On Sunday night, Jelly Roll became a first-time Grammy winner. The former underground rapper and current inspirational face-tatted country star went three for three in his categories, and he accepted the trophy for Best Contemporary Country Album on the telecast. That win was a bit of a surprise, as he beat out fellow nominees Tyler Childers, Miranda Lambert, Eric Church, and Kelsea Ballerini. During his acceptance speech, Jelly Roll went into preacher mode, talking about how music and the Bible changed his life when he was in prison. In the process, he said, "Jesus is for everybody! Jesus is not owned by one political party!" It might be the closest thing to a political statement that he's ever made.
On a night when many of his fellow winners were more vocal about politics, Jelly Roll's acceptance was conspicuous. In the press room after his win, Jelly Roll told reporters that he's just now learning about politics and that he'll have more to say on the matter "in the next week." Here's what he had to say:
People shouldn't care to hear my opinion, man. You know, I'm a dumb redneck. I haven't watched enough. I didn't have a phone for 18 months. I've had one for four months and don't have social media. I hate to be the artist aesthetic aloof, but I've become so disconnected from what's happening.
I grew up in a house of insane pandemonium. I didn't even know politics were fuckin' real until I was in my mid-twenties in jail. That's how disconnected. When you grow up in a drug addict household, do you think we have common calls about what's happening in world politics? We're just trying to find a way to survive, man, you know?
And I have a lot to say about it, and I'm going to in the next week. And everybody's going to hear exactly what I have to say about it in the most loud and clear way I've ever spoken in my life. So I look forward to it.
@apnewsentertainment After winning best contemporary country album at the 2026 Grammys, Jelly Roll said he has not spoken on U.S. politics due to his background, adding he plans to share his views “loud and clear” in the coming week. #Grammys #GrammyAwards #JellyRoll
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Like many mainstream country artists, Jelly Roll tends to avoid making explicit statements. In the past, he's made it clear that he's "not political" and that he's never voted for a US president because of his convictions for different felonies, including drug possession with intent to distribute and aggravated robbery. Tennessee governor Bill Lee pardoned Jelly Roll in December, though, so his voting rights have probably been restored.
In December 2024, Jelly Roll talked about meeting President Trump at a UFC event at Madison Square Garden when he was on his wife Alyssa DeFord (aka Bunnie XO)'s podcast. He said that meeting Trump was "really cool" and that he didn't care about "any blowback" that he'd get from it. He also said that he met Donald Trump, Jr. there and called him a "sweet guy, as a human."
In January 2024, Jelly Roll testified before a Senate subcommittee in support of anti-fentanyl legislation.
