Jelly Roll Delivers Emotional Performance at Prince Harry’s Invictus Games Closing Ceremony in Vancouver
Country music sensation Jelly Roll recently brought the curtain down on Prince Harry’s Invictus Games with a moving tribute to military veterans on February 16. The event, held at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, Canada, marked the Closing Ceremony for the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025.
Taking the stage on Sunday, the Grammy-nominated artist was visibly emotional as he addressed the audience. “I am honored to stand in front of some of the greatest and strongest people across the entire world tonight,” Jelly Roll shared before beginning his performance. The 40-year-old singer, whose real name is Jason DeFord, introduced his heartfelt ballad, *I Am Not Okay*, which has earned critical acclaim and a Grammy nomination.
Jelly Roll expressed his gratitude to the organizers of the Invictus Games for allowing him to share his music, which he described as a form of therapy. “Thank you for letting me bring my form of therapeutic music here tonight to serve those who have served us across the world,” he said. Humble as ever, he acknowledged his own struggles, stating, “I’m an overweight man with a microphone,” before shifting the focus to the true heroes of the event. “The real heroes are the athletes and the families that are in this building right now,” he emphasized.
As he looked out at the crowd, Jelly Roll delivered an inspiring message to the veterans and their loved ones. “Whenever you go home after these 11 days of adrenaline and you finally sit down, and in a few months from now when the world finally comes back around, I want you to know this… If you ever hear that voice in your head saying you can’t be anything but great, it’s the voice of a liar!” he declared. He then performed his powerful song, *Liar*, leaving the audience moved and inspired.
The announcement of Jelly Roll’s performance at the Invictus Games Closing Ceremony was made last November in a lighthearted video shared on social media. The clip featured Prince Harry and the singer in a humorous exchange, building anticipation for the event.
Jelly Roll’s performance not only celebrated the resilience and strength of military veterans but also underscored the healing power of music. His heartfelt words and soulful performance left a lasting impression on everyone in attendance, making the Closing Ceremony a memorable conclusion to the 2025 Invictus Games.
