Jamal Roberts, winner of American Idol Season 23, is officially joining R&B legends Brandy and Monica on their first-ever co-headlining tour across the U.S., marking his most high-profile opportunity since taking the title. The tour, titled The Boy Is Mine, was announced on June 24, 2025, and will feature 24 dates spanning from mid-October through early December. Also joining the lineup are Grammy-winning artists Kelly Rowland and Muni Long.
The tour, named after Brandy and Monica’s 1998 chart-topping duet, will kick off on October 16 in Cincinnati, Ohio, and travel to major cities including Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Brooklyn, and Houston. The inclusion of Roberts, a newcomer with growing national attention, signals a strong endorsement from some of R&B’s most respected figures.
A Tour Decades in the Making
Brandy and Monica appeared on CBS Mornings to make the official announcement, sharing that plans for a joint tour had been in discussion since their 1998 hit but only materialized now due to timing and creative alignment. “They were trying to get us to do a tour since ’98 and it just finally felt like the right time,” Brandy said. Monica added that the excitement of touring together for the first time was matched by their desire to showcase newer voices, such as Roberts.
Their duet “The Boy Is Mine” spent 13 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and re-entered pop culture conversations after both artists appeared in Ariana Grande’s 2024 music video tribute.
A Milestone for Jamal Roberts
Roberts, who rose to fame earlier this year with a blend of soulful ballads and gospel-inspired performances, had been teasing a “massive tour announcement” during multiple livestreams in June. Now confirmed, he will join the full tour roster, appearing at all 24 shows.
Though he has yet to comment publicly on the announcement, Roberts hinted at the opportunity during a June 22 Facebook Live, saying, “The schedule’s about to get hectic, y’all. And I cannot wait to announce this tour. I can’t say nothing else.”
Roberts’ inclusion represents a bridge between generations: a fresh voice shaped by gospel and soul, now sharing stages with genre-defining icons. His recent cover of “Her Heart” at Dumont Plaza went viral for its emotional depth, and his recent BET Awards performance with Kirk Franklin and Tamar Braxton earned him critical acclaim.
Upcoming Performances and Momentum
Before the fall tour begins, Roberts will maintain a busy schedule. He headlines the Florida Black Excellence Main Event in Jacksonville on June 28 and appears at the “Before the Fireworks” concert in Memphis, Arkansas on July 3. His August 15 performance at Nashville’s City Winery sold out in under 24 hours, and he was recently added to the SpiritFest lineup in South Carolina on August 31.
As he prepares to join Brandy, Monica, Kelly Rowland, and Muni Long on the road, Jamal Roberts continues building on his American Idol victory with a mix of strategic live appearances, viral performances, and now, a place on one of the most anticipated R&B tours in years.
