Jelly Roll brought raw emotion and deep compassion to the 76th Emmy Awards on Sunday night, September 15, as he performed during the show’s In Memoriam segment—a moment dedicated to honoring beloved entertainers and industry figures who passed away over the past year.
Performing his deeply personal track “I Am Not Okay,” Jelly Roll stood beneath a screen that quietly cycled through the faces of those the entertainment world has lost. From actors and directors to icons in music and comedy, the tribute was both powerful and touching.
Before the song began, the man behind the voice—Jason DeFord, better known as Jelly Roll—shared a few moving words with the audience:
As his voice filled the room, names and faces like Shannen Doherty, Richard Simmons, Gena Rowlands, Donald Sutherland, James Earl Jones, and Bob Newhart lit up the screen—each a reminder of the powerful legacies left behind.
Earlier in the evening, Jelly Roll spoke with PEOPLE and Entertainment Weekly on the red carpet, clearly in awe of the moment:
He wasn’t the only country star shining that night. Reba McEntire and her longtime friend (and Reba co-star) Melissa Peterman teamed up to present an award and walk the red carpet together. The duo, full of charm and laughs, shared memories from their sitcom days and hinted at their return to television with their new comedy, Happy’s Place.
From heartfelt performances to country stars mingling with Hollywood’s finest, it was a night that blended genres, generations, and genuine emotion.
