Papa Roach Vocalist Jacoby Shaddix Opens Up About Faith Journey: “I’m A Full-Blown Believer Now”

Papa Roach frontman Jacoby Shaddix has been increasingly candid about the personal transformation he’s experienced in recent years, revealing how sobriety ultimately led him toward embracing Christianity after decades spent navigating addiction and the pressures of the rock lifestyle.

During a recent appearance on the ‘Dumb Blonde’ podcast — hosted by Bunnie XO, the wife of country artist Jelly Roll — Shaddix spoke at length about his evolving faith and the difficult road that brought him there.

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Reflecting on the beginning of that journey, Shaddix explained that recovery became the catalyst for deeper spiritual exploration.

“I’ll tell you this: my faith walk, it’s been like a wrestling match. It started with my sobriety. I started going to meetings and going to recovery houses and stuff like that. And they’re, like, ‘You need to find God or a God of your understanding.’ And it was a journey for me for years.”

The singer admitted that faith and sobriety were once two things he actively resisted, making his current outlook something he never expected earlier in life.

“The two things I never wanted to be in my life was sober and a Christian. And here I am now — a follower, a sober guy. But it was a rocky path to find that, and a lot of failure and a lot of questioning. Turning my will over to God and following and then taking it all back… repeatedly finding myself just in that deep dark hole.”

According to Shaddix, a turning point arrived when he fully surrendered control during a deeply personal moment of desperation.

“When I finally put the bottle down… it was like that foxhole prayer, where I’m just like, ‘God, do you just hear me? Can you hear me? I need a miraculous change.’ ’Cause I kept trying to control the change in my life. And it just — the walls fell.”

He went on to describe how witnessing genuine faith through a close friend helped reshape his perspective after years of skepticism toward religion.

“I was very skeptical and very, like, ‘These church people are weird.’ And then when I saw this faith walk alive in front of me… I saw the transformation, it became alive to me. And I was less fearful of, ‘All right. I’ll try to believe.’ And then it became, like, I’m a full-blown believer now.”

Shaddix also shared that participating in Bible study has helped him reassess personal habits and relationships, saying the process has brought a sense of freedom and clarity he hadn’t previously experienced.

“The more that I purge these things and turn it over and just walk in the light, I feel like it’s the way, it’s the path. ’Cause I’ve tried the other way, the whole rock and roll lifestyle.”

Despite initially hesitating to speak publicly about religion due to concerns it might clash with rock culture expectations, Shaddix now feels compelled to share his story openly.

“I didn’t wanna share it with people, because I felt that it wasn’t edgy and it wasn’t rock and roll. But I’m not here to prove that anymore. I’d done lived it and I saw where it was taking me.”

He added that witnessing the struggles of other artists and reflecting on his own family history motivated him to pursue a different path.

“I’m trying to break that chain. I ain’t trying to repeat… I come from a long line of alcoholics, cheaters, broken people. That’s not who I am. That’s not why I’m here.”

As Shaddix continues speaking openly about recovery, faith, and personal growth, the veteran vocalist appears focused less on image and more on long-term healing — both for himself and for those who may relate to his story.

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