Every year, audiences around the world look forward to watching the Grammys. Though the 2026 numbers are still to be released, the 2025 ceremony attracted 15.4 million viewers, and 16.9 million in 2024.
The Grammy Awards are prestigious awards presented annually by the Recording Academy to recognize extraordinary accomplishments in the music industry. From actors and actresses to musicians and songwriters, the night is typically the “Music’s biggest night,” alongside the Oscars, Emmys, and Tonys.
This year’s Grammy Awards featured a series of acceptance speeches that stood out not for spectacle, but for sincerity. Artists used the spotlight to speak about perseverance, accountability, community, and the people who believed in them along the way. Jelly Roll’s remarks about redemption and responsibility struck a chord, while other speakers emphasized gratitude, growth, and the importance of staying grounded despite success. Together, these moments reminded viewers that character, resilience, and compassion often leave a longer legacy than awards themselves
Why do moments of honesty, humility, and gratitude resonate so deeply — especially when they come from people who have walked hard roads and found their way forward?
Beyond the glitz and glam of the awards, the show typically includes speeches, acknowledgements, and surprises. This year was no different. While the Grammys often dazzle with performances and fashion, this year’s most memorable moments came from heartfelt words spoken from the stage. Let’s take a look at the 3 most memorable speeches:
Photo Credit: Gettty Images / Christopher Polk / Contributor
1. Jelly Roll Show’s Redemption and Responsibility
Topping charts at #1, Jelly Roll(Jason DeFord) was awarded the 2026 Grammys for Church With His Inaugural Best Contemporary Country Album Win. In his Jesus-filled speech, the transformed singer wasn’t afraid to credit Jesus, his wife, and his fans. After this, he took a bold stance and shared the Gospel:
“There was a time in my life, y’all, that I was broken. That’s why I wrote this album,” Jelly Roll said. “I didn’t think I had a chance, y’all. There was days that I thought the darkest things. I was a horrible human.”
Holding up his Bible, he noted, “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.”
“And I believe that those two things could change my life,” Jelly Roll said. “I believe that music had the power to change my life. And God had the power to change my life. Jesus is for everybody.”
With immense humility, love, and responsibility, DeFord knew that such a speech could get him kicked off the stage, but that didn’t hold him back:
“I know they’re going to try to kick me off here, so just let me try to get this out. First of all, Jesus, I hear you, and I’m listening, Lord.”
In the face of fame and success, are we as committed? Can we say, Lord, I’m listening? Will people see our genuine faith or a facade we’re trying to uphold? Will we allow God to use our past as a testimony, or be too afraid to share it? In moments of vulnerability about past mistakes, accountability, and the journey toward growth, let us, too, show redemption and responsibility.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Jason Davis/Stringer
2. Brandon Lake Boldly Sells Out to Jesus
With Jelly Roll taking home one award for the faith, it’s no surprise that Brandon Lake took home another. Earlier this year, the dynamic duo recorded “Hard-Fought Hallelujah,” reaching millions of listeners through downloads, live performances, and re-posts. In his speech, Lake gave an emotional Grammy acceptance speech on behalf of receiving the Best Contemporary Christian Music award.
In a sold-out speech to Jesus, Lake didn’t hold back. After thanking God first and the blessing of creating music second, he declared these words:
“This song is a testimony of what Jesus has done in my life.”
Since its release on November 8th, 2024, "Hard Fought Hallelujah" has been widely applauded for its emotion, sincerity, and blend of country, gospel, and contemporary Christian styles. Lake also gave credit and gratitude to Jelly Roll for “taking the chance on this song, taking a chance on me,” Lake shared. But even in this, Lake shifted the message back to God:
"I’ve gotten countless messages of how this song has literally saved people’s lives and pointed them to Jesus. If it wasn’t for Jesus, I don’t know where I would be, y’all.”
Closing his speech with a passage from John 16:33, Lake acknowledged that while this world might be crazy right now, “He’s overcome, so that means we can too through Christ.”
Today, when given the opportunity, are we sold out for Jesus? Do we overcome knowing that the blood of the Lamb and the Word of our testimony hold power to help others heal? Just some questions to wrestle with.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Terry Wyatt/Stringer
3. Cici Winans Speaks God’s Word
Cici Winans, a popular Gospel singer known for “Goodness of God,” “Believe For It,” “Come Jesus Come,” “That’s My King,” and “Holy Forever,” was awarded a Grammy for Best Gospel Performance/Song for 'Come Jesus Come,' featuring Shirley Caesar. In a post on socials, Winans wasn’t shy about giving credit where credit was due: “Honoured to sing about Jesus all over the world," said Winans.
Upon acknowledging her gratitude for the award, Winans also thanked her Pastor, the organization, and the truth of the Gospel that her songs proclaim:
"Thank you, Grammys, for helping Pastor Caesar and me spread the truths of this song even further."
In addition to Winans' win, the following artists were nominated for Best Gospel Performance/Song:
-Do It Again-Kirk Franklin; Kirk Franklin, songwriter
-Church-Tasha Cobbs Leonard, John Legend; Anthony S. Brown, Brunes Charles, Annatoria Chitapa, Kenneth Leonard, Jr., Tasha Cobbs Leonard & Jonas Myrin, songwriters
-Still-Jonathan McReynolds & Jamal Roberts; Britney Delagraentiss, Jonathan McReynolds, David Lamar Outing II, Orlando Joel Palmer & Terrell Demetrius Wilson, songwriters
-Amen-Pastor Mike Jr.; Adia Andrews, Michael McClure Jr., David Lamar Outing II & Terrell Anthony Pettus, songwriters
Photo Credit: ©Dove Awards 2024
Setting the Stage to Our Make Everyday Lives Meaningful
In each of these three wins, I hope you see a common trend: authenticity. Not only do audiences gravitate towards and better engage with those who are humble, gracious, and relatable, but they also want to hear from people who are real. Yes, each of these “stars” has achieved “famous” status, but they’re inspiring because they’re authentic. Sharing their public struggles and thanks make their achievements all the more well-earned and meaningful.
Today, you and I don’t need to be famous to reflect conversations and lives that are honest, humble, and real. It’s good and healthy to share the hard roads you’ve walked as a Christian. In fact, culture longs to hear it. They’re hungry for vulnerability and truth. Realness in a media obsessed with filters.
I don’t know that you or I will ever obtain a Grammy in our lifetime, but I do know that we can make our lives meaningful by living with character, resilience, and compassion. Those qualities will leave a lasting legacy, whether we’re popular or famous or not. Recognition this side of Heaven is fleeting. But how we handle success, failure, and gratitude, whatever that looks like, has a longer impact. Be sincere. Be yourself. Give God glory in how you live your life. But especially following a night of glitter, fame, and gold, remember that words spoken from the heart will echo the longest. And credit given to Jesus is always credit due.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Mike Powell
Originally published Monday, 02 February 2026.