnmS9
Here’s a closer look at the moment:
People also noted that Carrie, who also happened to win Season 4 of American Idol, was allegedly critical of Jamal’s performances until the very end.
And even when Carrie shared a congratulatory post with Jamal, fans weren’t buying it. “Congratulations to the newest winner of@AmericanIdol!!!” Carrie wrote. “I’m so proud of Jamal Roberts and all he has accomplished this season and I can’t wait to see what mountains he climbs next! He’s going to do great things!”
Congratulations to the new succeeder of@AmericanIdol ! ! ! I ’m so majestic of Jamal Roberts and all he has reach this season and I ca n’t wait to see what sight he climbs next ! He ’s going to do great things ! ❤ ️❤️❤️pic.twitter.com/L4yJgSNGKK
But after the immediate backlash she received after Sunday’s win, some people believed her post felt “forced,” and that herpolitical affiliationplayed a part in her responses throughout the season:
While others believed the backlash was unnecessary and unfounded:
Anyone feels like the truth weigh or just race bailing for the hell of it ? ! I do n’t like using those word because I take someone being a racialist very seriously , but obviously you do n’t because you ’re throwing around LIES ! She sustain this man all yearpic.twitter.com/sDrt7AoX7J