Jelly Roll made a surprising absence from the 59th Annual CMA Awards on November 19, 2025, held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Despite his nomination in the Musical Event of the Year category, the country-rap artist skipped country music’s biggest night. His collaboration track with Brandon Lake, “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” actually won the award. The absence raised eyebrows among fans and industry observers watching the ABC broadcast.
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🔥 Quick Facts:
- Jelly Roll skipped the November 19, 2025 CMA Awards ceremony in Nashville
- His song “Hard Fought Hallelujah” with Brandon Lake won Musical Event of the Year
- He canceled an Australia/New Zealand tour show earlier in November
- The artist opened up about struggling mentally during his overseas tour
- Lainey Wilson hosted the 59th Annual CMA Awards on ABC
Why Jelly Roll Didn’t Attend the CMA Awards
Earlier this month, Jelly Roll canceled a show in New Zealand and revealed he was in a dark place mentally. He opened up about his tour struggles during an appearance on social media. The isolation and health challenges during his overseas trip took a serious toll. With just one nomination and his mental health concerns, he decided to skip the ceremony entirely. Industry observers noted he wasn’t the only major star who stayed home. Morgan Wallen, Blake Shelton, and Post Malone also skipped the event.
“Earlier this month Jelly Roll canceled a show in New Zealand and since then he’s opened up about being in a bad place mentally.”
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The award show is held annually and attracts the biggest names in country music. However, several stars prioritized personal matters over attending. Jelly Roll‘s struggles during his grueling international tour were particularly concerning to fans across social media.
“Hard Fought Hallelujah” Wins Big at the CMA Awards
Despite Jelly Roll’s absence, the song earned recognition it deserved. “Hard Fought Hallelujah” features Brandon Lake and showcases an emotional, faith-driven collaboration. The track features impressive vocal work from both artists. The song resonates with a spiritual message that connected with voters.
| Musical Event of the Year Nominees | Artists |
|---|---|
| Hard Fought Hallelujah [WINNER] | Brandon Lake with Jelly Roll |
| Don’t Mind If I Do | Riley Green featuring Ella Langley |
| I’m Gonna Love You | Cody Johnson with Carrie Underwood |
The victory marks a significant achievement for the spiritual collaboration. Brandon Lake performed a stunning live rendition at the awards show. According to industry reports, the performance moved the crowd.
What’s Next for Jelly Roll?
Following his recent struggles, Jelly Roll has limited tour dates scheduled for the remainder of 2025. Fans hope he’ll take time to recover mentally and physically. The artist has always been vocal about his personal challenges. His transparency about mental health issues has inspired many of his followers.
- Two more scheduled performances before the new year
- Focus on personal well-being and recovery
- Continued focus on faith-based music collaborations
- Most recent chart success with “Hard Fought Hallelujah”
- Potential album or tour announcements in early 2026
Fans and colleagues in the country music community hope the artist finds peace. His honesty about touring pressures and mental health challenges has fostered deeper connections with listeners worldwide.
Did Missing the CMA Awards Hurt or Help?
The 2025 CMA Awards proved that Jelly Roll‘s presence wasn’t required for his music to win. His absence generated significant discussion on social media. Did his mental health come first? Absolutely. Did his song still triumph? Yes. The artist made the right choice prioritizing health over appearances. Sometimes the bravest move is stepping back from the spotlight.
Watch the official Musical Event of the Year performance featuring Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll:
The 59th Annual CMA Awards aired live on ABC from Nashville on November 19, 2025. Full coverage and all winners are available on CMAAwards.com.
Sources
- Taste of Country – Coverage of stars skipping 2025 CMAs
- Billboard – Complete 2025 CMA Awards winners list
- CMA Awards – Official ceremony information and performance details
Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.