Jelly Roll is opening up about the impact addiction has had on his family.
During an appearance on the Wednesday, March 26, episode of “The Pivot” podcast, the country singer, 40, shared his reaction to news that his ex, with whom he welcomed 16-year-old daughter Bailee Ann, was arrested for drug possession, according to the Washington County, Tennessee Sheriff’s Office. (Us Weekly has reached out to her attorney for comment.)
“It broke my daughter’s heart,” Jelly Roll shared with cohosts Ryan Clark, Channing Crowder and Fred Taylor. “This is a 16, 17-year-old that knows her mother is a drug addict, but like, her having to see the mugshot of her mother …”
While trying to hold back tears, the “Need a Favor” singer was reminded that his daughter is still trying to understand a complicated situation.
He may have had an uncontroversial start to fatherhood, but Jelly Roll has always prioritized his family. The country singer welcomed his first child, daughter Bailee Ann, with ex-girlfriend Felicia in 2008. At the time, Jelly (real name Jason DeFord) was serving a prison sentence for a drug dealing conviction. “A guard knocks on my […]
“I’m 40, and I’ve done a lot of therapy, and I’ve done a lot of work, and I have a relationship with God that it hurt me, but I just got to pray about it and move on,” he said. “But I was like, ‘Ah, man, she’s 16, she don’t have any of those tools. She’s still gaining those tools. This hurts her.’”
Although Jelly Roll — who is also dad to 8-year-old son Noah — said he doesn’t have a phone, he still learned about his ex’s legal troubles when someone reached out and suggested he check in on his daughter.
Jelly Roll couldn’t help but wonder if his public status played a role in the news articles.
“I’ve invited the world into our living room, so I’ve just got to accept what comes with that,” he shared. “This is my fault more than anybody’s, but I’m glad I can talk about this.”
Jelly Roll was 23 years old and incarcerated when he learned of daughter Bailee Ann’s birth. The moment pushed the singer to change his life.
In 2016, Jelly Roll married Bunnie XO. The couple were eventually granted full custody of Bailee Ann due to her mother’s drug addiction.
“As a teenager, I’ve moved on,” Bailee Ann said in the Hulu documentary Jelly Roll: Save Me. “I’ve worked through my childhood. But that doesn’t make it go away. It made me who I am today.”
Bunnie Xo is laying down the law after catching husband Jelly Roll‘s daughter, Bailee, sneaking out of the family’s house. “Grounded for life jk,” Bunnie, 44, wrote via TikTok on Tuesday, May 21, sharing a video set to My Chemical Romance’s “Teenagers.” In the clip, Bunnie shook her head before the camera panned to 16-year-old […]
In his latest podcast interview, Jelly Roll reminded listeners that addiction has an impact on countless families. As a result, many become victims of the disease.
“My child’s mother has struggled with drug addiction since my daughter’s been born pretty much,” he said. “I’ve seen the effect that it’s had on her. … The addict is not the victim in that situation. The family is. The addict is too, obviously. They are a victim of their disease.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
