Country singer Jelly Roll has been vocal about his life before fame, including his countless run-ins with the law. The “Son of a Sinner” artist gave fans more insight into his past during his Hulu documentary Jelly Roll: Save Me, including the moment he turned his life around after his daughter, Bailee Ann, was born in 2008. Fans are naturally curious about the musician’s life as a father.
Biography of Jelly Roll
| Full Name | Jason Bradley DeFord |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | December 4, 1984 |
| Birthplace | Nashville, Tennessee, USA |
| Children | Bailee Ann DeFord, Noah DeFord |
| Career Start | 2010 |
| Genres | Country, Hip Hop |
Jelly Roll's life has been anything but ordinary. He grew up in a challenging environment, which contributed to his tumultuous early years. During this time, he faced numerous legal issues, leading to his incarceration. However, the pivotal moment in his life came when he learned about the birth of his daughter, Bailee, while he was still in jail.
In a heartfelt reflection shared in his documentary, Jelly Roll expressed how fatherhood was a transformative experience for him. He acknowledged that becoming a parent made him realize the importance of putting someone else's needs before his own. This moment of clarity marked the beginning of his journey toward redemption and responsibility.
Fatherhood: How Many Kids Does Jelly Roll Have?
Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord, found out that his daughter was born while he was in jail in 2008. According to records from the Davidson County, Tennessee, Criminal Court Clerk, DeFord was convicted for possession with intent to distribute, having been found with cocaine on his person. He was arrested on October 17, 2008, and sentenced to eight years behind bars. His stay was eventually suspended. The Nashville native may have entered parenthood while he was incarcerated, but the birth of Bailee “changed his life.”
“On more than one occasion, my daughter was a divine intervention in my life,” he said in the documentary. “I think I lived an extremely selfish life until that moment. I made a promise with her that I had to be there for her. It’s almost like something clicked right then.”
Later, Jelly Roll welcomed his son, Noah, in 2016, but has kept his life private to respect his mother’s wishes. He has shared that being a father is incredibly important to him, stating that it has changed “everything” about his life.
“Man, the single most impactful event of my entire life was having my daughter,” he said. “Being a father is so important to me, and just being as present as I can for her. I compare it to the Christian scripture of when Saul turned into Paul on the Damascus Road. It was kind of that moment for me.”
Custody and Relationships
It’s unknown if the CMT Award winner has custody of his son, and he has yet to reveal the identity of Noah’s mother. However, Jelly Roll has opened up about his relationship with Bailee’s mother, Felicia, on several occasions.
During the documentary, the “Save Me” singer explained how he had to go to court to visit Bailee because he was “traveling so much” in an attempt to skyrocket his music career. He candidly admitted, “I was a very less-than-present father. Not to mention, I was drinking myself to sleep every night.”
Jelly Roll regained custody of his daughter in 2016 with his wife Bunnie XO (real name Bunnie DeFord) after Bailee’s mother struggled with heroin addiction. “We’re proud of her, but it was really rough on Bailee. And it really helped me straighten my s–t out because it made me realize how important it was for me to be there for her,” he admitted.
The “Need a Favor” singer has praised his wife for being an extraordinary stepmother to Bailee and thanked her for being a strong parent figure. He shared, “It takes a special kind of woman to raise a kid that isn’t her child and still treat the child as if she was.”
Impact on His Children
Bailee appeared in the documentary and explained her relationship with her father and mother, who is now sober after her six-year battle with drugs. She reflected, “I had an extra, interesting, traumatic childhood. They’re important reasons for why my mom is in my life now and is sober.”
As a teenager, Bailee mentioned, “I’ve worked through my childhood. But that doesn’t make it go away. It made me who I am today.” Jelly Roll’s journey through fatherhood has not only been a path of redemption for him but also a source of strength and resilience for his children.
Through their shared experiences, Jelly Roll and his children have built a bond that reflects growth, love, and understanding, proving that even the most challenging circumstances can lead to beautiful outcomes.
