Jelly Roll is opening his heart and sharing an emotional moment about his daughter, Bailee Ann, and the toll her birth mother’s addiction has had on their family.
In an intimate conversation on The Pivot podcast, the 40-year-old “Save Me” singer got real about the hardships his 16-year-old daughter has faced due to her biological mother’s ongoing battle with drug addiction. Recently, Bailee’s mother made headlines after being arrested for drug possession in Tennessee, and Jelly Roll admitted that learning about her arrest was a devastating moment for Bailee.
“My child’s mother has struggled with addiction ever since Bailee was born. It’s tough,” Jelly Roll shared with a solemn tone. “The addict is never the victim. It’s the family who feels the pain.”
Jelly Roll revealed that he learned about the arrest through a news report and was urged to check in on Bailee. The news of her mother’s arrest, involving methamphetamine, broke his daughter’s heart once again.
“It’s hard to watch,” Jelly Roll continued, his voice quivering with emotion. “She’s 16. She knows what her mother is going through, but seeing her mugshot with meth on her face? It just destroys her. And it destroys me to see that.”
Reflecting on the experience, Jelly admitted that despite his own growth and recovery through therapy and spirituality, it was still incredibly difficult for him to witness his daughter suffer. “I’ve done a lot of work on myself. I’m 40, and I’ve had time to heal. But she’s still growing, still learning. It hurts her deeply.”
In a vulnerable moment, Jelly Roll took some responsibility for Bailee’s emotional distress, acknowledging that he feels guilty about the challenges she faces. “I invited the world into our lives, and we’ve got to take responsibility for what comes with that,” he said, speaking of his wife, Bunnie Xo. “This is my fault more than anyone else’s.”
While Bailee Ann faces these personal battles, Jelly Roll’s support remains unwavering. His commitment to his children is clear, as he balances his life as a father and public figure.
Jelly Roll, also a father to son Noah Buddy from a previous relationship, has been open about his own struggles with addiction. Just earlier this year, the “Liar” artist made headlines with a heartfelt speech urging Congress to tackle the fentanyl epidemic.
If you or someone you know is dealing with substance abuse, the SAMHSA helpline is available at 1-800-662-HELP.
Related topics:
