Tom Odell said Jamal Roberts’ performance of his song “Heal” on American Idol made him cry. Roberts first sang the song during Season 23 on April 28, 2025, then returned to it in the finale after winning the competition.
Roberts performed “Heal” during Season 23
Roberts sang Odell’s “Heal” on the April 28, 2025, episode of American Idol. Good Morning America reported that the performance left the audience speechless.
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Roberts revisited the song in the Season 23 finale. The Washington Post reported that his finale rendition moved guest mentor and former Idol winner Fantasia to tears.
What Odell reportedly said about the cover
In an interview with New York radio station KTU on May 19, 2025—the day after Roberts won—Odell said he watched Roberts’ version online and that it made him cry, according to EntertainmentNow’s account.
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EntertainmentNow transcribed Odell as saying: “It made my cry. He does this version of ‘Heal’ and, you know, this is a song I wrote when I was 20 years old and I’m 34 now.” The wording “my cry” appears in the source’s transcription; without the interview recording, it should not be silently corrected or treated as independently verified verbatim audio.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.The televised performance and the single release
The emotional reaction Odell described was to Roberts’ version as he watched it online. EntertainmentNow separately reports that the cover was released as a single through American Idol partner 19 Recordings on May 17, 2025. That release date refers to the single, not the April 28 televised performance.
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