At the 2024 CMT Music Awards on Sunday, April 7, Kelsea Ballerini and Jelly Roll encountered technical difficulties with the screen, sharing a relatable moment.
During the live broadcast, the duo embraced each other just as the prompter seemed to malfunction. "We have something way better I can give out right now."
"A hug from Jelly Roll," Ballerini said. "Best hug ever. It really is."
Taking center stage with Ballerini by his side, he turned to the audience and enthusiastically exclaimed, "Listen, let me tell y'all something. I'm excited to tell y'all right now...."
CMT Awards Teleprompter Malfunction
In a moment of stillness, Jelly Roll halted abruptly and glanced in his co-emcee's direction, causing the audience to fall into silence.
"I'm lost," Jelly Roll revealed, with "I Quit Drinking" singer quickly saying, "We have a friend coming out to perform."
Glancing behind her, the 30-year-old singer-songwriter sought assistance off-screen, exclaiming, "We are off prompter, help."
Despite the malfunctioning teleprompter, Jelly Roll persisted in his performance, creatively sharing, "I just wanted to hug somebody again!"
"Okay, we are going to hug each other through this," the four-time Grammy nominee singer suggested, wrapping her arm around his shoulders.
"Because one of our friends is about to perform an absolutely...."
Shortly after, they each took hold of their microphones, eagerly sharing, "Here with Country's Cool Again, give it up for... Lainey Wilson!"
Viewers commended the pair for their seamless transition despite the unexpected turn of events.
A supportive fan tweeted, "'We're off prompter help' - I adore Kelsea #CMTAwards," another viewer chimed in, "'I'm lost...' just like Jelly Roll!"
Similarly, another commenter said, "The way @JellyRoll615 embodies the feeling of being lost is just too relatable! He really captures a whole vibe. #CMTAwards"
A fourth fan said, "Can we all agree that @KelseaBallerini is the BEST host ever? #CMTAwards!"
READ ALSO: Jelly Roll Sweeps 2024 CMT Music Awards For 2 Consecutive Years
CMT Awards 2024
Hosting the star-studded awards show for the fourth time, Ballerini expressed that this may be her final time gracing the stage as the host, at least for the foreseeable future.
"It's my final year, yeah," she told Variety. "I've hosted or co-hosted this show for four years now, and I've gotten to host a lot of different kinds of ventures over the last decade - and I really enjoy it."
She went on to explain, "It was the first thing that I did outside of music really, that allowed me to ask myself the question: What else? Like, what else can I do? And I'm ready to ask myself that question again, and I really want to give myself the space to see what else there is. Never say never - I will never say that I won't come do this again. I love it. I just am excited to see what else I can do."
READ MORE: Jelly Roll and Wife Make Emergency Landing on Private Jet Following Unexpected Malfunction
