In a night filled with powerful performances and emotional tributes, it was a quiet backstage exchange that captured hearts across the internet. Jennifer Hudson, the multi-talented EGOT winner, shared a moving and intimate moment with rising star Jamal Roberts following his breakout performance at the 2025 BET Awards, held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
The two artists crossed paths backstage just minutes after Roberts brought the audience to its feet with his stirring rendition of “Freedom Cry,” a newly released single that has become an anthem of resilience and identity. Roberts, visibly emotional, was caught off guard when Hudson approached him with open arms and a wide smile.
“You were incredible,” Hudson was overheard saying, her voice warm with admiration. “You moved the whole room. I felt every note.”
Roberts, still catching his breath, embraced her and appeared overwhelmed. “Coming from you, that means everything,” he said, his voice cracking.
BET cameras captured snippets of the exchange, which were later posted to social media. The clip, now viral, shows Hudson holding Roberts by the shoulders and offering encouraging words while brushing away his tears. “This is just the beginning. Don’t let anyone dim your light,” she told him, adding, “Your voice is needed right now.”
Hudson’s support came as a full-circle moment for Roberts, who has frequently cited her as one of his vocal idols. In a 2024 interview, he credited Hudson’s Oscar-winning performance in Dreamgirls as the inspiration for his own pursuit of a music career.
Social media erupted with praise for both artists. Fans commended Hudson for her grace and mentorship, while others noted the powerful symbolism of a seasoned icon passing the torch to a new generation. “Jennifer Hudson giving Jamal Roberts his flowers backstage is what the culture is all about,” wrote one user on X (formerly Twitter). Another commented, “That wasn’t just encouragement — that was a blessing being passed down.”
The 2025 BET Awards celebrated excellence in Black entertainment, and this moment between Hudson and Roberts felt emblematic of the show’s mission. Hudson had earlier presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to fellow music legend Mary J. Blige, while Roberts made his award show debut just hours later — a juxtaposition of legacy and emergence.
Backstage, industry insiders noted Hudson’s unwavering support of young talent. “Jennifer always makes time,” said a BET producer. “She doesn’t just show up — she shows up for people.”
As for Roberts, the 24-year-old singer-songwriter from Atlanta is already seeing his stock rise. Following the show, his streaming numbers spiked by more than 300%, and #FreedomCry trended for hours. Still, it was the Hudson moment that seemed to resonate deepest.
In an Instagram post later that night, Roberts shared a photo of the embrace, captioning it simply: “She saw me.”
And now, the world is watching him, too.
