When “American Idol” season 23 winner Jamal Roberts performed in Atmore, Alabama, on June 14, 2025, he shared on social media how touched he was when the mayor presented him with a key to the city — an honor that many cities bestow on visiting celebrities and dignitaries.
But when Roberts performs at the Blac & Noir Event in Laurel, Mississippi, in early August, he won’t be accepting the same honor. On June 27, the R&B singer spoke to fans via Facebook Live to address a firestorm of controversy that had erupted over plans to present him with a key to the city made famous in the last decade by HGTV stars Erin and Ben Napier.
Jamal Roberts Says Laurel Uproar is Example of the ‘Sad World We Live In’
During his Facebook Live, Roberts said that his upcoming show in Laurel, located minutes away from his hometown of Meridian, has been “booked forever.” Roberts said he’d heard nothing about being given a key to the city until June 27, when local event organizer Drake Paige posted on Facebook that Mayor Magee had approved the special honor.
But his announcement was met with swift opposition from some in Laurel who took issue with Roberts receiving a key to the city, arguing that residents who have given back to the community in various ways have not received similar honors. The comment section quickly grew heated, many more people have posted, and Roberts said he’d been notified of death threats made against him.
“You have people sharing the post, making threats, talking about they’ll have guns at the event,” the former P.E. teacher said, adding, “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.”
In the comment section of Paige’s post, Roberts wrote, “Although I am appreciative, I did not ask for it, but I am thankful.”
“I don’t want it, respectfully,” Roberts further clarified in his video. “You can have it. Tell them I’m appreciative, but I politely decline.”
Jamal Roberts Plans to Release Song Celebrating His Home State of Mississippi
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The tradition of civic leaders handing out “keys to the city” to esteemed visitors dates back to medieval times, when cities surrounded by walls with giant gates, according to Brown University. In modern times, a non-functioning key is given to symbolize that a trusted,
Many people have shared encouragement for Roberts on social media amid the controversy, and disappointment over all the negativity, including one person who wrote, “Some of you all are about to break a record, THE MOST HATERS, UNDER ONE POST!!!”
Another wrote, “Omg. People just can’t find anything else to worry about in their life. This is ridiculous. Like you say a key is not going to stop your journey. Keep reaching for the top. God got you.”
Laurel has a population of less than 17,000 but is well known as the locale of HGTV’s hit show “Home Town” starring Erin and Ben Napier. It is also the real-life hometown of multiple celebrities including actress Parker Posey, NSync member Lance Bass, opera singer Leontyne Price, blues singer Sam Myers, and Olympic Gold Medal track star Ralph Boston.
Toward the end of Roberts’ June 27 Facebook Live, he said he’d been in Los Angeles working on new music all week. Despite the bump in the road with Laurel, he said the first single from his upcoming album would be a song that serves as his ode to his home state of Mississippi.
“I’m (gonna) dedicate a song back to the state,” Roberts said. “That’s gonna be my first record. My first record I’m gonna drop is gonna be a song back to the to the state. Tell them how appreciative I am. You know, people just don’t expect good things to come out of Mississippi no more, and when they do, they don’t know how to handle it.”
