Jelly Roll marked another unforgettable moment at the 2026 GRAMMY Awards, earning his third career GRAMMY win on Sunday, February 1. The 41-year-old artist took home the award for Best Contemporary Country Album for his deeply personal, chart-topping project Beautifully Broken.
When presenters Lainey Wilson and Jeff Goldblum announced his name live on stage, the Nashville native—born Jason DeFord—was overcome with emotion. Jelly Roll broke down in tears, embraced his wife Bunnie XO, shared a kiss with her, and hugged Reba McEntire before heading to the stage to accept his Gramophone trophy.
True to form, Jelly Roll delivered a raw and heartfelt acceptance speech that left much of the audience visibly moved. Aware of the time limit, he jumped right in, thanking God, his wife, his label, and the country radio community that supported his journey.
“First of all, Jesus, I hear you, and I’m listening,” he said. Turning to his wife, he added, “I would’ve never changed my life without you. I’d have ended up dead or in jail. I thank you for that.” He also gave shout-outs to Broken Bow Records, Republic Records, and his team, celebrating how far they’ve come together.
Jelly Roll went on to reflect on the pain and struggles that inspired Beautifully Broken. “There was a time in my life that I was broken,” he shared. “That’s why I wrote this album. I didn’t think I had a chance.”
He closed his speech with a powerful message about faith and redemption, recalling a time when all he had was a Bible and a radio while incarcerated. He spoke about believing that both music and God had the power to change his life—and how that belief ultimately did. “Jesus is for everybody,” he said. “Anybody can have a relationship with Him.”
His words brought many in the audience to tears, including Reba McEntire, Kelsea Ballerini, and other fellow artists.
Released on October 11, 2024, Beautifully Broken debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, marking Jelly Roll’s first chart-topping album in the U.S. The project also reached No. 1 on the UK Country Albums Chart and features hit singles like “I Am Not Okay,” “Heart of Stone,” and “Liar.”
The category also included nominations from Eric Church, Kelsea Ballerini, Miranda Lambert, and Tyler Childers.
The 2026 GRAMMYs featured a night packed with unforgettable performances, tributes, and appearances from some of music’s biggest names. Hosted by Trevor Noah, the 68th Annual GRAMMY Awards aired live from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on CBS and streamed on Paramount+, celebrating music, resilience, and the power of storytelling.
