Jelly Roll has opened up about the profound impact addiction has wrought upon his family, baring his soul during a poignant appearance on the March 26th episode of the "The Pivot" podcast. The 40-year-old country crooner, whose voice carries both pain and resilience, recounted his heart-wrenching reaction to the news of his ex-partner's arrest for drug possession, a harrowing event confirmed by the Washington County, Tennessee Sheriff’s Office. This ex-partner is the mother of their 16-year-old daughter, Bailee Ann. (Us Weekly has reached out to her legal representation for comment.)
"It shattered my daughter's heart," Jelly Roll confided to cohosts Ryan Clark, Channing Crowder, and Fred Taylor, his voice catching with emotion. "Imagine being a 16, almost 17-year-old girl who's long been aware of her mother's battle with addiction, but then having to confront her mugshot in the news..." Struggling to maintain composure, Jelly Roll reflected on the complexity of his daughter's plight, recognizing her youth and lack of coping mechanisms.
"I'm 40, I've been through extensive therapy, done the inner work, and forged a strong relationship with God. It hurt me deeply, but I had the tools to prayerfully move past it," he said, his voice trembling. "But Bailee Ann, she's just 16. She doesn't have those resources yet. She's still building them. This news cuts her deeply."
Despite having no personal phone, Jelly Roll learned of his ex's legal woes through a concerned acquaintance who urged him to check on his daughter. The singer couldn't help but ponder if his public figure status had amplified the reach of these distressing headlines.
"I've welcomed the world into our personal space, so I must accept the consequences that come with that level of transparency," he admitted. "This is more my fault than anyone else's, but I'm grateful I can discuss it openly."
Jelly Roll's journey to fatherhood began behind bars when he was just 23, upon learning of Bailee Ann's birth. That moment served as a catalyst for his life transformation. In 2016, he married Bunnie XO, and together, they were granted full custody of Bailee Ann due to her mother's ongoing struggle with addiction.
"As a teenager, I've moved forward," Bailee Ann had shared in the Hulu documentary, Jelly Roll: Save Me. "I've processed my childhood traumas. But that doesn't erase them. They've shaped who I am today."
During his recent podcast interview, Jelly Roll emphasized that addiction casts a wide net of suffering, impacting countless families and turning them into unwitting victims of this relentless disease. "My daughter's mother has grappled with drug addiction since Bailee Ann's birth," he somberly noted. "I've witnessed firsthand the toll it's taken on her. In scenarios like these, the addict isn't solely the victim. The family is too, deeply affected. Of course, the addict suffers too, ensnared by their illness."
