John Roberts is back, and this time, he’s trading breaking news for classic rock.
Nearly a month after his hospitalization with a rare and dangerous case of malaria, the America Reports anchor shared a lighthearted 30-second clip that had fans smiling, cheering, and yes, singing along.
“A little ‘Jessie’s Girl’ to get the blood moving”
In the video posted to X on Sunday, Roberts strums along to Rick Springfield’s 1981 hit Jessie’s Girl, flashing a grin and showing off solid rhythm. He kept the caption simple: “A little ‘Jessie’s Girl’ to get the blood moving this morning.”
But for those who’ve followed his health battle, the upbeat moment carried a deeper meaning. Roberts, who just weeks ago was shivering in a hospital bed, looked relaxed, energized, and very much on the mend.
From a tropical vacation to a terrifying diagnosis
The cheerful clip comes after a health scare that shocked viewers.
In late August, Roberts revealed he had contracted malaria, a mosquito-borne illness rarely seen in the U.S., during a family trip to Indonesia. Within days of returning home, he began experiencing extreme fatigue, full-body aches, and uncontrollable chills — symptoms he at first mistook for the flu.
As he previously told People, it wasn’t until his doctor urged him to go to the ER that Roberts learned the truth. Tests showed his platelet and white blood cell counts had plummeted, and he was admitted to Inova Fairfax Hospital in Virginia.
“I was a little scared,” he later admitted. “I’ve never felt that sick in my life.”
He spent nearly a week in the hospital, receiving aggressive treatment. Roberts has credited his wife, ABC News correspondent Kyra Phillips, for enlisting help from a malaria expert in Malawi to guide his care. That account came in earlier updates.
By early September, Roberts had returned home and told fans he was recuperating, though still dealing with wild temperature swings and fatigue.
“Incredible” and “Glad you are feeling better”
The guitar post instantly lit up his mentions with excitement and praise.
Fans on X flooded the replies: “Looking good, Mr. Roberts,” one wrote. Another cheered, “Awesome! Your playing is impressive… your timing is spot on.” Others praised the song choice, with one gushing, “I love Rick Springfield… my teen heartthrob ❤️.” Another simply added, “Incredible.”
But the most common message was one of relief: “Glad you are feeling better! Good to see you are back home.”
It’s the first time in weeks Roberts has appeared so at ease, and fans couldn’t be happier to see it.
