'I had to zoom out': Machine Gun Kelly opens up about her journey to sobriety at the 2024 People's Choice Country Awards

Machine Gun Kelly gave a stunning closing performance for the 2024 People's Choice Country Awards at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville on Thursday, September 26. The rapper gave a rousing rendition of his hit song “Lonely Road,” which won the People's Choice Country Award as took home best crossover song of 2024.

In an interview with PEOPLE at the People's Choice Country Awards, where he appeared as both a performer and a nominee, MGK opened up about his sober journey and highlighted a major mental shift.

“I had to zoom out and look at myself from a holistic perspective,” he explained. Kelly struggled with the problems and curses passed down to him from generation to generation, but he found solace in his resolve to be a good man for his daughter Casie.

The Emo Girl singer believes he found the solution when he realized his job was to be a good man. “I find comfort in knowing that I can punish myself today so I can forgive myself tomorrow,” Kelly says.

The rapper further told the outlet, “I would die for my daughter who I love with all my heart. And I have a wonderful life, a wonderful family and a wonderful circle of friends. And I'm no longer too dazed to miss it.

In a podcast interview in August, 34-year-old MGK revealed that he was “completely sober from everything.” This happened during an appearance on Bunnie Xo's “Dumb Blonde.”

MGK and Jelly Roll's first song together, Lonely Road, was released in July. It's a fresh take on John Denver's timeless song “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” The song's music video features guest appearances from Jelly Roll's wife Bunnie Xo and MGK's fiancé Megan Fox.

In the video, MGK and Jelly portray two men struggling with infertility, financial difficulties and emotional obstacles while trying to support their families. At the end of the video, Fox is shown holding a baby while visiting MGK's character in prison.

Kelly's performance was just one of the evening's many highlights, which included performances from The War and Treaty, Brad Paisley, Miranda Lambert, Kane Brown, Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Lady A and Parker McCollum.

ALSO READ: People's Choice Country Awards 2024: Machine Gun Kelly performs 'Lonely Road' after winning Best Crossover