Why Jelly Roll Was Absent from the 2023 People's Choice Country Awards
No awards show was going to keep Jelly Roll from his fans.
Heading into the 2023 People's Choice Country Awards, the "Save Me" singer was nominated for six awards and was slated to perform his chart-topping hit. However, as viewers may've noticed, the 38-year-old was noticeably absent from the audience at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry, where the new awards show took place.
In fact, when Jelly Roll and Lainey Wilson won the Collaboration Song of 2023 prize, the Yellowstone actress took to the stage by herself. "Man, I wish he was here," she declared while holding up their shared trophy. "Jelly is one of the purest souls I have gotten to know."
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Winner of Collaboration Song of 2023!! #PCCAs pic.twitter.com/rRMyhSe1MY— People's Choice (@peopleschoice) September 29, 2023
Later in the evening, Jelly Roll was named Male Artist of 2023 and was, again, unable to take the stage to accept his prize. However, Mickey Guyton, who was presenting the category alongside Josh Ross, gave a reason for the "Son of a Sinner" crooner's absence.
"Jelly Roll couldn't be here tonight," Guyton shared with those in the crowd, including some who were seen turning and looking for the award winner. "He's literally in the middle of a show right now in Cincinnati."
Thankfully, Jelly Roll was still able to accept his prize from his concert, as his tour mate Elle King presented him the trophy as the moment streamed for PCCA attendees and viewers.
"I'm very excited to tell you that you just won the Male Artist of 2023 at the People's Choice Country Awards," King happily declared as Jelly Roll's fan cheered in response.
As Jelly Roll addressed the crowd, he admitted that he didn't think that he "had a chance at winning."
"But the Losers won again, baby," the singer noted, referencing one of his songs. "This speech has nothing to do with me and everything to do with y'all. This was fan voted. This is for the fans. It's always for the fans."
Then, from his concert, Jelly Roll closed out the night with a performance of "Save Me."
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