Jelly Roll Delivers Emotional "Jesus Is For Everybody" Speech After 2026 Grammy Win; Screen Rant, February 2, 2026

 

Sarah Polonsky , Screen Rant; Jelly Roll Delivers Emotional "Jesus Is For Everybody" Speech After 2026 Grammy Win

"Jelly Roll’s meteoric rise reached a new pinnacle at the 2026 GRAMMYs, where he took home the trophy for Best Contemporary Country Album for his acclaimed project, Beautifully Broken. Known for his raw honesty, the artist used his time on stage to deliver one of the most talked-about acceptance speeches of the night.

Standing before the Recording Academy, Jelly Roll chose not to shy away from his troubled past. He reflected on the dark days that inspired his album, admitting there was a time when he felt he 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 and a 6 by 8 foot cell," he shared, referencing his previous incarceration. He credited those two things—faith and music—with having the power to completely transform his life.

The singer was visibly moved as he thanked his wife, Bunnie XO, in a deeply personal tribute. He stated plainly that he "would have never changed [his] life" without her, even going as far as to say he might have ended up dead or in jail if not for her and his faith. The climax of the speech turned into a sermon-like moment that resonated throughout the arena. Jelly Roll addressed his faith with a message of inclusivity that broke through the typical awards show rhetoric.

"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."

What country stars really think about that AI-generated country ‘hit’; The Washington Post, December 28, 2025

 Emily Yahr, The Washington Post; What country stars really think about that AI-generated country ‘hit’

"“Walk My Walk,” a track from an act called Breaking Rust, landed at No. 1 on the magazine’s country digital song sales list. It didn’t take long for journalists to realize that Breaking Rust didn’t appear to be human; Billboard referred to it as a “AI-powered country act,” and one of several “AI artists” on its charts.

“Can listeners tell the difference?” CNN wondered, taking the question to people on the street. “Does it matter?”

It’s an issue that has been roiling the music industry lately, even after years of media consolidation and format changes that had already made it harder for real singers and songwriters to earn a living.

The alarm bells grew louder in 2025 as artificial intelligence became more pervasive, but the Breaking Rust episode was a particular focal point for Nashville anxieties; Tennessee was the first state to sign into law the Elvis Act, which protects singers from their voices being copied by AI."