Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason DeFord, delivered one of the most Jesus-filled acceptance speeches a secular awards show has ever heard after winning Best Contemporary Country Album for “Beautifully Broken” at the Grammy Awards.
The 2026 Grammys aired live from L.A.’s Crypto.com Arena on Sunday night before an estimated 12,000 attendees and millions of viewers worldwide.
In addition to Best Contemporary Country Album, Jelly Roll also won Best Country Duo/Group Performance for his collaboration with Shaboozey on “Amen,” and Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song for his collaboration with Brandon Lake on “Hard Fought Hallelujah.”
On a night marked by anti-ICE acceptance speeches and barely-there fashion statements—including one female artist who shocked red carpet viewers by wearing a sheer outfit that fully exposed her breasts, with part of the outfit clipped to her nipple rings—Jelly Roll used his time onstage to proclaim the name of Jesus. Note that the red carpet was lined with fans of all ages.
“I know they’re going to try to kick me off here, so just let me try to get this out. First of all, Jesus, I hear you and I’m listening, Lord. I am listening, Lord,” Jelly Roll said.
Next, the “Son of a Sinner” singer attributed his life transformation to his “beautiful wife,” former OnlyFans star Alisa DeFord, and Jesus.
“I would have never changed my life without you. I’d have ended up dead or in jail. I’d have killed myself if it wasn’t for you and Jesus. I thank you for that,” he said.
Jelly Roll then used the next 35 seconds for preaching.
“There was a time in my life, y’all, that I was broken. That’s why I wrote this album,” Jelly Roll said. “I didn’t think I had a chance, y’all. There was days that I thought the darkest things. I was a horrible human.”
Holding up a pocket-sized Bible, he continued, “There was a moment in my life that all I had was a Bible this big and a radio the same size and a 6 by 8 foot cell.”
“And I believe that those two things could change my life,” Jelly Roll said. “I believe that music had the power to change my life. And God had the power to change my life.”
