Jelly Roll wins hearts with impassioned speech at 2024 iHeart Awards

Jelly Roll is living out his childhood dreams of music.

The country star, 39, reflected about how far he has come during his acceptance speech for the 2024 iHeart Radio Music Awards on Monday, where he won Best New Country Artist and Best New Pop Artist.

After an electrifying performance of his song Save Me with Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll delivered an impassioned speech in honor of the accolades he received that night.

“To be one of the voices coming through your radio and to be the best new country artist and represent country music and the best new pop artist, you want to know what it means to a kid like me?” he said.

Reflecting on his journey, he continued, “I was thinking about it, ‘What does it mean when a guy like me gets the opportunity to be the new pop artist of the year?’ It means that God will always use the least likely messenger with the biggest message every single time.”

Born Jason Bradley DeFord, the Wild Ones singer continued to thank his wife and his 16-year-old daughter Bailee Ann.

“You can take that to the bank, baby. I love you Jesus, and I love you Bunnie, my wife. Thank you for everything. My daughter, Bailee Ann, I hope you’re watching. I’m coming home, baby. We did it,” he concluded.

The heartfelt speech resonated deeply with fans, with one commenting, “I cried I had goosebumps from head to toe. His performance and speech it was epic,” while another gushed, “The best speech and the best artist.”