Jelly Roll Shares Emotional, Faith-Centered Message After GRAMMY Win for Beautifully Broken
By Website Content Manager
From the stage, he revealed, “I went through a period in my life when I felt completely broken.”
Jelly Roll’s Beautifully Broken was named Best Contemporary Country Album at the 68th Annual GRAMMY Awards on Sunday, February 1, 2026.
The award was presented by Lainey Wilson and Jeff Goldblum, who celebrated the evening as a showcase of “the very best in country music today.”
When his name was announced, the Nashville native appeared overwhelmed, almost stumbling in disbelief before making his way to the stage to give a heartfelt acceptance 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’m listening, Lord. Second of all, I want to thank my beautiful wife [Bunnie XO]. I would’ve never changed my life without you. I’d 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 shared.
Jelly Roll also expressed gratitude to his team, including his label, manager, and country radio supporters. “I thank you for my label, Broken Bow! Country Radio, baby. What’s up, dog? Oh, Republic John McNeely. We did it, baby,” he shouted.
Guided by his faith, he held up a Bible and reflected on his past struggles: “There 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. There were days that I thought the darkest things, I was a horrible human. There was a moment in my life that all I had was a Bible this big and a radio the same size of a 6×8 foot cell. And I believed that those two things could change my life. I believed 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!”
Beautifully Broken, released on October 11, 2024, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, marking Jelly Roll’s first chart-topping album there, and also reached No. 1 on the UK Country Albums chart. The record features the singles “I Am Not Okay,” “Heart of Stone,” and “Liar.”
Other nominees in the Best Contemporary Country Album category included Kelsea Ballerini’s Patterns, Tyler Childers’ Snipe Hunter, Eric Church’s Evangeline Vs. The Machine, and Miranda Lambert’s Postcards From Texas.
The star-studded 2026 GRAMMYs also featured performances from Addison Rae, Alex Warren, Andrew Watt, Brandy Clark, Chad Smith, Clipse, Duff McKagan, Justin Bieber, KATSEYE, Lady Gaga, Leon Thomas, Lola Young, Lukas Nelson, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Olivia Dean, Pharrell Williams, Post Malone, Reba McEntire, Sabrina Carpenter, Slash, SOMBR, The Marías, and others.
Presenters included Carole King, Chappell Roan, Charli XCX, Doechii, Harry Styles, Jeff Goldblum, KAROL G, Lainey Wilson, Marcello Hernández, Nikki Glaser, Q-Tip, Queen Latifah, and Teyana Taylor, with a surprise presenter also revealed during the show.
The Recording Academy notes that the GRAMMY Awards are the only major music honors voted on by peers, with winners selected by Academy members spanning all facets of the music industry — from performers and songwriters to producers, mixers, and engineers.