Jelly Roll declines to comment on politics after Grammy sweep, calls himself a ‘dumb redneck’

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Jelly Roll wasn’t about to ruin his big Grammy night by wading into politics.

Fresh off a three-win haul at the 2026 Grammy Awards on Sunday, February 1, the 41-year-old singer made it clear he wasn’t interested in weighing in on the current political climate, even as other artists used the stage to condemn Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations. 

Jelly Roll avoids political comments at Grammys

Speaking to reporters backstage at the Crypto.com Arena, Jelly Roll was asked point-blank whether he wanted to comment on what’s happening in the country right now. "Would you be willing to comment on what's going on in the country right now?" one asked, to which the singer replied, "Not really."

“So this is the truth, and I'm glad somebody asked, because I love talking about this stuff, and people care to hear my opinion, but so I can tell you that people shouldn't care to hear my opinion,” he said.

Roll went on to describe how disconnected he feels from politics. “You know, I'm a dumb redneck, like, I haven't watched enough,” he said. “I didn't have a phone for 18 months,” seemingly referring to his previous time in prison. “I'm so disconnected from what's happening.”

“I grew up in a house of, like, insane pandemonium. Like, I didn't even know politics were f*cking real until I was in my mid-20s in jail,” he added. “Like, that's how disconnected [you are] when you grew up in a d*ug addict household. You think we, like, had common calls about what's happening in rural politics? Like, we're just trying to find a way to survive, man, you know?”

That said, Roll said he will not stay silent forever. He reassured reporters that he does “have a lot to say about it,” adding, “I'm going through it 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 spoke in my life. So I look forward to it on the Internet.”

Jelly Roll makes history with three Grammy wins

The night was a banner one for Jelly Roll. He took home Best Contemporary Country Album for 'Beautifully Broken', Best Contemporary Christian Song with Brandon Lake for 'Hard Fought Hallelujah,' and Best Country Duo/Group with Shaboozey for 'Amen.'

The 'Beautifully Broken' win was especially notable, marking Jelly Roll as the inaugural recipient of the newly created Best Contemporary Country Album award at the 68th annual Grammys.

“I think this is awesome to be the first one to win the contemporary one,” he said backstage. “It’s the Grammys always showing how hip they are, what’s actually going on in music. It’s been an undeniable tsunami of what country music’s done the last half decade.”

Reflecting on his journey, Jelly Roll said his teenage self might have believed such success was possible, even if he could not picture the path.

“As horrible as some of the things that are fitting to happen, God is going to use that in a way that you could never dream of,” he said, referencing years marked by addiction and incarceration.

Jelly Roll delivers emotional Grammy acceptance speech

Jelly Roll’s backstage comments came after an emotional acceptance speech for Best Contemporary Country Album, during which the singer fought back tears and credited his wife, Bunnie Xo, with saving his life.

"First of all, Jesus, I hear you, and I'm listening. Lord, I am listening. Lord," he began. "Second of all, I want to thank my beautiful wife. I would have never changed my life without you. I would have ended up dead or in jail. I would have killed myself if it wasn't for you and Jesus. I thank you for that."

He also reflected on how his incarceration became a turning point.

“There was a moment in my life that all I had was a Bible this big, and a radio the same size, and a six-by-eight-foot cell,” he said. “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,” Roll continued.

“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," he added.