Singer and songwriter Jelly Roll (Jason DeFord) made a powerful public declaration of his Christian faith at the 2026 Grammys on Sun., February 1.
During his acceptance speech after winning a Grammy for Best Contemporary Country Album, he declared his immense love for Jesus to the cheering audience.
With a Bible in one hand and his Grammy in the other, and his eyes welling up with tears, the country artist told Jesus he’s “listening,” and loves Him. He invited the audience to love Jesus and have a relationship with Him, too.
“Jesus is for everybody. Jesus is not owned by one political party,” he said. “Jesus is not owned by no music label. Jesus is Jesus, and anybody can have a relationship with Him."
Jelly Roll returned to his Christian faith at the age of 39. The now-41-year-old fearlessly expresses his love for the Lord:
Here is the full text of his speech:
“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.
Second of all, I want to thank my beautiful wife. I would have never changed my life without you. I'd have ended up dead or in jail. I'd have k*lled myself if it wasn't for you and Jesus. I thank you for that.
I thank you for my label, Broken Bow. Country Radio, baby, what's up? Republic, John, and Nelly, we did it, baby. It was a time in my life, y’all, that I was broken.
That’s why I wrote this album. I didn’t think I had a chance, y’all. There were days that I thought the darkest things. I was a horrible human.
There was a moment in my life when all I had was a Bible this big and a radio the same size and a six-by-eight-foot cell, and I believe that those two things could change my life. I believe that music had the power to change my life, and God had the power to change my life.
And I want to tell y’all right now: Jesus is for everybody. Jesus is not owned by one political party. Jesus is not owned by no music label. Jesus is Jesus, and anybody can have a relationship with Him.”
I love you, Lord.”
Jelly Roll’s video has generated millions of views across multiple social media platforms. Countless accounts posted his declaration of faith. Numerous users also said his speech brought tears to their eyes.
Here’s how some people reacted to Jelly Roll at the Grammys:
“Tell me the last time you saw any other artist this explosive, this passionate, whilst accepting an award?” one user said. “Please don't let the industry change this man.”
“I immediately got cold chills, and tears started flowing. I felt this. Amen,” another user commented.
“I love him,” someone else commented. “I just bawled. He is now and was my favorite artist. God bless him.”