Host Ryan Seacrest said there were 26 million votes cast, which broke a record and was twice as many as for last year's finale.

Jamal is a proud father of three daughters: Harmoni, Lyrik, and Gianna Grace, who was born during his time on American Idol, just days before his Top 8 performance on American Idol. His two older daughters, 6-year-old Harmoni and 4-year-old Lyrik, were regulars throughout the show, supporting their father every step of the way.