Updated

Updated · Rolling Stone · Aug 28

Jelly Roll Clarifies Political Stance After 6 Months, Says Human Dignity Is Not Partisan

Updated

Updated · Rolling Stone · Aug 28

Jelly Roll Clarifies Political Stance After 6 Months, Says Human Dignity Is Not Partisan

Q: What specific Grammy comment does the singer deeply regret making during his massive career breakthrough?

The Grammy remark Jelly Roll said he most regretted was not a single line from his acceptance speech, but his backstage comments afterward — especially saying he needed more time before speaking on politics and then calling himself “a dumb redneck.” On *Jimmy Kimmel Live!*, he said he had been asked to take what felt like a political stance right after winning and that he “fumbled” the moment. He explained that, by trying not to make a political statement, he ended up creating one anyway. He specifically pointed back to the Grammys press room, where he had said, “I have a lot to say about it and I’m going to in the next week,” after also saying, “people shouldn’t care to hear about my opinion, I’m a dumb redneck.” He later said he wished he had instead more clearly expressed what was in his heart. According to his later explanation, what he wishes he had said that night was a simple faith-based message about loving one’s neighbor and recognizing the dignity of everyone.

3 articles · Updated · Rolling Stone · Aug 28

Six months after sidestepping a Grammys question, Jelly Roll used his final Jimmy Kimmel Live monologue to say he leans left on some issues but is "pretty down the middle."
3 Grammy wins in February became the backdrop for his remarks: he said he froze when asked to make a political statement, then watched others define his beliefs for months.
March marked another shift for the singer, who said he was not allowed to vote until then and now plans to exercise that right in November without naming a party.
A handshake with the president, he said, was about respect for the office and his veteran father—not endorsement—while jokes about Donald Trump did not amount to a party label.
His closing message widened beyond electoral politics, arguing that compassion, dignity and the American Dream should extend to everyone, not just "people like me."