Why Wasn’t Forrest Frank At The Dove Awards?
Christian artist Forrest Frank won multiple honors at the 2025 Dove Awards, although he didn’t attend the ceremony to accept them.
On October 6, Frank uploaded a video explaining why he chose to skip this year’s Dove Awards. The ceremony was filmed on October 7, and it aired on TBN on October 10.
“As Christians, it’s hard to know the line in the sand between being in the world and not of the world,” Frank said. “And as a Christian artist, I dress kind of like the world, I kind of look like the world. My music can kind of sound like the world. So where’s the line in the sand drawn?“
He added, “I’m convicted, personally, that a line that I can draw us that, I will not receive a trophy for something that is from Jesus and for Jesus.”
Frank said he “was wrestling” with this idea last year when he won two Dove Awards, including the award for New Artist of the Year. He did attend 2024’s ceremony, but after “struggling with the concept of receiving [the] award,” he opted not to attend this year. “I have decided to take a stance of non-participation,” he said.
Watch Frank explain why he missed the Dove Awards below.
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Despite skipping the ceremony, Frank still received three Dove Awards this year. His song “YOUR WAY’S BETTER” won Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year. His album, CHILD OF GOD, won Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year.
Additionally, Frank won the night’s top honor, Artist of the Year. You can find the complete list of Dove Award winners here.
Although Frank has not responded to his Dove Award wins as of press time, he did share some big news with his fans. On October 12, he announced that he and his wife, Grace, are expecting their second child.
Other Celebrities, Including Jelly Roll And Sadie Robertson, Chime In On Forrest Frank’s Decision
Frank’s video about skipping the Dove Awards led to a lot of discussion online. Famous figures, such as Jelly Roll and Duck Dynasty‘s Sadie Robertson, chimed in with their perspectives on his decision.
Robertson, who has participated in many Christian-based awards shows in the past and once co-hosted the Dove Awards (plus hosted The K-LOVE Fan Awards last year), offered her thoughts. She shared her belief that every Christian can have their own personal convictions, like Frank.
“But just because he feels that personal conviction does not mean that the Dove Awards or anyone who goes to them or chooses to accept an award is doing anything wrong,” Robertson wrote.
Robertson also shared her belief that Christian-based awards shows set an example of what all awards shows should look like. Additionally, she said these shows have the power to spread God’s word even further, as they introduce large audiences to faith-based programs, music, podcasts, or books they may have never encountered before.
Jelly Roll, who performed during this year’s Dove Awards and won multiple awards for his “Hard Fought Hallelujah” collaboration with Brandon Lake, also offered his perspective. He left two comments on Frank’s video.
This is an interesting take – I [dig] it,” he wrote, before posing a question. “how do you think this compares as profiting from the same music. I love that you said ‘I don’t want to get a trophy for something that’s from Jesus for Jesus’ which is awesome – but also make MILLIONS of dollars doing that same thing that is From Jesus for Jesus.“
In his next comment, Jelly Roll wrote, “Won’t receive trophy for something from Jesus for Jesus but will take the profits from something from Jesus for Jesus. Maybe [I’m] missing something here lol.”
Head below to see the comments Jelly Roll left on Forrest Frank’s Dove Awards video.
