‘Judged More by Christians Than Anything’—Jelly Roll’s Wife Addresses Faith Controversy After Grammys

Jelly Roll Alisa DeFord Grammys
(L) Jelly Roll giving his acceptance speech at the 2026 Grammy Awards—Screengrab via YouTube / Recording Academy / GRAMMYs. (R) Alisa DeFord defending her husband. Screengrab YouTube / Dumb Blonde Podcast

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She explained, “What you’re watching is a man who is growing in his faith in front of everybody. Yep. It’s not like he just woke up one day and was like, ‘I’m going to use Christianity.’”

Jelly Roll’s Collaboration With Brandon Lake Brought Christian Judgment

DeFord said Christians are the hardest people to please and shared that the judgment from Christians started after Jelly Roll’s collaboration on Brandon Lake’s “Hard Fought Hallelujah.”

“Are you kidding me?” she added. “[Christians] are the hardest crowd to please. Obviously, look what’s happening. At least like when we were living in the secular world, nobody cared what we did. [Now] I feel like we’re being judged more by Christians than anything.”

RELATED: ‘It’s Been Years Since I Worshiped’ That Way—Jelly Roll Shares His Reaction to Brandon Lake’s ‘Hard Fought Hallelujah’

“It’s because he did that song with Brandon Lake—which he loved that song—and when Brandon approached him about being on it, he was like, ‘Absolutely,’” DeFord added. “And then that’s when all this started and all this hate started. But really, if people did the research, we’re talking about going back 15 years, my husband has always talked about God.”

“Why is it not okay to let somebody live, learn, and grow in their faith just like I’m doing?” DeFord asked. “It’s just insane to see the the outrage online.”

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Jesse T. Jackson
Jesse is the Senior Content Editor for ChurchLeaders and Site Manager for ChristianNewsNow. An undeserving husband to a beautiful wife, and a father to 4 beautiful children. He is currently a church elder in training, a growth group leader, and is a member of University Baptist Church in Beavercreek, Ohio. Follow him on twitter here (https://twitter.com/jessetjackson). Accredited member of the Evangelical Press Association.

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