Jelly Roll was in for a surprise at the 2024 Country Music Association Awards!
While hitting the red carpet at an event in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 20, the country star, 39, ran into several PEOPLE reporters who had his cover story this week.
“This is my first one I’ve seen in person!” Jelly said as she raced over to get a better look. “Let’s go, baby! Oh my god, man.”
With the magazine in hand, the “I Am Not Okay” singer told PEOPLE, “Every airport, every grocery store I’ve ever walked into pretty much had one of those.”
See all of PEOPLE’s complete CMA Awards here.
He admitted guiltily that he didn’t always buy the magazine, but “I would always flip through them. You can catch me in public to this day getting the news, right here with PEOPLE.”
Jelly went on to joke about the star faces surrounding him on the cover, saying: “Who would have thought I’d be on the cover of something and the Duke of Sussex would be in the corner of that cover?”
The Grammy nominee added, “This is unreal. I’m honored.”
After expressing his disbelief and gratitude at his recent weight loss, the star also revealed he was “so nervous” he “almost threw up” while rehearsing for the show.
“I was so overwhelmed by what was happening. I’m afraid it will happen again when I get out,” he said, later adding, “Thank you PEOPLE for taking the time to share my story… I hope this is a beacon of hope for a second chance for people everywhere.
CMA Awards 2024: Live updates, red carpet arrivals and more moments
In the cover story, Jelly talked about the healing power of music and how it was his inspiration while writing songs. He released his tenth studio album in October Beautifully broken, which reached number 1 on Billboard 200 chart.
“Every album is a labor of love, and the day it’s not, I’ll quit. It’s that easy,” he said. “Sure, there are things I do in my career that feel like work, and I don’t like that word. That’s why I got into the music business! But writing a song was never one of those things. I never once looked at my calendar and saw ‘Songwriting session’ and I said, ‘F—, I’ve got so much other s— to do today.’ I usually say, ‘Oh yeah, I can exorcise some of these demons.’ ”
Taylor Frankie Paul goes all glitz and glamor in a tight sequined dress at the 2024 CMA Awards.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Jelly is nominated for a total of three awards at the CMAs, including Entertainer of the Year and Album of the Year for his LP 2023. Whitsitt Chapel and male vocalist of the year.
The 58th Annual CMA Awards air live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Wednesday, November 20 from 8-11pm on ABC. The show airs the next day on Hulu.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education